Christmas could trigger sudden surge in crippling condition that is ‘easily the worst pain imaginable’, doctor warns
CHRISTMAS could trigger a sudden surge in cystitis cases, a doctor has warned.
Parties and presents during the festive period create the perfect conditions for the urinary tract infection (UTI) to thrive.
Dr Catherine Hood, a women's health expert, said: ";Christmas can be jam-packed with parties, alcohol, salty food and snacks, scented bath products, and sex - with stress and generally a sense of feeling run down and our immune systems suffering also being common.
"All of this can trigger cystitis.
"With one in three women suffering from the burning pain of recurring cystitis, Christmas can be a common time to get it."
Cystitis is a common UTI that affects the bladder.
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Symptoms include:
- Pain, burning or stinging when you pee
- Needing to pee urgently and more often than normal
- Only passing a few drops of pee
- Pee that is dark, cloudy or strong smelling
- Pain low down in the stomach
- Generally feeling run down, tired and feverish
- Lower back ache
Social media users have described the discomfort as "immense" and "easily the worst pain imaginable".
There are several causes of cystitis, many of which are more likely during December, according to Dr Hood.
The most common include:
- Having sex
- Wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet
- Using spermicide with contraception
- Urinary catheters
- Pregnancy
- Diabetes
- Conditions that block the urinary tract, such as kidney stones
- Conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder, such as an enlarged prostate gland in men
- Having been through the menopause
- Having a weakened immune system
But stress, an unhealthy diet, alcohol, dehydration, not peeing often and scented products (like the bath bombs and shower gels we often receive as Christmas gifts) can also cause or aggravate infections.
Dr Hood said: "Stress levels are high over Christmas, meaning we don’t pay attention to the health of our urinary tracts in terms of drinking enough water, peeing frequently to clear our bladders and maybe not carefully wiping front to back after visiting the loo because we are anxious about getting back to the party.
"Simply having sex, particularly with a new partner, can also lead to a bout of cystitis.
"Estimates show that sex-induced cystitis accounts for around 60 per cent for recurrent cases, demonstrating sex as a key trigger of cystitis for millions of women in the UK.
"The use of spermicides and a diaphragm can also increase risk, as can scented soaps and bath and shower products."
An X user called Julia said last year: "Do you all get cystitis in December?
"I just checked my prescription history and every December without fail I have got antibiotics. Festive UTI."
When to seek medical help
CYSTITIS often clears up on its own. But you should see your GP if:
- Your symptoms have not gone away within three days
- Your symptoms stick around after treatment with antibiotics
- You have severe symptoms, such as serious pain in your lower tummy
- You get cystitis symptoms frequently
- You have symptoms and are pregnant or a man
- Your child has symptoms of cystitis
Ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 if you have:
- A high temperature, or feel hot and shivery
- A low temperature, or are shaking or shivering
- Pain in the lower tummy or back, just under the ribs
- Confusion, drowsiness or difficulty speaking
- Nausea or vomiting
- Not peed all day
- Blood in your pee
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Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of cystitis and spending the big day in agony, the doctor added.
Do:
- Pee as soon as possible after sex
- Wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
- Stay hydrated - drink plenty of fluids, especially water, so that you pee regularly during the day and do not feel thirsty
- Choose showers over baths so you don't expose your genitals to cleaning products for too long
- Wash the skin outside the vagina (vulva) with water before and after sex
- Change soiled nappies or incontinence pads promptly
- Keep the genital area clean and dry
- Fully empty your bladder each time you need to pee
Don't
- Use scented soap, bubble bath or talcum powder
- Drink lots of alcoholic drinks or coffee to prevent bladder irritation
- Consume lots of sugary foods or drinks as they can encourage bacteria to grow
- Use spermicide with diaphragm or condoms (try non-spermicidal lube or different type of contraception)
- Hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go
- Rush when going for a pee
Dr Hood said: "Drink plenty of water. Adequate hydration is vital.
"At parties, if you are drinking alcohol, aim for a glass of water with every glass of wine or cocktail as alcoholic drinks are dehydrating.
"And don’t drink fizzy drinks as an alternative to alcohol as they may irritate the urinary tract."
Wash down below every day and always after having sex, but avoid the use of scented soaps and oils
Dr Catherine Hood
She added: "Hydration is also very important around sex.
"Drink a large glass of water after having sex as this strengthens the pee stream and stops bacteria sticking inside the urinary tract.
"Wash down below every day and always after having sex, but avoid the use of scented soaps and oils."
Unfortunately, even if you do everything right, cystitis can still strike.
When it does, it's important to "tackle it fast", Dr Hood said.
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While it often gets better by itself, other things, like painkillers such as paracetamol, effervescent tablets to alkalise urine or a hot water bottle on your stomach, can help, the adviser to , which provide symptom relief, added.
Sometimes cystitis needs to be treated with antibiotics.