All about cystitis or urine infection

Cystitis is the acute inflammation of the urinary bladder which is generally produced by germs of the intestinal flora. It is mainly produced by the bacterium E. coli (80% of cases) that reaches the bladder ascending from the urinary meatus and is therefore more common in women.

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

• pain when urinating
• Stinging
• Urinating very frequently (frequency)
• Suprapubic pain
• Urgency and / or urinary incontinence
• Change in urine color and odor (very characteristic)
• or blood in urine sometimes

What are the causes of cystitis?

There are different causes that predispose to infection:

• Causes that cannot be avoided: the female anatomy itself, abnormal urination, ...
• Causes that can be avoided: the type of diet, adequate hygiene of the genitals, stress control, high temperatures and a humid environment are two conditions that promote the development of urine infections.

That is why in summer it is more common for cystitis to occur, for example, when wearing a wet swimsuit for a long time. Likewise, follow a good diet can help prevent cystitis.

Prevent cystitis with a good diet

An improper diet can be one of the causes that trigger cystitis. That is why it will be important to follow one so that the immune system works in the best possible way.

The diet should be rich in antioxidants and nutrients that participate in the immune process such as vitamin C, vitamin D, folates, selenium, iron, zinc, copper ... But, it is not only about what foods you should take, but also about which ones you should avoid.

Recommended foods to avoid cystitis

First of all, it must be taken into account that a adequate hydration is essential to prevent urinary tract infections. If you keep your urinary tract working continuously, bacteria will be less likely to be able to ascend into the bladder. Although the latest recommendations indicate drinking according to the feeling of thirst, it is advisable to drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day.

On the other hand, there are a number of foods that can help prevent urine infection:

• Cranberries: regular intake of blueberries helps prevent urinary tract infections; clinical studies accept that hippuric acid and proanthocyanidin they contain reduce the ability of the E. Coli bacteria to adhere to the epithelium of the bladder. However, it is not considered a treatment for cystitis by itself.
• Fruit: consume 3 pieces of fruit a day, one of them should be rich in vitamin C (orange, tangerine, kiwi, strawberries ...).
• Vegetables and greens: consume 2 servings a day, one of them should be raw, in the form of a salad to keep all the vitamins and antioxidants.
• Cereals and tubers: consume daily, preferably whole grains as they contain more vitamins and minerals.
• Vegetables: consume 2 or 3 times a week for its great contribution in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
• Dairy products: You can consume 2 or 3 servings a day (if there is a good tolerance). Fermented products like help to strengthen the immune system.
• Fish: consume fish 3 or 4 times a week for its contribution in anti-inflammatory Omega3 fats.
• Egg: consume 3 or 4 eggs a week. Eggs provide high-quality protein.
• Meats: A moderate consumption of meat is recommended, promoting the use of poultry, rabbit ... In the case of red meat, 1 day a week is enough.
• Nuts: It is advisable to consume 4 to 7 servings a week. A handful of almonds, hazelnuts ... natural or toasted.
• Extra virgin olive oil: consume 4 to 6 tablespoons a day. Its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and polyunsaturated (linoleic acid) give it antioxidant properties.
• Seasonal foods: when they are collected at the optimum time of maturation, their nutrient content is higher and thus they provide greater protection.

Foods you should not eat if you have cystitis

There are several studies carried out in the last decade to find out what foods make cystitis symptoms worse. Therefore, if you have the infection, it is preferable avoiding foods that irritate the bladder:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Carbonated drinks
• Drinks that contain sweeteners or sugar
• Coffee and other caffeinated beverages, such as tea
• Citrus juices and drinks
• Spicy and acidic foods
• Vinegar
• Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
• rich in fat and sugar (pizza, hamburgers, snacks, sweets, soft drinks, fatty sauces, chocolate ...)
• Tomato and its derivatives, onion, hot peppers and hot radishes.
• Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, orange, pineapple, lemon, banana and any of these juices

If despite eliminating all these foods that make symptoms worse, you continue with discomfort, then you have to identify which is the trigger food. For this, it is recommended that the patient write down the food they have eaten, the amount, the time of day and the symptoms or discomfort suffered and what they have eaten on a daily basis.

CALCULATE YOUR PRICE

• The diet must be rich in antioxidants and nutrients that participate in the immune process such as vitamin C, vitamin D, folates, selenium, iron, zinc, copper ... for a good immune system and good health, and this includes urinary tract infections .
• We must not forget that some foods predispose to infections, because they worsen the immune system, such as ultra-processed foods rich in sugars and fats: snacks, pastries, sugary drinks, cold cuts, precooked food…; consume alcohol and smoke. It also empowers the immune system not to get enough sleep (between 7-8h a day) and in a rested way, and to be sedentary.
• The continuous intake of cranberry is accepted as a preventive, but not as a treatment, of urinary tract infections, mainly in women and patients with continuous catheterizations, since the substances they contain reduce the ability of E. Coli to adhere to the epithelium of the bladder.

Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Master in Pediatric Nutrition and Sports Nutrition