Cystitis has now become chronic.

I woke up at 5 a.m. on Friday with lower abdominal pain. Since then, I have experienced intermittent pain and visited the hospital. I was diagnosed with cystitis and am on the third day of medication.

 

First. What is chronic cystitis?

If cystitis recurs more than three times a year, it is considered chronic. I often get cystitis when I am stressed or my immune system is weakened.

 

Second. What are the symptoms of cystitis?

Those who frequently experience bladder infections will know. The typical symptoms are pain during urination, a feeling of residual urine after urination, frequent urination, and lower abdominal pain. I don't have pain or symptoms during urination, but I first experienced lower abdominal pain.

 

Third. What is the diagnosis of cystitis?

A diagnosis is made if bacteria are observed after a urine test.

 

Fourth. How is cystitis treated?

The standard antibiotic treatment is 3 days, but I received a 5-day supply, and due to severe side effects from tramadol, I switched to Tylenol for pain relief. After consulting with the pharmacist, I was told I could take the other medications without Tylenol when the pain subsides, so I have been taking the other medications without Tylenol since this morning. The antibiotics are only taken in the morning and evening, totaling 10 doses.

 

Fifth. What are the management methods that can be done at home?

The most important thing is to take all prescribed antibiotics without stopping them arbitrarily. If the treatment is not properly completed, problems with the kidneys such as pyelonephritis can occur. Next, it is to consume more than 1.5 liters of fluids per day. Since it's winter, the amount of water intake has decreased significantly. Because I often drink warm tea, starting from Friday, I plan to drink plenty of lukewarm water to flush out bladder inflammation. There is also a recommendation to drink cranberry juice, but since it is for prevention, it is necessary to drink it regularly, which is difficult. After full recovery this time, I plan to make it a routine to drink it consistently.