CYSTITIS

The reason for UTI susceptibility in women, is that the urethra is much shorter and is closer to the anal area, which increases the risk of bowel bacteria entering the urethra. Left untreated, cystitis may lead to a kidney infection. An infection in one or both ureters is called ureter inflammation, and if this is not effectively treated it can lead to a very serious kidney infection. There are other risk factors for UTIs: sexual activity, some types of birth control such as diaphragms, the decline in oestrogen after menopause causing the lining of the bladder to become thinner and thus more susceptible to infection. Fortunately, such infections are easy to treat effectively.

PTA: Guten Morgen. Was kann ich für Sie tun?
Young female customer: Do you speak English?

What can I do for you?
My roommate recommended that I visit a pharmacy before going to the doctor. That’s why I’m here! We’re in the middle of writing exam papers and there’s so much work because of all the online lectures that I really don’t have time to spare!

What exactly are your symptoms?
Well, it’s a little embarrassing! Could we talk somewhere private?

Of course, no problem! Please, follow me. This is our back office, so it’s really private. Before we start, do you mind disinfecting your hands with the hand-sanitizer before you sit down, please?
Of course I don’t, no problem! Well it’s like this you see, I have been having trouble peeing the last two days.

Could you describe your symptoms exactly, please? Well I don’t have a temperature or anything like that, but when I pee it burns a little. And I have this urge to pee much more often than normal.

On a scale of one to ten, where one is very mild and ten very bad pain, what score would you give the pain?
A three, maybe a four.

And is your urine different in colour? Red, pink, or even cola-coloured?
Well, it’s a little darker than usual, like when you eat beetroot, or don’t drink enough.

Do you have pain anywhere else, like in the pelvic area?
Not really, no.

Okay, I think that you might have a case of cystitis. You said that you have only noticed the symptoms over the past two days, correct?
Yes. What do you think that I should do?

From your symptoms, I believe that the cystitis is mild, but if left untreated, it could develop into a much more serious infection, such as a kidney infection. Kidney infections are exceptionally painful! You should drink plenty of fluids, and then I recommend you these capsules with bearberry leaves, they disinfect your urine and the urinary tract. If there is no recovery in the next days, you should visit a doctor.
I’ll do that. Thank you so much.

You are more than welcome. Goodbye!

You can find this article on page 30 in DIE PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 05/2021.

Catherine Croghan, Lecturer in English and native speaker