Health What really helps against a bladder infection

Urologist explains the most important tips against folk suffering cystitis
Although a bladder infection is often associated with cold, but also in the summer months, many people get sick. Patients often resort to antibiotics. Often, however, simple natural remedies can relieve the symptoms. A urologist has important information about the subject in an interview.

Bladder infections mainly affect women
Although the disease is usually associated with the cold season, you can catch a bladder infection in the summer. Typical signs of a disease are mainly urinary symptoms, such as burning and pain. Although men can also get sick, according to health experts, up to 95 of those affected are female. Nearly every second woman suffers from cystitis at least once in her life. For quite a few, the painful infection of the urinary tract returns again and again. Then it is important to know what helps with cystitis. In a report of the media portal "derwesten.de", the spokesman of the Professional Association of German Urologists, Dr. med. Wolfgang Bühmann, important topic.

Nearly every second woman suffers from cystitis at least once in her life. A urologist has valuable tips on what to do about it. (Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com)

Cold floors and wet bathing clothes can promote inflammation
A chronic cystitis does not exist according to the experts. However, the inflammations can be recurring, doctors call this "relapsing". Most affected are women, in Germany an estimated ten million. On the question of the causes, Buhmann answers: "What is relevant above all is a local immunodeficiency, for which some are especially vulnerable. You sit on a cold stone or a wall, it comes to a hypothermia, the circulation in the pelvic area decreases and the local defense is weakened, the bacteria that can lead to cystitis, can multiply. "

But not only cold soils can catch the bladder. Even the start of wet bathing suits and swimwear after swimming can promote cystitis. Often enter intestinal germs such as E. coli for the inflammation. These can get into the urethra, among other things due to incorrect cleaning after defecation. With the meaningful Intimhygiene some tips should be considered. In this context, health experts repeatedly point to the principle "from the front to the back". Buhmann explains: "It has to be wiped away from the genital area, from bottom to top, not the other way around."

Cystitis after intercourse
According to Bühmann, transmission of the bacteria during sexual intercourse from man to woman almost never occurs. When a woman comes to a bladder infection after sex, often a fling is suspected of the man behind it. But cheating is not the cause. Because the mechanical movement of bacteria from the vagina are transported towards the urethra, it is irrelevant in terms of cystitis, whether a condom is used or not. The urologist advises women to let water after the traffic. So the bacteria in the urethra can not hold on. In addition, according to the physician, there is a prescription drug that can be taken after sex.

The expert assesses natural remedies such as cranberry, pumpkin seed and more critically: "Only for very few substances that are given without a prescription in the pharmacy, the effectiveness is proven," said Buhmann. "So far the only over-the-counter substance that has been proven to be effective are mustard oils. They are made from horseradish and nasturtium. "Great hopes are also placed in the so-called D-mannose. Studies have already shown initial successes achieved with this natural sugar.

It does not always have to be antibiotics
It does not always have to be an antibiotic. Antibiotics are prescribed way too often anyway. In many cases, simple home remedies for bladder infections help. For example, 80 percent of bladder infections would be cured by ample fluid intake and heat within a week. In extreme pain, flank pain or blood in the urine, but a doctor should definitely decide whether an antibiotic is useful. Finally, Bühmann explains possibilities for immunization: "There is the so-called Strovac vaccine, it contains killed bacterial species, which often cause bladder infections," says the urologist. Urovaxom tablets work similarly. However, the proof of efficacy is still pending, which is why neither vaccine nor tablets are paid by the health insurance. According to Bühmann, many women benefit from immunization through an unspecific defense enhancement. (Ad)