Bladder infections are unpleasant and annoying. Women in particular are often affected by this, especially in the cold season. But with simple tips you can prevent bladder infections.
Nobody likes a bladder infection. It manifests itself as painful urination, abdominal pain and a frequent urge to urinate. Women are usually affected more often, but men can also suffer from cystitis. A normal bladder infection that is treated with home remedies goes away in about a week. However, it is even better to prevent a bladder infection.
Prevent cystitis: drink enough
Bacteria such as Escherichia coli (also known as E. coli) are mainly responsible for urinary tract infections such as bladder infections. To prevent the bacteria from multiplying in your bladder, it is important that you drink a lot.
When you drink enough fluids, your bladder is flushed and the bacteria leave your body. To do this, you should drink around 1.5 liters of fluid a day. Water and unsweetened tea are particularly suitable. Coffee and alcohol do not count towards your fluid balance.
You can also support your bladder with medicinal plants. Some have a diuretic effect, helping to flush your urinary tract, or have an antibacterial effect. These plants are particularly suitable for preventing bladder infections or treating initial symptoms:
- Birch leaves
- Bearberry leaves
- Goldenrod
- Field horsetail
- Cranberries
Prevent cystitis by going to the toilet regularly
Go to the bathroom regularly to prevent bacteria from growing in your bladder. Four to seven bladder emptyings throughout the day are considered normal – if you don’t drink a lot. According to urologists, you should not ignore your urge to urinate, as pathogens that cause cystitis can accumulate and multiply in the urine.
Going to the toilet is particularly important after sexual intercourse in order to flush the urethra of foreign bacteria. This can also prevent bladder infections.
Prevent cystitis through proper hygiene
As simple and banal as it may sound, proper hygiene is essential if you want to prevent bladder infections and other urinary tract infections:
- To prevent E. coli bacteria from stool from entering your urethra, wipe from front to back with toilet paper.
- You should change your underwear every day. The fit and material of the underwear are also important. Underpants that are too big or small slip and irritate the skin, which also helps bacteria to settle and multiply. You should also choose breathable cotton underpants and wash them at 60 degrees. Polyester underpants, on the other hand, promote an environment in which bacteria can multiply easily. They also release microplastics into the water when washed and thus harm the environment.
- Only use lukewarm water to clean your intimate area. To protect the sensitive environment in your intimate area, you should avoid shaving foams or intimate rinses that contain preservatives. If you want, you can use pH-neutral soap.
Prevent cystitis with heat
Your grandmother was right: cold promotes bladder infections. The pelvic area and feet in particular are vulnerable to cold and are directly linked to bladder health. That’s why you should make sure to always keep your abdomen, feet and hands warm if you want to prevent a bladder infection. Wool socks and kidney warmers can be very helpful in winter. However, the cold is not the only cause of a bladder infection.
However, you should avoid sitting on cold surfaces for long periods of time. If you cool down quickly in the kidney area, you can warm yourself up with a hot water bottle.
In the swimming pool, you should make sure to change your wet towels quickly if you want to prevent or avoid a bladder infection. Bacteria that cause bladder infections feel particularly comfortable in a moist environment.
Strengthen the immune system to prevent cystitis
To deal with the germs and bacteria in your bladder, you need a strong immune system. A weakened immune system can also promote a bladder infection. How to strengthen your health and prevent cystitis:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- You should also get enough sleep and maintain a regular sleep rhythm.
- Try to avoid stress – whether at work or in your private life. Stress can weaken the immune system.
If you follow these instructions, you can effectively prevent bladder infections. If you still notice the first symptoms of a bladder infection, you can relieve your symptoms with, for example, an intimate steam bath or other home remedies.
If you want to permanently prevent a bladder infection because you are constantly struggling with the annoying infection, you can also get vaccinated against it.
If you suffer from a bladder infection, you should see a doctor at the latest when you notice blood in your urine.
Edited by Lea Hermann
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