Cystitis
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Cystitis key facts
Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection (UTI) mainly affecting women. Cystitis will often not need treatment, however, sometimes you may need to take medication to help clear up your symptoms. Here, we will take a closer look at what causes cystitis, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and how to prevent you from getting cystitis in the future.
What is Cystitis?
Cystitis is essentially inflammation of the bladder caused by a bladder infection. Symptoms include pain, swelling, a feeling of discomfort in the bladder and changes in urination. Cystitis may occur in men and women, but due to anatomy, it is actually more common in women. In men, inflammation of the prostate gland can cause symptoms similar to those of cystitis.
What causes Cystitis?
Cystitis may be caused by a variety of reasons, such as bacterial infections, a weak immune system, reactions to medication, hormonal changes after menopause, radiation therapy, or chemical irritants.
Bacterial cystitis, the most common cause of cystitis, occurs when bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), enters the bladder through the urethra. Bacterial cystitis tends to be caused by poor hygiene and sexual activity.
Certain medications, such as those taken for chemotherapy can irritate the lining of the bladder, causing drug-induced cystitis. Radiation therapy, used for the treatment of cancer can cause radiation cystitis. Symptoms include inflammation and damage to the bladder. Long-term use of urinary catheters may also lead to bacteria entering the bladder, leading to foreign body cystitis.
Underlying health conditions, such as kidney stones, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, or spinal cord injury can also lead to cystitis. To manage cystitis in these cases the underlying condition needs to be treated.
Bubble baths, douches and certain forms of contraception such as spermicides may irritate the bladder, also causing chemical cystitis.
Symptoms of Cystitis
The symptoms of cystitis will depend on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include pain, burning or stinging when urinating, urinating more often, incontinence, difficulty emptying the bladder, changes in the colour and smell of urine and pain in the abdomen. Symptoms in young children with cystitis may include fever, irritability, lack of appetite, and vomiting.
Diagnosis of Cystitis
A healthcare provider will need to carry out a medical assessment. They will ask about your symptoms, any medical history, and relevant risk factors. They will take a urine sample to check for bacteria, blood, or other potential abnormalities. A urine culture may be taken, to identify the bacteria causing your infection. Imaging techniques may also be used to assess your symptoms. These tests will help to identify any abnormalities or conditions that may be causing your cystitis.
Treatment of Cystitis
Treatment for cystitis will depend on the cause and the severity of your symptoms. Bacterial cystitis is treated with antibiotics to clear any infection. The antibiotic prescribed to you will depend on the type of bacteria, the severity of your symptoms, and any other health conditions you may have. You are recommended to complete the course of antibiotics even if your symptoms of cystitis clear. Failing to complete your course may lead to bacterial resistance.
Interstitial cystitis (Bladder pain syndrome), is a chronic or long-term form of cystitis. Treatment will require a combination of medications to relieve any pain and inflammation and changes to your lifestyle.
The underlying cause will need to be identified and treated if you have non-infectious cystitis. This may require stopping the treatment of a particular medication or identifying and avoiding what is causing the inflammation. You may also be given advice on how to manage your pain to relieve discomfort.
Do home remedies work for Cystitis?
Certain home remedies can also help relieve symptoms and help with healing. These include changes to your lifestyle, hydration and pain relief.
Self-care measures include heat pads applied to your lower abdomen, good hygiene, and avoiding the triggers that cause your symptoms.
Painkillers, available over the counter from your local pharmacy, such as ibuprofen, will help reduce any pain or discomfort you have. Also, medication containing ingredients such as potassium citrate will help to reduce the acidity of your urine. The effectiveness of these products is however not clear. Follow the dosage instructions or speak to your healthcare provider if your symptoms persist or become worse.
Make sure you drink plenty of water. This will help keep you well hydrated and clear out any bacteria. This will keep your bladder healthy. Also, avoid drinks containing caffeine, alcohol, or acidic drinks that will irritate your bladder.
Preventing Cystitis
Preventing cystitis is crucial when it comes to managing the risk of infections. Good hygiene is essential to prevent cystitis. For women, this includes wiping front to back when using the toilet, avoiding personal care products that cause irritation, and practising safe sex.
Fully emptying the bladder, peeing after sex, and not holding urine for long periods can all also reduce the risk of bacterial infections. Drinking plenty of fluids to stay well-hydrated, wearing breathable underwear, and not wearing tight clothing, can all contribute to your bladder health, reducing your chances of developing cystitis.
Cystitis in specific populations
Cystitis is most common in women, but can also occur in men. In men, cystitis is associated with underlying health conditions, such as an enlarged prostate.
Children with cystitis may have symptoms such as a fever, changes in appetite or irritability. Children need to be treated as a matter of urgency if they do have cystitis to prevent further complications.
Cystitis in the elderly can be more difficult to diagnose due to any age-related changes and other medical conditions they may have. Cystitis, in the elderly, may be easily missed as symptoms may include confusion, a common condition in older adults.
