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Health

Treatment of acute cystitis at home

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Faced with the first signs of bladder inflammation, many patients are in no hurry to seek medical help and self-medicate. For this, they use various folk remedies and warming up, which are prohibited in acute inflammation.

The main task in treating cystitis is to activate the excretion of urine with pathogenic microorganisms. At home, drinking plenty of fluids, 2-3 liters per day, is excellent for these purposes. Let's look at the most useful drinks that allow you to cure acute cystitis on your own:

  • Birch sap – has diuretic properties, accelerates metabolic processes, helps remove toxins from the body. Has an antiseptic effect, cleanses the blood and kidneys, breaks down urinary and renal stones. The drink is taken for 2-4 weeks, 3-4 glasses per day.
  • Cranberry juice – cranberries are considered one of the most effective remedies for cystitis. They have antimicrobial properties, increase urination and relieve inflammation. To prepare the drink, the berries are crushed in a blender and squeezed through cheesecloth. The resulting juice can be diluted with boiled water, but do not sweeten. The remedy is taken 5-6 times a day until the painful condition improves. Cranberries are contraindicated in cases of increased stomach acidity and urolithiasis.
  • Lingonberry is rich in vitamins, essential oils, tannins, and salicylic acid. It has an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic effect. It oxidizes urine, preventing the formation of calcium phosphate stones. It restores intestinal microflora and protects the mucous membrane from pathogenic infections. All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes. The leaves are suitable for infusions and decoctions, and the berries for fruit drinks, juices, and compotes.
  • Lemon juice - citrus contains a large amount of organic acids, vitamins and minerals. In case of cystitis, it normalizes oxidation-reduction processes, strengthens small blood vessels, prevents accumulation of uric acid. Also, lemon juice acidifies urine, making it unsuitable for development of pathogenic agents. To prepare the drink, dilute the juice of 1 citrus in 250 ml, drinking in small portions throughout the day.
  • Mineral waters – for bladder inflammation, low-carbonated drinks such as Borjomi, Essentuki, Narzan are recommended. The waters have a diuretic effect, break down stones in the bladder, and flush harmful substances out of the body. Mineral water is taken 300 ml 5-6 times a day an hour before or after meals. The duration of such treatment is 30 days.

In addition to healthy drinks, there is a list of prohibited ones, which include: alcohol, strong tea and coffee, sweet and carbonated drinks, water with dyes and flavors, cold water.

Vitamins

One of the reasons for the development of cystitis is a weakened immune system, which is unable to cope with infectious agents. Weak immunity leads to the inflammation becoming chronic, periodically recurring with acute attacks. An obligatory component of complex treatment is vitamin therapy. Vitamins support and restore the body, strengthen it.

In acute cystitis, vitamins are needed to improve bladder function, stimulate the regeneration of damaged tissues and strengthen local immunity. The following beneficial substances may be prescribed for treatment:

  • A – a decrease in the protective functions of the immune system is most often associated with a violation of the integrity of cell membranes. A deficiency of retinol leads to bacteria freely attaching to tissues and mucous membranes, infecting them. The substance is necessary to maintain cell health and prevent bacterial invasions.
  • B – vitamins of this group participate in metabolic processes. Their deficiency negatively affects the rate of tissue regeneration. As a rule, group B is prescribed to patients with psychosomatic factors of bladder inflammation. B1 prevents stagnation in the body and saturates with energy. B2 restores the mucous membrane of the genitourinary system and participates in the synthesis of hemoglobin. B6 and B12 increase resistance to pathogenic microorganisms.
  • C – activates the immune system, suppresses the growth of E. coli. In acute inflammation, the maximum daily dose is 2000 mg, divided into 4 doses. Exceeding this norm is dangerous due to oxidation of urine, which aggravates the course of cystitis.
  • E – prevents inflammatory processes in the body, suppresses leukotrienes and prostaglandins of arachidonic acid. Has a pronounced antioxidant effect, accelerates the healing of ulcers of the mucous membrane. Restores the normal functioning of the genitourinary system.

Vitamins should be taken as prescribed by a doctor, since self-medication is dangerous due to the exacerbation of the pathological process and the development of allergic reactions. Contraindications to vitamin therapy should also be taken into account: kidney disease, urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, cystitis due to taking vitamins.

Folk remedies

Acute bacterial infection of the bladder requires a comprehensive treatment approach. In addition to traditional methods, many patients use folk methods based on herbal remedies.

