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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1997)
wellnow What women can do about bladder infection lA/omen, is this scene familiar? It’s only been 15 minutes since you last went to the bathroom. You haven’t had one drop of liquid, yet your bladder feels like you’ve just slammed two Big Gulps. Again you try going to the bathroom, only to feel a painful, burning sensation. These symptoms, and others such as fever, nau sea, and chills, may mean you have cystitis, other wise known as bladder infection. According tojolene Siemsen, nurse practitioner at the Health Center, cystitis is a common com plaint among female students. A respected medical journal says that cystitis is the reason for seven million visits to doctors’ offices annually, leading to about 1 million hospital admissions. Because cystitis occurs so frequently, various misconceptions abound. We present a sampling of myths matched with the facts. MYTH: Cranberry juice will cure a bladder infection. FACT: Although the acid in cranberry juice creates a less friendly environment for bacteria in the bladder, it is not a cure. Many store-bought brands of cranberry juice contain a small amount of actual juice and a lot of sugar, so it doesn't give you optimal effect. Siemsen says that self-treatment at home will probably not work. The best way to treat cystitis is to visit the Health Center. Antibiotics can be prescribed, which will likely cure the problem quickly. MYTH: Bladder infections are a direct result of sexual intercourse. FACT: Although sexual intercourse and the use of some spermicides are common precursors to cystitis, there are other ways to get a bladder infection. Siemsen says horseback riding, long bike rides, and bubble baths can bring on infections. MYTH: If I urinate frequently, or if it hurts to urinate, or if I have the l-just-can't-wait-another-minute feeling, I must have a blad der infection. FACT: 'It's fairly common for someone with another type of infec tion to come to the Health Center thinking she has a bladder infection. Self-diagnosis can be risky,' Siemsen says. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can also mimic the symptoms of a bladder infection. There are some preventative steps you can take as well: *■ Drink plenty of liquids ^ Always urinate when you feel the need Urinate before and after sexual intercourse Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which may irri tate the bladder If you have the symptoms of cystitis, the best thing you can do is visit the Health Center. For an appointment call 346-4441. — Robin Weber DOCIUU. mi I S' This is the TALE. OF TtJO PQRPA COATES LIKE moSTx THEY UiERE POMD OF TV AHD JuaIK Foob THEN. OME DAY., UJHoAn CHEC/F ''N ,QUT THAT POSTER.J PEER HEALTH ^education Room T'JESpAYS T'So-ir.&Am DROP by FoKA Fre£ CHOLESTEROL SCREFAJJAJ^ Iowt op 3 TESTED HAve HIg-H cholesterol 1 HE\ MAYBE L>£ SHOULD Po THAT. WA.' Wo WEED X*rr» UVlWCI&U 00 X ft0TH£R^< ONE Blood test MTEK... 7*w c HoiEsrERoi COUNT WAS REALLY HlfrH \ OH Poop U/HAT <, w the LOSlCr face?. SINCE THE EFFECTS OF h/gh CHOLESTEROL SETS IN AFTER ag-e ’ %Os IT'D BE , 0EST TO START EATIAJ6- SETTER . AMD EXERCIS/nG. A /K u>elln looks like i FouwD m^SElF A*~> E*LRCIS£ ^B™EE |AMDSovthE Tuoo Oop/n /Wff£5 ITooK SEF/VMTf Path 1 VABO'JT YourV ICHotESrEIZo^J Vair.vuck...J r i ^u£S5 5o 'THiR'T'T Years AWD OWE HEART ATTACK OH v Dow't worry. You'll RECOV/EK »oot WELL DOC 'X G-UESS YOU lW£RE RIG-HT YY YEAH OLD /BvDDYn UeU STAKE 600D CAEE IA.YPV Peer health education room 34{,_q456 TUESDAYS 9:3o-ll:30A<n FREE CHOLESTEROL ScreEtnIIMG AND FREE POST-SCREEN|A/<F CouWSELIWG- WITH A PEER HEALTH EDUCATOR oR A DIET IT/AM CREATED BY: GREG BYRD IPKAuiN sx: niichael. Ia)UtHT u/iy<?6 Fall staff, 1996: Matt O'Brien, Tessa Moser, Robin Weber, Jeff Erickson, Dan MacLellan, Greg Byrd, Jennifer Hoyt, Jamie,Abbott, Amy Getman, Lisa Meneely WellNow is published each term, except summer, for UO students by the Health Education Department of the Health Center, 13th and Agate Streets, University of Oregon. Art: Terry Thompson, Michael Wright Photos: Zanne Miller Adviser: John Monahan
