Interstitial Cystitis Natural Remedies - If Interstitial Cystitis is not managing timely and with right procedure then it turns to chronic stage. The bladder is a stretchable oval chamber in the lower abdomen that is part of the urinary tract, which also includes the kidneys, ureters and urethra. Its main purpose is to store urine. The kidneys remove extra water and wastes from the blood and convert them to urine. The ureters are narrow tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine is emptied out of the body from the bladder through the urethra.
Interstitial Cystitis is an infection caused by bacteria that enter the opening of the urethra and spread to the bladder. Chronic, or persistent, IC occurs when a patient does not respond to the usual treatment for cystitis, has a case that lasts longer than 2 weeks, or has repeated cases of infection more than twice in a 6-month span. In non-chronic, or acute, cases of cystitis, symptoms normally improve within 2 days after treatment begins.
The bacteria that cause cystitis enter the urethral opening from the skin around the anus or genitals in various ways, such as wiping from back to front after using the toilet or having a urinary catheter, or tube, placed in the bladder to drain urine from the body. Sexual intercourse can trigger UTIs in some women, as can the use of a diaphragm for birth control. Being pregnant or having certain diseases such as diabetes, HIV, cancer and sickle cell anemia also increases the risk of developing cystitis, as does having urinary tract abnormalities or blockages or prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
The most common symptoms of chronic cystitis include burning or pain when urinating; a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen; cloudy, bloody or odd-smelling urine; frequent and sometimes intense urges to urinate; fever and general discomfort; lower back or abdominal pain and an inability to urinate despite the urge to go. Other symptoms may include incontinence (involuntary loss of urine), nausea and vomiting, and mental changes or confusion in the elderly.
Antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that cause cystitis. The type of drug prescribed and the length of treatment depend on the type of bacteria and other factors such as your age, sex and general health condition. Medications used include amoxicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,
fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin and doxycycline. Frequently, low-dose antibiotics may be prescribed for 6 months to 2 years to prevent repeat infections. In some cases, physicians recommend single antibiotic doses to be taken after sexual intercourse as a preventive measure.
To make sure your infection clears up completely and prevent a kidney infection, you should take your medication as directed and finish the entire supply, even though you may feel better before you have completed your prescription.
If a urinary tract abnormality is causing the chronic cystitis, corrective surgery may also be needed.
Your doctor may schedule a follow-up exam to test your urine after treatment is finished to confirm that the bacterial infection is gone. Be sure to call your doctor if your symptoms worsen or you develop additional symptoms.
