Many British women opting for a holiday abroad this summer may be worried about cystitis, a urinary tract infection which is prevalent in holiday-makers and honeymooners.
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Though a very common problem, it can be uncomfortable and potentially embarrassing, especially at a time when you want to relax and enjoy your holiday.
If you know you are particularly susceptible to cystitis, you should exercise special caution when travelling abroad so that you don’t get hit by a bout of the infection.
Luckily, HealthExpress.co.uk Medical Advisor Dr Hilary Jones is on hand to answer some common questions regarding cystitis, so that you can be free from irritation this summer
I am worried about getting cystitis on holiday, how can I identify it?
There are a number of easily recognisable symptoms associated with cystitis:
• A burning sensation when you urinate
• An increased urge to urinate sometimes resulting in only small amounts of urine being passed
• Dark or strong smelling urine
• Pain during sex
• Pain in your lower back
I experience recurrent cystitis, how can I prevent it from reoccurring on holiday?
Whilst most cases of cystitis clear up on their own, or with a course of antibiotics, some women who have frequently recurring bouts may be suffering from ‘interstitial cystitis’ where discomfort in the bladder and pelvis is constant. The root causes of this form of cystitis are still unclear, but it is often resistant to antibiotics, so alternative methods of treatment can include painkillers, Bladder Distention, where the bladder is filled with water to increase volume, or Bladder Instillation where the bladder is filled with an anti-inflammatory solution. Women suffering from interstitial, and indeed occasional cystitis can take a number of precautions to minimise the risk of recurrence on holiday
There are a number of external factors that may contribute to the recurrence of your infection while abroad. On holiday, it is easy to over-load on the three main causes of cystitis - sexual activity, alcohol and heat, which put you at a higher risk of experiencing a bout of the infection. To help reduce this risk, you can take the following precautions when travelling abroad:
• Drink more water – Most Brits like to seek the sun when they are planning their holiday destination. More heat means a greater chance of getting dehydrated, and this has been cited as a common cause of bladder irritations, which may also lead to infections like cystitis. It is therefore advisable that you drink plenty of water whilst abroad, so that any bugs can be flushed out of your system. Many women also find drinking cranberry juice helpful, but the most important thing is to ensure you are drinking enough water.
• Control your alcohol intake – It’s often the case that we allow ourselves to drink more alcohol than usual when going on holiday. Alcohol can irritate the bladder and can remove vital fluids from the body, meaning that it is harder to flush the infection out, if you do want to enjoy a drink or two, having a glass of water in-between every alcoholic drink will help to keep you hydrated and your bladder clear.
• Take care when having sex– In some cases; women may be particularly prone to cystitis after sexual intercourse. This is partly because certain sexual positions can push bacteria into the bladder. You should try your best to empty your bladder after sex and if your vagina is dry, ensure that you use lubrication during sex. Some women find it helpful to also take one dose of antibiotic after sex.
• Antibiotics - If you experience regular bouts of cystitis and are worried that you may develop an infection whilst away, then I would advise you take a course of antibiotics with you, just in case it reoccurs. Remember, health services abroad are not always free of charge and may require a lot of time and effort in order to get the appropriate treatment, in addition to the language barriers that you may experience. You may wish to try an antibiotic called Trimethoprim, which is commonly prescribed to women who experience recurrent cystitis. You can buy this antibiotic online at the UK’s leading online clinic, HealthExpress.
Should I be worried about cystitis?
If you are experiencing cystitis on holiday, then it’s likely to be a one-off infection which will clear up on its own or with the help of antibiotics. In most cases, your cystitis infection won’t lead to any other health problems but sometimes an untreated infection can become serious. This is why you may wish to consider taking treatment with you, especially if you’re planning a long stay at your destination.
If your symptoms haven’t improved after a course of antibiotics and your discomfort keeps reoccurring, then you may have interstitial cystitis. At this point, you should visit a doctor who will recommend an alternative treatment plan.
Can I still travel if I have cystitis?
Cystitis is not a serious infection and there is no reason why it should alter your travel plans, unless a doctor has told you otherwise. Just make sure you bring enough water on the plane with you to avoid dehydration. You should also ensure you have enough antibiotics to last your entire holiday. This should provide enough relief from your symptoms so that you can continue with your holiday fun.
Good luck and happy holidays!
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