Is it possible to bask with cystitis? This question is of interest to many patients. It is widely believed in everyday life that this pathology occurs due to hypothermia. There is even the expression "froze the bladder." Often, patients believe that warming will help relieve pain and other unpleasant symptoms. However, the main cause of this disease is always infection, and hypothermia can only be a provoking factor. Therefore, warming-up procedures can help in some cases, and in others can be harmful.
What is cystitis
Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. Pathology is accompanied by severe pain and pain during urination, frequent diuresis with a feeling of incomplete emptying of the organ. Often, patients feel worse overall - the temperature rises, weakness occurs.
To answer the question: “Is it possible to bask with cystitis?”, You need to consider the etiology of the disease. The direct cause of inflammation is the penetration of the infection into the bladder. The following diseases and conditions can provoke the activation of bacteria and the inflammatory process:
- hypothermia;
- inflammatory processes in the kidneys;
- lack of hygiene;
- prostatitis;
- menopause;
- decreased immunity;
- infectious and inflammatory processes in the genitals;
- passive lifestyle;
- the use of a small amount of liquid;
- abuse of spicy and fried foods.
Cystitis often affects women, since their urethra is shorter than that of men. They are more prone to bladder infections. Therefore, patients often ask the question: "Is it possible to warm a woman with cystitis?" The answer will depend on the characteristics of the pathology.
The benefits and harms of warming up
How does heat affect cystitis? Warming promotes vasodilation and reduces spasms. This allows you to reduce pain. However, such a procedure gives only a temporary effect. After all, heat is not able to affect bacteria. It is the infection that is the main cause of inflammation.
Therefore, warming up procedures cannot be the only treatment method. They must be combined with the use of antibacterial drugs prescribed by the doctor. It is impossible to recover by heating alone. It must be remembered that bacteria do not die from exposure to heat.
In addition, it is important to make sure that pain during urination is caused precisely by cystitis. And for this, you need to contact a urologist and undergo a diagnosis. It should also be remembered that exposure to heat is indicated only in the acute form of the disease.
Is it always possible to bask with cystitis to stop the pain? Sometimes thermal procedures are strictly contraindicated. Warming up can be harmful in the following cases:
- with exacerbation of chronic cystitis;
- during menstruation;
- with bloody impurities in the urine;
- at high temperature;
- during pregnancy;
- with concomitant pathologies;
- with abdominal pain of unknown etiology.
It is also important to remember that the use of thermal procedures without taking antibiotics can lead to the spread of infection. To prevent complications, it is necessary to follow the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor.
Heating with a heating pad
Most often, patients use a heating pad for thermal procedures. Is it possible to bask in cystitis in this way? This is permissible only if the patient has no contraindications.
In this case, it is very important to correctly position the heating pad. The rubber tank with water should be placed strictly on the lower abdomen. Heat should only affect the bladder. Putting the heating pad too high can spread the infection. You should also not place the tank with heat on the sides and lower back. This can trigger the spread of inflammation.
Keep warm for no more than 20 minutes. Repeated procedure can be carried out only after half an hour.
Fill the heating pad with water no more than 3/4. Before the procedure, remove air from the reservoir. The heating pad should not be too heavy and put pressure on the stomach.
Bottle warming
Sometimes a plastic bottle of hot water is used for warming. It is used as a heating pad. The bottle is placed on the lower abdomen and held for about 15 minutes. The procedure can be repeated for several hours at intervals of 30 minutes. Water temperature should not exceed +40 degrees.
Warm bath
Is it possible to bask in the bathroom with cystitis? Urologists answer this question in the negative. A categorical prohibition applies to sitting and lying baths. In this case, the entire pelvic and abdominal area warms up. Heat contributes to the spread of infection, and bacteria can invade the kidneys, which can lead to pyelonephritis. Even a warm shower should be taken very moderately during an illness.
However, doctors recommend taking warm foot baths. Such a distracting procedure relieves pain well, and at the same time does not cause overheating of the pelvic area and the spread of infection. You can add decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula) or dry mustard powder to the water.
Foot baths should be taken no more than 15 minutes. After the procedure, you need to put on your feet warm wool socks.
Bathhouse
Is it possible to bask in a bath with cystitis? Doctors categorically do not recommend visiting the steam room in the acute course of the disease or relapse of the pathology. Bath procedures are permissible only during the period of remission. Otherwise, exposure to hot steam can lead to fever and complications.
You can stay in the steam room for no more than 5 minutes. After exposure to hot air, avoid overcooling. You can not leave the steam room in the cold, doused with water and swim in the pool. After the procedure, it is useful to drink a decoction of cranberries, dogrose, yarrow or bearberry. These plants have a diuretic effect.
Other heating methods
Is it possible to bask in cystitis with hot sand or salt? Such procedures are considered more beneficial than warming with hot water. Salt or sand is preheated to +38 degrees and placed in a bag, which is then placed on the lower abdomen. Keep warm for about 20 minutes.
You can also pour hot water into a bucket and add decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs. Then sit on a bucket and warm up with steam for 5 minutes. After the procedure, you need to lie down for about half an hour under a warm blanket.
For warming, you can use hot potatoes. It needs to be kneaded, wrapped in a piece of tissue and held in the lower abdomen for about 30 minutes.
With spotting
Is it possible to bask with cystitis with blood? In this case, doctors categorically prohibit any thermal procedures. Warming up causes vasodilation. This leads to increased bleeding.
The allocation of blood with urine is a sign of a severe form of the inflammatory process - hemorrhagic cystitis. Any kind of heating is prohibited. Even a warm shower should be taken with caution. Hemorrhagic cystitis can be cured only with the help of antibiotics and drugs that strengthen blood vessels. In this case, doctors prescribe a strict diet.
During pregnancy
Can pregnant women cystitis? This disease is often observed in expectant mothers. However, applying heat to the stomach during this period is extremely undesirable.
Warming up can lead to placental abruption. In addition, thermal procedures reduce muscle tone. The result of such self-medication can be a miscarriage or premature birth.
Also, heating can cause hematoma in the uterus. Therefore, while carrying the fetus, even foot baths are prohibited.
How to relieve cystitis pain in a pregnant woman? After all, expectant mothers are forbidden to take many painkillers. During this period, only teas from medicinal plants (chamomile, bearberry, currant leaves) are recommended. They reduce pain during urination.
Cystitis in men
Cystitis in men is a fairly rare disease. Most often, inflammation of the bladder is a consequence of advanced prostatitis.
Can men warm with cystitis? Indications and contraindications for thermal procedures for the stronger sex are the same as for women. Only the way of heating will differ.
It is recommended that men do not apply a heating pad or hot water bottle to the lower abdomen, but keep it between the legs. This will help relieve pain in the urethra.
It is also important to remember that cystitis in men is most often the result of other diseases. In addition to prostatitis, the following pathologies can lead to inflammation in the bladder:
- genital infections
- urolithiasis disease;
- alcoholism;
- kidney disease.
Therefore, before conducting thermal procedures, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Otherwise, warming can aggravate the symptoms of the underlying disease.
conclusions
In no case should you begin treatment of cystitis with warming. First of all, you need to contact a urologist. Only a doctor can conduct an accurate diagnosis, prescribe medication and take into account all the indications and contraindications for thermal procedures.
Warming up at home is a kind of symptomatic therapy. It helps for some time to get rid of pain and burning. Thermal treatments can only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment. They can be used only in cases where the patient has no contraindications.