My dear friend,
Have you ever woken up in the night because of the annoying symptoms of cystitis? If so, you know how difficult it can be to sleep when you need to pee every few minutes or feel severe pelvic pain.
But don’t despair: in this article I will provide you with some practical tips to relieve cystitis symptoms at night and (finally) sleep soundly. ❤️
Symptoms of cystitis, including pelvic pain, frequent urination, and burning sensation, can often worsen at night due to decreased urine production that aggravates bladder symptoms.
Other contributing factors may include:
But let’s go in order.
Pelvic pain is a factor in worsening nighttime symptoms. But mind you, this does not mean that he only shows up at night: it is that we notice it more because we are lying in bed and are not engaged in other activities or distractions.
So, what to do if the pains don’t go away and won’t let you sleep peacefully?
Without the distractions of day labor, pelvic pain can completely absorb your attention-especially if it prevents you from relaxing into a gentle sleep.
For this reason, I suggest you focus your mind with a guided meditation as soon as you get into bed. Draw your attention to breathing and relaxation and turn your attention away from pain.
Read also: Can cystitis occur even without burning?
Consider your nightwear: best to abandon tight, constricting garments, as they only risk increasing pain and worsening other symptoms.
Instead, prefer loose-fitting pajamas made of a soft, natural, breathable fabric-a very loose nightgown or briefs, such as beltless pajamas, prevent unwanted pressure on the bladder.
The position in which you sleep may increase the pressure on the pelvic area and make the pain more intense. Try a position that helps relax the pelvic muscles.
For example, you could try lying on your side and lifting your legs into the fetal position. Or, if you have a habit of sleeping on your back, try spreading your legs apart.
Believe it or not, bowel emptying can also be helpful in managing the symptoms associated with cystitis. So, try to go bodily whenever you feel the urge. Never exert yourself, however, if the stimulus is absent.
Heat is an excellent pain reliever and an easy solution to pelvic pain. A hot water bottle or a heat pad on the pelvis will help loosen tight muscles that have contracted; a hot shower before bedtime is also a good solution.
Avoid scented or flavored beauty products because they can cause irritation and worsen symptoms. Instead, use a simple, mild soap to wash yourself, such as our Dimann Soft. 🫧
Try stretching before bed to loosen up the tight muscles around your pelvis. The less these muscles are contracted, the less pain you will experience. 🥰
Remember to perform only light exercises, such as walking or doing some yoga. These can release natural pain-neutralizing chemicals in the brain called endorphins. But be careful, because vigorous exercise can worsen symptoms and have a negative effect on sleep patterns.
You may also seem to pee more often at night, which may go unnoticed during the day. But waking up every few hours to pee is certainly not the best: it interrupts sleep and leaves you groggy the next morning.
So, what can be done?
To treat – and prevent – cystitis, it is necessary to drink plenty of water throughout the day. This is essential to clear the infection, but it is a case of minimizing fluid intake 2-3 hours before bedtime-this way you avoid interrupting your sleep with peeing.
Therefore, try to spread your water intake throughout the day (to be clear, drinking two liters of water in the evening to compensate is not the solution! 😉).
Also, be sure to empty your bladder completely before getting comfortable under the covers.
Many women experience a more persistent burning sensation when they pee at night or early in the morning. This is because urine production is minimal at these times.
Remember that more concentrated urine is much more irritating, and that is with or without the addition of bacteria! In the middle of the night, after spending hours without drinking fluids, the urine in the bladder is very concentrated. Thus, the more concentrated the urine, the more irritating it is to the bladder.
What can be done to minimize this problem?
I recommend taking Dimann Flogo, a dietary supplement containing acetylcysteine, bromelain and apolactoferrin, indicated for the acute phase of cystitis.
Speaking of nutrition.
As we mentioned earlier, drinking plain, non-carbonated water as much as possible throughout the day is a solution to this problem, as it helps to keep urine less concentrated and eliminate infections. I reiterate this because it is so important: try to consume more fluids at the beginning of the day so that your bladder is less full before bedtime.
Foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, other caffeinated beverages including carbonated soft drinks, alcohol, processed meats, and spicy foods are foods to be reduced. Simple carbohydrates, including sources of refined sugar, sugary foods, and foods containing white flour, such as white bread or white rice, are also to be controlled.
In particular, caffeine is a diuretic, which means you need to go to the bathroom more often. It can also irritate the lining of the bladder, so try to avoid it if you have ongoing cystitis.
Alcohol is also a bladder irritant, so it is advisable not to drink it during convalescence.
If you would like to learn more, I leave here an in-depth look at the diet to follow during cystitis. 🥰
Finally, if you smoke, avoid doing so before going to bed. Cigarettes contain chemicals that could further disturb the bladder.
Sometimes sex can worsen cystitis symptoms, so even if it is your normal nighttime routine, consider rearranging it until symptoms are under control, or simply be more aware of good habits, such as:
In any case, it is best to avoid having sex if you have ongoing cystitis-you can resume as soon as you feel better. ❤️
If you have any other questions, remember that I am here to help you!
I give you a big hug,
Lorenza
Why do cystitis symptoms get worse at night?
Symptoms of cystitis, including pelvic pain, frequent urination, and burning sensation, can often worsen at night due to decreased urine production that exacerbates bladder irritation.
What to do if pelvic pain does not pass and does not allow you to sleep peacefully?
I suggest concentrating the mind with guided meditation as soon as you get into bed, favoring loose, non-constricting pajamas, and trying to change positions during sleep. It is also helpful to empty the bowels, use a hot water bottle or do some light stretching.
What can be done to minimize the burning sensation during cystitis?
Drinking plain, non-carbonated water as much as possible throughout the day is one solution to this problem, as it helps to keep urine less concentrated and eliminate infection. It is also recommended to reduce consumption of caffeinated beverages, alcohol, processed meats, and spicy foods, and to avoid sexual intercourse if you have ongoing cystitis.