5 Easy Home Remedies For Cystitis & Bladder Health

May 28, 2024

Cystitis is a urinary tract infection (UTI) that causes inflammation of the bladder. It is usually triggered by E. coli bacteria and is especially common in women due to having a shorter urethra, with around 50% of women experiencing bacterial cystitis at some point in their life.

The infection can cause unpleasant symptoms, including a burning or stinging sensation when urinating, needing to pee more often than usual and generally feeling unwell. As it’s caused by a bacterial infection, some people will need antibiotics.

However, cystitis will normally clear up on its own within a few days with over-the-counter treatments and natural remedies for bladder health, including deliciousNovomins Gummies.

Read on to discover the symptoms and causes of cystitis as well as the most effective home remedies for a bladder infection or UTI.

Symptoms of cystitis

Common symptoms and signs of cystitis include:

Pain, burning or stinging when urinating
Needing to urinate more often or more urgently than usual
Passing only a small amount of urine despite an urgency to go to the bathroom
Urine that’s cloudy, strong-smelling or contains blood
Pelvic discomfort, pain or pressure in the lower abdomen
Backache
A low-grade fever

Causes of cystitis

Cystitis is usually caused by a UTI when bacteria enter the bladder. While there are multiple causes of cystitis, it's most commonly caused by bacteria from faeces getting into the urethra. Other factors that increase the chance of developing cystitis include:

Sex
Urinary catheters
Constipation
Menopause
Spermicides
Pregnancy
Kidney stones
Diabetes
Men with an enlarged prostate gland
A weakened immune system

Home remedies for cystitis: how to treat cystitis at home

Probiotics

Research has found that probiotics, the good bacteria in your microbiome, help prevent and treat cystitis. That’s because we don’t only have bacteria living in our gut but also in other more intimate areas, like the bladder and the vagina.

Studies show that lactobacillus strains, in particular, support a healthy urinary microbiome and can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that can lead to UTIs like cystitis. One trial, in particular, found a reduction in recurring UTIs from 47% to 21%.

Therefore, supplementing daily with probiotics like Novomins Women’s Bio-Gummies Gummies – with over 50 billion CFU – can be an effective natural treatment for cystitis. They encourage friendly bacteria to grow and prevent bad bacteria from taking over the urinary tract. This differs from antibiotics, which kill both friendly and unfriendly bacteria.

Image of a bottle of Novomins Women’s Bio-Bac Gummies.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well-known for its immune-boosting properties, meaning it can help your body fight off the bacteria that cause cystitis by increasing immune function.

While more research still needs to be done, some studies show that vitamin C can inhibit the growth of E.coli — the bacteria that most commonly causes cystitis — and that large amounts of it can acidify urine by limiting the growth of certain bacteria.

Novomins Vitamin C Gummies are made with a potent blend of vitamin C, vitamin B, elderberry, rosehip, selenium and zinc to support and strengthen the immune system. They come in a delicious orange flavour to make daily supplementation enjoyable and easily fit into even the busiest daily routines.

Cranberry & D-Mannose

Possibly one of the most well-known natural remedies for the bladder, cranberries have long been used to treat UTIs. That's because they contain proanthocyanidins that prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder's walls, making them a go-to home remedy.

Research shows that a daily 240-300 ml dose of cranberry can reduce bacteria and prevent up to 50% of UTI recurrences. Another study displayed promising results, finding that cranberry capsules lowered the risk of UTIs by 50%. Cranberries are also naturally rich in vitamin C, which also prevents UTIs.

Prevent cystitis with Novomins Cranberry & D Mannose Gummies that have been specially formulated to boost urinary tract health, provide UTI support and reduce the recurrence of cystitis symptoms.

Bicarbonate of soda

It's thought that bicarbonate of soda can help maintain bladder health by alkalising urine. By neutralising your urine's acidity, the theory is that it inhibits bacterial growth, allowing your body to fight the bacteria on its own.

However, in some cases, bicarbonate of soda could cause more harm than good. It's not recommended for those with heart problems or high blood pressure, and unfortunately, there isn't much scientific research proving that baking soda can successfully treat cystitis.

Drinking plenty of water

Increasing fluid intake is a common recommendation for anyone with a UTI, including cystitis, to help flush the infection out of their bladder.

While it’s not helpful for everyone, one study shows that an increase in daily water intake reduces the risk of recurrent cystitis in premenopausal women. But while drinking plenty of water can help, it doesn’t always and shouldn’t be relied on as a sole treatment method.

Things to consider when using home remedies for cystitis

Home remedies for bladder infections in women

Women are much more likely to get cystitis and other UTIs than men, as their urethra are much shorter. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder, causing an infection.

It’s also common for older women to experience frequent recurrences of cystitis, with menopause increasing the risk due to hormonal changes.

One home remedy for bladder infections in females is D-mannose — a compound that’s related to sugar and is often used to treat and prevent UTIs. Bacteria bind to D-mannose instead of urinary tract cells, allowing them to be flushed out when peeing.

Novomins Cranberry & D-Mannose Gummies are doctor-formulated and contain 400 mg of D-mannose and 600 mg of cranberry extract per serving to promote a healthy urinary tract by cleansing and maintaining the health of the bladder lining.

Image of a bottle of Novomins Cranberry & D-Mannose Gummies.

