Does drinking more water help with cystitis?

Drinking more water can help relieve the symptoms of cystitis, but it is not the only solution. Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection, and its main symptoms include frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating. Drinking more water can increase urine volume, help flush the bladder, and reduce bacterial retention, thereby relieving symptoms. However, drinking more water alone cannot cure cystitis, and other treatments are needed.

1. The effect of drinking more water: Drinking more water can increase urine volume, dilute bacteria and harmful substances in urine, reduce their stimulation to the bladder wall, and thus relieve symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain during urination. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water per day, especially during the onset of cystitis, the amount of water should be increased appropriately.

2. Drug treatment: Cystitis usually requires the use of antibiotics. Commonly used antibiotics include:

Fluoroquinolones, such as levofloxacin, are used for mild to moderate cystitis.

Cephalosporins, such as cefaclor, are indicated for patients who are allergic to penicillin.

Sulfonamides, such as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, are used in patients who do not respond to other antibiotics.

When using antibiotics, you should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and avoid stopping or changing the dosage on your own.

3. Diet adjustment: In addition to drinking more water, diet adjustment can also help relieve cystitis symptoms. Suggestions:

Increasing your intake of foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits, can help increase urine acidity and inhibit bacterial growth.

Avoid spicy and irritating foods, such as chili peppers and pepper, so as not to aggravate the symptoms of urinary pain.

Increasing fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains and vegetables, can help maintain a healthy bowel and reduce the risk of UTIs.

4. Adjust your lifestyle: Maintaining good lifestyle habits is essential for preventing and treating cystitis. Suggestions:

Pay attention to personal hygiene, especially perineum cleaning, to prevent bacteria from entering the bladder through the urethra.

Avoid holding urine for long periods of time and urinate promptly to reduce the chance of bacteria remaining in the bladder.

Wear loose and breathable underwear to avoid tight clothing that puts pressure on the perineum.

Drinking more water can help relieve the symptoms of cystitis, but it cannot replace drug treatment and other lifestyle adjustments. When cystitis occurs, you should seek medical attention in time and follow the doctor's instructions for treatment, while combining diet adjustment and improvement of lifestyle habits to achieve the best treatment effect.