There are many triggers and risk factors for cystitis. The most common cause of the excruciating symptoms are bacteria, most often the intestinal germ Escherichia coli. What helps with bladder infection from E. coli.
- Most urinary tract infections are caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli.
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In three out of four cases, causes the intestinal bacteria Escherichia coli cystitis in men and women. The pathogen is abbreviated as E. coli, it is a gram-negative enterobacterium, which means intestinal germ. Because Escherichia coli billions of people frolic in the human colon. It is named after its discoverer Theodor Escherich.
Overview of article content:
Cystitis: what relieves the symptoms
How does bladder infection develop? Escherichia coli?
As part of the natural intestinal flora, intestinal bacteria are like E. coli useful in itself for us. However, come Escherichia coli due to the anatomical proximity also in the anal region from where they can migrate into the bladder – especially in women due to their shorter urethra. Improper intimate hygiene is usually responsible for the ascending urinary tract infection: If you incorrectly wipe from the back to the front after defecation, you risk that intestinal bacteria such as Escherichia coli find the way into the bubble.
Infested in the bladder E. coli the bladder wall, multiply explosively and trigger the typical symptoms:
- burning pain when urinating
- constant urge to urinate
- Trouble holding urine
- Bladder cramps
- Blood in urine
- strong smelling urine
Not only E. coli – other causative agents of cystitis
Even if Escherichia coli is responsible for the majority of uncomplicated bladder infections: A number of other bacteria can trigger the cystitis:
- Enterococci
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Proteus mirabilis
- Gonococci (triggers of venereal gonorrhea)
In addition, yeasts of the genus Candida, which also trigger vaginal fungus, chlamydia and some viruses play a role.
E. coli develops resistance to antibiotics
In order to avoid unnecessary treatments and the formation of resistance, antibiotics should not necessarily cause bladder infections Escherichia coli be used. The current guideline of the German Society for Urology recommends antibiotics for acute uncomplicated cystitis. If you have only mild to moderate symptoms, you can consider treating the symptoms without antibiotics. The doctor and patient should make the decision about the treatment together.
However, if the symptoms are severe or fever occurs, the doctor will usually use an antibiotic against which Escherichia coli is sensitive. The following active substances are often prescribed for cystitis:
Against other, previously common antibiotics E. coli Resistance has already developed, which makes the medication ineffective. In order to stop the spread of these antibiotic resistances, the use of the highly effective medication must be curbed. In addition, patients who are prescribed such a medicine should always take it according to their doctor's instructions. This also means that the pack should be taken until the end, even if the symptoms have already subsided. Otherwise it could be that individual pathogens survive and the cystitis flares up again.
Treatment of cystitis by E. coli
Many sufferers, especially those who get bladder infections again and again, try alternative or complementary with rinsing therapy. This includes a large amount of liquid, ideally bladder teas (for example with birch leaves) or water, as well as medicinal products from diuretic medicinal plants such as goldenrod, squirrel and orthosiphon.
If cystitis keeps coming back (chronic recurrent infection), it is often because of some E. coli-Bacteria that have survived antibiotic therapy and multiply again after stopping the medication. Therefore, the flushing measures should also be maintained in addition to any antibiotic treatment and beyond.