Complications of Cystitis
Cystitis is not a serious condition, but if left untreated or recurrent infections occur it can lead to complications, such as kidney infections (pyelonephritis) and hematuria. Kidney infections may require hospitalization and antibiotics, while hematuria is often harmless and resolves on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cystitis contagious?
No, cystitis is not contagious, even though it is an infection. It cannot be transmitted to others.
How is cystitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves examining the symptoms, taking a medical history, and a physical examination. A urinalysis test may be carried out to test for any signs of an infection. Further tests such as a cystoscopy may also be carried out if required.
How is cystitis treated?
Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms and the cause. Cystitis, in some cases, may resolve on its own. However, antibiotics such as, nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim are commonly used. Paracetamol or ibuprofen may also be taken to relieve pain.
Can I diagnose cystitis myself?
You are recommended to speak to a healthcare professional for a diagnosis of cystitis, to prevent incorrect diagnosis and a delay in treatment.
How soon will antibiotic treatment work?
Antibiotics will begin to work within one or two days of starting treatment. You must complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed, to ensure the infection is cleared and to reduce the risk of reinfection.
How can I relieve the pain?
Over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may be used to relieve pain. Follow the dosage instructions on the patient information leaflet provided with your medication.
What if antibiotics don’t provide relief?
If you do not see an improvement in your symptoms within 48 hours of starting treatment with antibiotics, speak to your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Can I drink alcohol while on Cystitis antibiotics?
It is safe to drink alcohol while taking most antibiotics. However, alcohol may make you feel unwell when you have an infection. Also, metronidazole, in particular may cause adverse reactions if you drink alcohol.
Does cranberry juice help with cystitis?
There is limited evidence to support the use of Cranberry juice for the treatment of cystitis. However, some studies do suggest cranberry juice may help prevent urinary tract infections. Speak to a healthcare professional for further advice.
Conclusion
To treat cystitis effectively, a correct diagnosis is essential. Based on this, treatment and prevention can be addressed. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist for an early diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications from cystitis.
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Service Guide
Everything you need to know about Getting Treated Privately
What does the Get Treated Privately service do?
The Get Treated Privately service is a private prescribing service which is designed for adults aged 18 years and over, who are experiencing health issues and who would like to receive a fast-track assessment and if applicable, a treatment plan from a qualified prescribing clinician. Treatments are dispensed and delivered to your home or workplace from our regulated online pharmacy.
Is this a safe service?
Yes. Our formulary of medications prescribed and conditions treated are controlled, governed, and continuously risk-assessed by our Medical Director, Dr. Aseel Hamoud. Unlike other prescribing services which operate using faceless questionnaires, our service is conducted through remote video consultations, also known as synchronous consultations. This builds patient safety and prescribing appropriateness into our service, ensuring our prescribing clinicians can be satisfied with who and what they are treating. There is no guarantee of supply of medications, and any prescriptions supplied are at the sole discretion of our clinician prescriber. There is no charge for the consultation.
What is a prescribing clinician and is it safe for me to use them on the NowPatient platform?
Our prescribing clinicians are board-certified pharmacists, nurses, or doctors who can also prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, subject to accepted accreditation and good clinical practice. They are all registered with their respective regulatory bodies. For example, a pharmacist independent prescriber is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Each prescribing clinician undergoes an extensive background check including a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). In addition, they undergo a rigorous license verification process. When you book an appointment with our prescribing clinicians you will see their full name, license number, and any specialized credentials they have.
Is the service available worldwide?
Yes, the Get Treated Privately service is available worldwide.
Do I need to pay for this service?
Yes. This is a private service. You do not need to pay for the consultation. You only pay for the cost of the medication you are prescribed.
How do I book a consultation?
Once you have logged into your account, you will need to navigate to the Get Treated Privately service card which is located as a service item on the dashboard.
Using the action button on the service card, you can select one of the following – ‘Search Treatments’ or ‘Search Conditions’.
Depending on the search type and the product/condition that you would like to get treated, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. Follow the simple steps to complete your booking. During the booking confirmation, you will be able to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language and gender of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available expert clinicians who are trained to assess the medication or condition chosen. Once you have confirmed your booking, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification, SMS notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before the virtual consultation is due to start.
Depending on certain medications which require our clinicians to have your up-to-date blood pressure readings, you may be required to submit a virtual blood pressure check, using your smartphone or device. We will provide you with full instructions, when this is required.
What happens during the remote video consultation?
During the consultation, the clinician will ask you a series of questions that will allow the clinician to assess your condition and potential treatment options. At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment is a safe and suitable option for you. If it is, the clinician will discuss the various treatment options that may be available, so that you can jointly agree on the option that is most suited to you. Once you have jointly agreed on a treatment plan, the clinician will issue a prescription order which will be available in your Cart at the end of the consultation.
