How To Treat Cystitis

Nerve Stimulation

There are two nerve stimulation methods patients might benefit from. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may help reduce urinary frequency and pelvic pain and works by sending mild electrical impulses to attempt to increase how much blood is flowing to the bladder. This might help to reduce pain by triggering certain substances that help to inhibit pain, and may also aid in bladder muscle strengthening to reduce urinary leakage. The low voltage electrical impulses are delivered with wires placed strategically on the pelvic and lower back areas. This electrical current keeps the body from being able to properly send painful sensations along the nerves to the brain. It can also help boost bladder flow to a region that can be used to speed up healing of the bladder.

Sacral nerve stimulation targets the sacral nerves, which are a crucial link between the bladder and the spinal cord. Helping stimulate them could result in decreased urinary urgency. In this procedure, the doctor puts a wire close to the sacral nerves. This type requires surgery for long-term device implantation where TENS does not. Sometimes a healthcare professional will show patients how to use these machines and adjust their settings so treatment can continue at the patient's home.

Keep going for information on more ways to treat cystitis.