Cystitis
Infection of the lower urinary tract, more common in women: why self-medicating is a bad idea and which habits help prevent it.
La infección de las vías urinarias bajas es más frecuente en mujeres por su anatomía; tratarla a tiempo evita que llegue a los riñones.
Cystitis is an infection of the bladder and lower urinary tract. Bacteria, almost always from the gut, enter through the urethra and travel up to the bladder, causing burning when urinating and an urgent, frequent need to go. It is far more common in women because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus.
Taking antibiotics on your own breeds bacterial resistance and makes the problem worse in the long run; treating it early and correctly stops the infection from reaching the kidneys. Drinking water steadily, not holding in urine and wiping from front to back help prevent it. Fever, lower back pain or blood in the urine call for prompt medical attention.