Also, with your consent, the clinician may wish to inform your doctor of the treatment that was prescribed. We recommend that you agree to this since your doctor is responsible for your overall care and they should have a record of this consultation and medication prescribed. In addition, our clinician may take the opportunity to advise you on your overall health including advice on healthy living or stop smoking.
What happens at the end of the consultation?
At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise you if any referrals were made to your doctor, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician.
If a referral letter was issued to your doctor, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘Documents’ section of the dashboard. If you were prescribed a treatment, it will now be available in your Cart.
When you go to your Cart, you will be able to select the treatment, checkout and make payment. Once the checkout is complete, your prescription order will be sent to our regulated online pharmacy for processing.
What if the prescriber does not prescribe what I want?
We operate a safe prescribing service. This means that our prescribing clinicians always exercise their clinical judgment when prescribing. Unfortunately, we do not operate a self select service where you can choose a medication and simply buy. If the clinician that sees you does not prescribe anything, then you will not be charged.
Will I get status updates for my order?
Yes. When your treatment is approved, and after you have checked out and paid for your order, we will keep you fully updated with the status of your order. Every time the status of your order changes, you will be notified immediately. These notifications will appear in the ‘Notification Feed’ section on the dashboard.
How will my order be delivered?
All orders are shipped in discreet and unmarked packaging. This means it is suitable for delivery wherever you require (home, work, or a neighbour).
For thermo-sensitive orders (e.g. Insulin or weight loss injections) we use cold chain-validated packaging. Your parcel will normally receive an estimated delivery window from the courier on the day of delivery.
For your protection and safety, your first order can only be delivered to the address that is registered with NowPatient. Future orders can be delivered to any other address, for example, your workplace.
Do you ship cold-chain or temperature sensitive products?
Yes. We use a specialist courier service for all thermo-sensitive deliveries. This is to ensure that cold chain integrity is always maintained and thus the product quality, safety and efficacy.
Learn more about how we handle the delivery of temperature sensitive products.
Where do you deliver?
We currently deliver to all postcodes/zipcodes worldwide. Some postcodes in rural areas may have a slightly longer delivery time.
When will my order arrive?
We aim to ship all orders placed Monday – Friday before 3pm on the same day. Orders placed outside these times will be shipped the next working day. All deliveries are shipped by Royal Mail, which delivers Monday through Saturday in the UK. For deliveries outside of the UK, please check with your national postal service for accurate delivery days.
Our delivery options have the following delivery times:
- UK – Royal Mail Tracked 24 & Signed for Delivery – Next day delivery
- Europe – Royal Mail Tracked – Typical delivery of 3-5 working days
- Worldwide – Royal Mail – Typical delivery of 5-7 working days. If a tracked option is available for your country via Royal Mail, this service will be applied.
What should I do if my order has not arrived?
Delivery is normally made promptly after your dispatch notification is received. You can check the tracking details of your order in the ‘Notification Feed’ section of the dashboard, at any point after dispatch.
Unfortunately, packages can sometimes get lost in the delivery system. If after 10 days you have not received your delivery, please contact us and we will do all we can to resolve the problem.
Can you prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections?
Yes. However, with GLP-1 weight loss medications, the license requires that there are support resources put in place as part of the plan including coaching for a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and diet. Our clinicians will discuss this with you, if you are prescribed this type of treatment.
You can learn more on our Weight Loss Programs feature page.
What’s included with my order?
If you are ordering prescription medication, your order will contain your medication only.
If you are ordering weight loss injections, your order will contain:
- Your prescription of pre-filled weight loss injection pens
- Needles
- Sharps bin for safe disposal of needles (if ordered as part of the bundle)
Can I reorder my medication, if I have already been prescribed a course?
Yes. However, as a responsible prescribing service, we do not issue more than one monthly cycle of medication at a time. This means that, if you would like to reorder, you will need to rebook a consultation.
This is important, because it allows our clinicians to keep track on the progress of your treatment plan and ensure that the medication remains safe and effective for you.
What is the earliest I can reorder my medication or treatment?
14 days after you have received your first monthly supply, we will send you a notification to advise you that you are eligible to reorder your medication. To ensure that we are able to safely prescribe the next supply, you will need to rebook a consultation.
This ensures that our clinician can check in on your treatment plan and ensure it is working as intended and continues to be safe, suitable and appropriate for you.
How do I reorder my medication?
When you are eligible to reorder your next medication, we will send you a notification reminder. This notification reminder will request that you book a consultation with a NowPatient Clinician.
You should book a suitable time and date for the consultation.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician may advise you to either
- Stop the treatment
- Stay on the current dose
- Increase the dose
If our clinician deems it safe for you to continue taking the medication, the medication will be added to your cart, from where you can checkout.
Delivery will be made in line with our delivery timescales.
As a responsible prescribing service, we will always monitor your treatment plan to ensure that it remains safe, effective and suitable for you.
How do I reorder weight loss medication?
Our weight loss programs are built to closely monitor treatment progress and safety. Please refer to the Weight Loss Programs Service Guide that explains how you can reorder or step edit your dose.
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