Let's look at popular folk recipes for treating acute cystitis:

  • Take two teaspoons of yarrow herb and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Boil over low heat until boiling and let it brew for 40-60 minutes. Strain, take 50 ml 3 times a day. The drink has an anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and astringent effect. The finished product can be stored for no more than 3 days.
  • Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of millet and simmer for 10 minutes. Leave the porridge to steep for 10-15 minutes, drain off excess liquid. On the first day, take 1 tablespoon of porridge every hour. On the second day of therapy and thereafter, take 3 tablespoons every 2-3 hours. Treatment lasts 5-7 days.
  • Pour 10 g of parsley seeds with a glass of cooled boiled water and let it brew for 10-12 hours. Strain and take 20 ml every 2 hours for 2-3 days.
  • Add a teaspoon of sea salt to a glass of boiled water at room temperature and stir thoroughly. Add 2 drops of juniper and sandalwood essential oils, 3 drops of eucalyptus to the prepared solution. Pour the prepared liquid into a warm bath and take it for 10 minutes.
  • Take an alcohol tincture of propolis and take 5-10 drops 1-2 times a day, diluting in a glass of water or warm tea. Duration of treatment is 7-10 days.
  • Dissolve a tablespoon of soda in a liter of boiled water. Take the prepared soda solution 1 tablespoon three times a day. The liquid is suitable for douching. The treatment lasts 2-3 days.

Before using the above recipes, you should consult with your doctor. Folk remedies are not recommended for use in acute pain or as monotherapy.

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Herbal treatment

One of the effective methods of treating acute cystitis is phytotherapy. Medicinal herbs relieve pain and reduce inflammation, normalize the urination process and fight pathogenic microorganisms.

Medicinal recipes:

  • Take five tablespoons of flax seeds and a liter of water. Boil the liquid in an enamel pot, pour in the seeds and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes. Then wrap the pan in a towel and let it brew for 6-8 hours. Strain the finished decoction and take ½ cup every hour. You can drink no more than a liter of the medicinal drink per day. The recommended duration of treatment is 3 days.
  • Take three tablespoons of crushed bearberry and plantain herbs. Pour a liter of boiling water over the raw materials and let it brew in a closed container for 3-5 hours. Strain, add 3 tablespoons of natural honey or a couple of spoons of sugar to the drink. Take the infusion 100 ml, but very often. Within 2 hours, you need to drink the entire prepared volume. The herbs will provide a pronounced diuretic effect and antiseptic action.
  • Another herbal remedy for reducing pain in acute inflammation of the bladder is an infusion of corn silk. To prepare the infusion, take three tablespoons of the herb and 300 ml of warm water. The raw material should be infused in a dark, warm place for 3-4 hours. The finished infusion is filtered and a teaspoon of honey or sugar is added. You should drink all the medicine at one time, but no more than two glasses per day.
  • Take five tablespoons of birch buds and a glass of water. Pour water over the plant material and leave to infuse for 2 hours. Then add two more glasses of water and simmer over low heat until boiling. The remedy should be infused for 2-3 hours. After straining, add a tablespoon of honey to the decoction and take 100 ml 3 times a day. Duration of treatment is 3 days.

Before using the above recipes, you should make sure that there are no allergic reactions to their herbal components.

Homeopathy

Another method used in the treatment of many diseases, including cystitis, is homeopathy. Its action is aimed at reducing painful sensations and stopping the inflammatory process.

The main homeopathic remedies used for acute cystitis are:

  • Berberis – pain intensifies during movement, burning in the groin and lumbar region, frequent and painful urge to urinate.
  • Borax – nightly urge to urinate, pain.
  • Cannabis – difficulty urinating, pain and burning when going to the toilet.
  • Cantharis – an acute inflammatory process with cutting and burning pains.
  • Causticum – chronic inflammation with frequent exacerbations.
  • Equisetum – pain in the bladder, urinary retention.

The choice of medicine is made by a homeopath, taking into account the causes of cystitis, the nature of pain and its localization, the presence of concomitant diseases. The treatment is long-term, in case of uncomplicated inflammation - about 3 months, in more severe cases - more than six months.

Diet for acute cystitis

An essential component of the treatment of acute inflammation of the bladder is a diet. Special nutrition is aimed at reducing symptoms and accelerating recovery. The diet is based on drinking plenty of fluids - at least 2 sheets of liquid per day. The menu should be dominated by vegetables and fruits that alkalize urine, which has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms.

Recommended products for inflammatory diseases:

  • Fruits and vegetables with a diuretic effect.
  • Buckwheat and oatmeal porridge.
  • Dairy and fermented milk products.
  • Whole wheat bread
  • Fruit drinks made from lingonberries and cranberries.

Prohibited products:

  • Alcoholic, sweet and carbonated drinks.
  • Strong tea and coffee.
  • Sour fruits and berries.
  • Fried, fatty, smoked, salted.
  • Spices and herbs.
  • Sweets.

The list of contraindications includes meat products, since during their digestion substances are formed that promote the growth of bacteria and trigger putrefactive processes in the intestines.

In addition to diet, timely bowel movements and prevention of stagnation affect recovery. To prevent constipation, which increases the level of toxins in the blood and in all organs, products with a high fiber content are recommended. They stimulate intestinal peristalsis.

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