Cystitis which doctor

In the following circumstances, you should definitely see a doctor if you believe you may have cystitis:. It is important to see a doctor in such cases so that they can run further tests or prescribe antibiotics to treat cystitis. If you suffer from recurrent bacterial cystitis, a doctor will need to examine you to rule out other serious health complications including diabetes, kidney stones, and abnormalities in the urinary tract.

Antibiotics are the only effective treatment for persisting bacterial cystitis, and you should start feeling better within a day or two of taking them. They need to be prescribed by a doctor, who will be able to work out the right course for you — a common one is nitrofurantoin. Crucially, you need to complete the whole antibiotic course you are prescribed, even if cystitis symptoms disappear soon after taking medication.

Failing to complete the course can lead to bacterial resistance and it will be harder to treat the infection. Antibiotic courses for cystitis One-off, straightforward cases of cystitis can be treated with an antibiotics course for 3 to 7 days. More severe cases or kidney infection may require a day course. Those with recurrent cystitis can get a stand-by antibiotic prescription which they can take to a pharmacy in the event of a future attack.

Alternatively, in exceptional cases a doctor may prescribe a continuous low-dose course of antibiotics to be taken for 6 to 12 months. Need cystitis treatment today? Our doctors will be able to confirm whether antibiotic treatment is necessary. Over-the-counter antibiotics for cystitis Since cystitis is common and fairly straightforward to treat, some argue that cystitis treatment should be made available without the need for prescription, as in the case of the morning after pill.

This would provide women with quicker access to treatment, whilst also freeing up GP time for more critical appointments. However, in the face of growing microbial resistance to antibiotics many doctors are cautious about making antibiotics more easily available.

The more routinely people take antibiotics, the higher the chances of bacterial resistance. Antibiotics are the main line of defence for many bacterial infections and many doctors believe they should only be used once all other treatment options have failed.

In mild cases of cystitis, antibiotic treatment might not even be necessary at all. If you experience more than two UTIs within six months or three within a year, you will be classed as having recurrent cystitis. Interstitial cystitis Interstitial cystitis IC is a long-term chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. Crucially, it is not caused by bacteria so cannot be treated with antibiotics. It is commonly misdiagnosed as bacterial cystitis, as it shares common symptoms, although IC also causes intense pain in the bladder and pelvic region which can increase after sex or during menstruation.

IC requires a completely different treatment to bacterial cystitis and unfortunately cannot be cured — only treated. You should see your doctor if you experience any of the above; they will be able to prescribe antispasmodic medicines and a type of anti-depressant to ease the pain, and may also refer you to a urologist for further tests.

A persistent and intense urge to urinate. Urinating frequently, often in smaller amounts, throughout the day and night. Excessive bleeding during your menstrual cycle. Pain during intercourse. Pain when your bladder fills. Diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis Because some of the symptoms resemble other conditions such as urinary tract infections, your physician will want to do a culture to rule out any other bladder issues.

Once you report your symptoms to your physician, your doctor will take a detailed history and may have you undergo a series of tests which may include: Pelvic exam. Urine test and culture. Potassium sensitivity test. Cystoscopy of the urethra. Biopsy of bladder tissue.

Treatment at Penn While there currently is no cure for interstitial cystitis, there are several treatment options aimed at alleviating your symptoms, such as medications, diet and lifestyle changes. Learn more about Penn Urology. Find a Doctor Request a Callback. Share This Page: Post Tweet. Find a Program or Service. Create a complete copy of your medical record.

If you change doctors, give your new doctor a copy of your medical record. To help manage your IC, join the ICA to learn about the latest treatment options, ask an IC question , and check out support group information. Make an appointment to meet with the doctor. You may want to interview another healthcare provider and compare findings. During this appointment, ask some of the questions listed below.

Learn about their experience treating IC patients and usual treatment approaches.