Final answer:
To manage uncomplicated cystitis, clinicians primarily prescribe antibiotics and recommend pain medication for dysuria relief. Fluid intake is encouraged, and routine urinalysis may be used for diagnosis. Treatment varies in elderly patients due to an increased risk of complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Managing Uncomplicated Cystitis:
To manage uncomplicated cystitis, a common urinary tract infection often caused by Escherichia coli, clinicians may prescribe a course of antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones, nitrofurantoin, cephalosporins, or a combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Pain medication can help alleviate symptoms like dysuria, which involves a burning sensation during urination. For more severe cases, especially in the elderly who are at higher risk for complications, antibiotics may be adjusted based on the susceptibility profile of the bacteria to prevent sepsis or kidney infections.
Alongside medication, patients are recommended to drink plenty of fluids to flush out bacteria from the bladder and avoid irritants that can worsen symptoms, such as hygiene sprays or spermicides. It's also worth noting that misconceptions like the idea that drinking cranberry juice can prevent or cure urinary tract infections are prevalent. While cranberry juice may help reduce the risk of recurrent infections, it should not replace medical treatment.
Cystitis may also resolve without antibiotics in some cases, and if symptoms are mild and self-limiting, healthcare providers may encourage watchful waiting. However, routine manual urinalysis is often used for rapid screening, with test strips detecting the presence of nitrites, leukocyte esterase, and other markers that indicate an active bacterial infection.