Cystitis
Mildcystitis will usually clear up on its own within a few days, although sometimes you may need to take antibiotics.
See your GP for advice and treatment if:
Women who have had cystitis before don't necessarily need to see their GP if the condition returns, asmild cases oftenget better without antibiotics . You can try the self-help measures below or ask your pharmacist for advice.
If you've had cystitis before and don'tfeel you need to see your GP, the following advice may help to relieve your symptoms until the condition clears up:
Some people find drinking cranberry juice or using products that reduce the acidity of their urine (such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate) reduce their symptoms, but there's a lack of evidence to suggest they're effective.
These products are also not suitable for everyone. Check with your GP or pharmacist before trying themif you're taking any other medication.
In some cases, your GP may prescribe acourse of antibiotics. This will usually involve taking a tabletor capsule two tofourtimes a day for three days.
Antibiotics should start to have an effect quite quickly. Return to your GP if your symptoms haven't started to improve within a few days.
Most people won't have any side effects from antibiotic treatment, but possible side effects can include feeling or being sick, itching , a rash and diarrhoea .
If you keep getting cystitis (known as recurrentcystitis) your doctor may prescribe stand-by antibiotics or continuous antibiotics.
A stand-by antibiotic is a prescription you can take toa pharmacy the next time you have symptoms ofcystitis, without needing to visit your GP first.
Continuous antibiotics are taken for several months to prevent further episodes of cystitis. These may be prescribed:
Your doctor may also recommend some measures you can take to prevent cystitis , although it's not clear how effective these are.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. Find out about the symptoms, causes and treatments for this common condition.
Find out about the main symptoms of cystitis in adults and children, and when you should see your GP.
Find out what causes cystitis and what can increase your chances of getting the condition.
Find out what you can do to relieve the symptoms of cystitis and what treatment your GP may prescribe.