How To Information:

What you need to do

Increase fluids

Going often to the bathroom helps wash bacteria out of the infected bladder. To keep the bladder full, drink plenty of water or other kinds of fluid. Avoid alcohol and coffee, which can irritate the bladder.

Here's more about fluids:

• Drink 10 ounces of fluid every half-hour until the burning goes away.

• Drink cranberry or blueberry juice. Studies show that drinking these juices helps rid the bladder of infection more quickly. Both juices also help prevent attacks of cystitis.

• Increase vitamin C intake. Oranges, pineapples, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables are good sources.

• If the acidity of the above juices and fruits can't be tolerated, add baking soda (one teaspoon) to 10 ounces of fluid. Drink this two or three times a day.

• After burning disappears, continue drinking 10 ounces of fluid every hour for two to three more days.

Try pain relievers

If pain is severe and continues after trying these steps, painkillers may help relieve symptoms. One kind, called phenazopyridine, is often used specifically to relieve painful urination. It requires a prescription.

Urinate frequently

Wash the bacteria out of your bladder by going to the bathroom every hour or so:

• Relax and let your bladder empty completely.

• In women, always wipe from front to back to avoid bringing new germs from the bowel area up to the opening of the urethra.

Clean carefully after a bowel movement

After having a bowel movement, women should wash the entire area carefully with warm soap and water. Be careful not to drag germs from the bowel area to the urethral opening.

• Use one set of clean cloths for the anal area and another set for cleaning around the urethral opening and vagina.

• Wash, rinse, and pat the anal area dry with the first clean set. Put these cloths into the laundry.

• Use the second clean set to wash, rinse, and pat dry the area from your urethral opening back to the vaginal opening. Put these cloths into the laundry.

To launder the cloths:

• Set the washer at its hottest setting and wash both sets of dirty cloths together.

• Add the recommended amount of detergent.

• Add the recommended amount of bleach.

• Dry the cloths on the dryer's hottest setting.

Following these steps essentially kills all germs on any dirty or contaminated cloth or clothing.