Home remedies for bladder infections while pregnant

An untreated UTI can lead to premature labour. Needless to say, it’s crucial to tackle cystitis as soon as possible if you’re pregnant to avoid any unnecessary complications.

While your GP is likely to recommend a course of antibiotics, there are also some home remedies for bladder infections while pregnant. These include drinking unsweetened cranberry juice and consuming ascorbic acid in the form of vitamin C supplements or vitamin C-rich foods like peppers and strawberries.

Increasing the acidity of your urine might help kill the bacteria causing the infection. However, some argue that vitamin C is better for prevention than treatment.

You’ll also want to avoid using any harsh soaps or body wash around the genital region, as well as douches or sprays. Wear cotton underwear instead to prevent further irritation, and empty your bladder frequently to try to flush the infection out.

Home remedies for bladder infection pain

Applying heat pads or a hot water bottle to your abdomen or lower back is a great home remedy for bladder infection pain to relieve discomfort.

Just be careful not to apply it to your bare skin to avoid irritations or minor burns. Alternatively, if you don’t want to use heating pads, you could soak in a warm bath instead.

You should also avoid foods that irritate the bladder further, such as acidic, citrus and spicy foods, as well as alcohol and caffeinated and fizzy drinks.

Home remedies for interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a syndrome characterised by bladder pain and symptoms that last six months or longer as opposed to regular cystitis, a bacterial infection that directly affects the bladder.

Unfortunately, the exact cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, but some think it may be attributed to a defect in the lining of the bladder.

Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water is an essential home remedy for interstitial cystitis to help relieve symptoms and manage your stress levels, which have an inflammatory effect on the body.

Avoid wearing any tight clothing that could put any extra unwanted pressure on your abdomen, and try aloe vera supplements, which are recommended by many GPs to help alleviate flare-ups of interstitial cystitis thanks to their natural anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties.

Physical therapy has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the area, improving symptoms and pain, by reducing pelvic floor muscle restriction.

Home remedies for male bladder infections

Women are more likely to suffer from bladder infections. However, UTIs, including cystitis, can also affect men. Older men, in particular, are more susceptible, as well as those with diabetes, kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.

Home remedies for male bladder infections are typically the same as for women. These include urinating often, taking a cranberry supplement, avoiding carbonated or caffeinated drinks and applying heat to relieve lower abdominal pain.

Other treatments for cystitis

Over-the-counter medication

If your infection is mild, you should be able to treat your cystitis symptoms at home with some over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce your pain and discomfort.

You can also purchase cystitis medication like relief sachets to alleviate symptoms such as burning and stinging. These usually contain potassium or sodium citrate, which reduces the acidity of your urine. This reduces the burning sensation that’s common when urinating.

However, it’s important to point out that these sachets won’t kill and get rid of the bacteria in your bladder and are for pain and symptom relief only.

Prescription medication

If you think you have cystitis and your symptoms haven’t improved within three days, you should see your doctor. You should also see your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Severe symptoms, like a high fever and blood in your urine
Are pregnant
Severe pain in your lower abdomen
Recurrent cystitis
Impaired immune system
Diabetic
Over 65
Symptoms that haven’t gone away despite antibiotic treatment

Your doctor will likely conduct a urine test to confirm if you have cystitis or any other UTI, then prescribe a course of antibiotics.

It’s crucial that you complete the full course of antibiotics — even if you start to feel better and your symptoms disappear — to ensure that the bacteria has been completely killed off. This will also avoid bacterial resistance, which makes the infection harder to treat.

If your cystitis keeps coming back, your doctor will need to examine you to rule out other potential underlying causes like abnormalities in the urinary tract as well as diabetes or kidney stones.

Conclusion: What is the best home remedy for cystitis?

Cystitis is a UTI that's typically caused by E.coli bacteria. It causes inflammation of the bladder and most commonly affects women and older adults.

While we don’t recommend home remedies for severe bladder infections — as these require treatment with antibiotics — milder cases can be treated at home with over-the-counter medication and natural remedies for bladder health.

While there isn't one single homemade remedy for cystitis that's best, staying hydrated, urinating frequently and avoiding spicy and acidic foods and caffeinated drinks that can further irritate the bladder can all help improve symptoms. Taking probiotics, vitamin C, and cranberry supplements can also help treat and prevent the infection.

Boost your bladder health and keep UTIs at bay with Novomin's delicious range of intimate and urinary health gummies. Doctor-formulated, each delicious gummy is made with the highest-quality ingredients to support you and your bladder's well-being.

Home remedies for cystitis FAQs

What gets rid of cystitis quickly?

If you have mild cystitis symptoms, home remedies for a bladder infection or UTI like: taking Novoming Cranberry & D-Mannose Gummies, drinking unsweetened cranberry juice, staying hydrated, urinating frequently and taking over-the-counter medication like cystitis relief sachets and pain relief can help. For severe infections, you will most likely need antibiotics, which your doctor can prescribe.

What is the home drink for cystitis?

Unsweetened cranberry juice is a popular home remedy for cystitis. This is thanks to a substance in cranberries that prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder's walls. Cranberries are also rich in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system, helping the body fight off the infection faster.

Can you flush out cystitis?

Mild cystitis usually clears up on its own within a few days. However, you can give your body a helping hand by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day until your urine is clear to help flush out the bacteria from your bladder.

References

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