Show cystitis the red card with cranberry capsules

CYSTITIS can occur when bacteria enters the bladder, causing an urgent, frequent and often painful need to urinate. Almost all women will experience it once, and about 20 per cent will get cystitis again. It is more common during pregnancy, in sexually active women and postmenopausal women. The usual treatment for recurrent cystitis is antibiotics, but GPs may prefer not to prescribe them because of the risk of antibiotic resistance. A new study has shown that a cranberry extract containing high levels of PACs (proanthocyanidins) can be effective at preventing the bacteria responsible for repeated infections from sticking to the bladder wall. Sugar-free capsules containing a high concentration of cranberry extract are now authorised to be used for the prevention and treatment of cystitis, providing women with a natural alternative.