Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection, accounting for approximately 50% to 70% of all UTIs. It is more prevalent in women because their urethras are shorter than men's and closer to the anus, making them more susceptible to E. coli invasion. The most typical symptoms of cystitis are frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination. While undergoing proper antibiotic treatment, patients may also benefit from drinking baking soda water to aid recovery.
Consuming baking soda water alkalizes urine because baking soda breaks down into CO₂ and H₂O within the body. This reduces hydrogen ion concentration in bodily fluids, thereby lessening urinary tract irritation. It can help alleviate discomfort such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain.Additionally, alkalizing urine inhibits bacterial proliferation. Escherichia coli, the most common pathogen causing cystitis, multiplies rapidly in acidic environments. Alkaline urine effectively suppresses its growth.Moreover, alkaline urine enhances the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs while reducing adverse reactions. For instance, sulfonamide drugs readily form crystals in acidic urine, damaging renal tubules and urinary tract epithelial cells. This can lead to crystalluria, hematuria, and flank pain, with severe cases causing oliguria, dysuria, or even uremia.
When experiencing urinary discomfort, cystitis patients may dissolve 1 gram of baking soda in 500 ml of water and drink it. Consuming 250 ml of this solution hourly over the next 8 hours yields favorable results.