Avoid cystitis: 10 hygienic measures in beaches and swimming pools

Madrid, 15 Jun. (Infosalus / EP)-

Cystitis is the second most common infection in Spain after breathing, and mainly affects women. In fact, it is estimated that 37% of them suffer from some episode of cystitis throughout their lives, according to research carried out in the Quirón and General Universitario hospitals of Valencia. Many of these episodes occur during the pool and beach season.

Cinfa's medical advisor, Eduardo González Zorzano, warns that "the change in temperature between water and the outside often causes sudden cooling that affects the belly and vaginal area. Also, the humidity that remains in the clothes after the bath favors the growth of microorganisms and bacteria."

The bacteria'E. coli', 'present in our intestine in large quantities and has filaments or' pelos' around your body that allow you to attach to the walls of the urinary bladder, is the cause of 75% of cystitis.

If detected in time, the symptoms of this problem are usually not serious, but very annoying: frequent need to go to the bathroom, pain or itching when urinating, rare and frequent urination, and murky or smelly urine accompanied by blood.

"the milder cases of cystitis can heal spontaneously, although antibiotic treatment is often needed to prevent the infection from spreading," says Dr. González Zorzano. However, in the case of recurrent cystitis, repetition of this treatment may lead to the progressive immunisation of bacteria, so that they become resistant to antibiotics.

"for this reason," concludes González Zorzano, "cystitis should be prevented with appropriate hygiene habits or alternative measures to antibiotics, such as blueberry, which has proven effective in the face of E. coli". A number of preventive measures will play a key role in escaping this problem in the coming summer months.

Decaloguing against the CITISTIS.

1. Eat a minimum of 1.5 liters of liquid a day. The liquid helps to remove bacteria from the urinary tract more quickly.

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2. Try to urinate frequently. Bacterial growth is longer the longer urine stays in the bladder. Since the way to remove these microorganisms is to expel them with urine, it is advisable to go to the bathroom every two or three hours, even if you do not feel like it.

3. Combat constipation, in order to prevent germs from colonizing tissues close to the urinary tract.

4. Use neutral soaps in cleaning the intimate area. Hygiene must be taken care of and perfumed soaps, less specific to this sensitive area, should not be abused.

5. Going to the bathroom before and after sexual intercourse. Sexual activity increases the risk of infection up to forty times and allows certain microorganisms to stay in the urethra. Therefore, it is important to urinate after sexual intercourse.

6. Choose the shower in front of the bathroom. At the time of daily hygiene, the best option is to shower rather than take a bath or use the bidet, as running water prevents the accumulation of bacteria that can occur in a bathtub.

7. Do not stay with the wet swimsuit. During swimming pools, the humidity of the bathing suit or the change in temperature that occurs between water and the outside often result in sudden cooling in the belly and vaginal area.

8. Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight garments. Garments that are too narrow or made of synthetic material encourage perspiration and thus the proliferation of microbes.

9. Reconsider the use of diaphragm and tampons. The diaphragm can press the urethra and make it difficult to empty the bladder, so its use is associated with a higher frequency of infection. Likewise, tampons are not advisable if urinary infections appear during the premenstrual period, as they can favor moisture, prevent the correct expulsion of bacteria and favor their colonization.

10. Consume 36 mg of blueberry proanthocyanidine daily. Red cranberry contains proanthocyanidines type A2, a substance that prevents colonization of'E. coli 'bacteria in the bladder. We can eat the fruit directly or in the form of juice. There are also food supplements that guarantee the most appropriate doses. The pharmacist is available for consultation.