Bladder Infection
Bladder infection, also known as cystitis, occurs
when bacteria, generally from outside the body,
enter the urinary tract and infect the urethra and
the bladder. Bladder infection is most common in women.
Dribbling urination is common and emptying the bladder will not always
relieve the urge. The onset of the infection can
be slow or sudden, and cramping pains intensify
the suffering. The infection can also be mild,
with symptoms of bladder irritation while
urinating without the accompanying pain. Since
kidney infections can result from untreated bladder infections, seek professional care if the
pain is
severe or if the infection does not react to
treatment. Other signs to be treated seriously are lower-back pain,
fever, or
blood in the
urine.
Recurring bladder inflammations without the
presence of an infection are called interstitial
inflammations because the pain and swelling
occur between the tissues and not on the bladder
walls, as most infections do. This type of
inflammation is particularly frustrating to diagnose and
treat since lab tests return negative results, as
there are no
bacteria present and antibiotics do
not help. The symptoms of this type of
inflammation are the same as for other bladder
infections, but the process tends to be chronic and
recurring.
Bladder infections result from bacteria that cause
an inflammation of the bladder's inner lining. In
women, the urethra is short and close to the anus
and vagina, so bacteria can enter the bladder
easily. E. coli, which is beneficial to the lower bowels
but hazardous if it finds its way to the urinary
organs, is the most common bacterial cause of
bladder infection. Genital hygiene is crucial in
women who are predisposed to, or suffer from,
recurrent bladder infections.
Men also get bladder infections as a result of a
chill or possibly linked to a prostate problem.
Antibiotics, oral contraceptives, stress and poor
diet all weaken the immune system and create a
tendency for recurring infections. Some sexually
transmitted diseases also cause symptoms similar
to those of bladder infections.
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition
caused by inflammation of the space between the
urinary bladder lining and the bladder muscle.
The causes are varied, but bacteria are generally
not found in the bladders of chronic cystitis,
sufferers and antibiotics are therefore ineffective. In
contrast, the more common bladder infections
are caused by bacteria originating in the large
bowel. It is therefore important to get a urine
culture done to determine if bacteria are present
before starting antibiotic prescriptions. Bacteria
may pre-sensitize the bladder so that various
promoters (certain medications, foods, hormones,
viruses
and even exposure to cold drafts and dampness)
will start the chronic disease process.
Interstitial cystitis is a progressive disease
which may range in severity from microscopic
ulcers to a completely scarred bladder. Interstitial
cystitis is an environmentally-induced illness
which frequently responds to diet and lifestyle
changes.
Supplements and herbs
Bladder infections are helped with large doses of
vitamin C, which increases the acidity of urine,
producing an environment unfavorable for
bacteria. Vitamin C also aids the immune system
in fighting the infection. If vitamin C causes loose
stools, reduce the dosage slightly.
For an interstitial inflammation, avoid regular
vitamin C because of its high acidity. Instead, use
calcium ascorbate, which is vitamin C buffered
with calcium. It contains the immunity-strengthening powers of vitamin C without the acidity.
Especially for recurring bladder infections, vitamins
A and E are recommended.
Vitamin E
improves oxygen supply to the cells and prevents
scarring that can sometimes become quite severe
with the recurring irritation of interstitial bladder
inflammation. Vitamin A and beta-carotene are
essential for maintaining the mucus membranes
that line the bladder walls. They also support
immune-system function. Zinc should be added for
a stronger immune system.
Garlic capsules act as natural antibacterial agents.
Acidophilus cultures help
prevent bladder infections related to candida and should be added to the diet
whenever antibiotics are being taken. If infections are chronic and recurring,
green-food supplements and drinks, especially chlorella,
spirulina and
blue-green algae, support cell renewal.
Herbal teas help clear the infection and heal the
urinary tract. Add 1 cup boiling water to 1 tsp.
herbs, steep for fifteen minutes, strain and drink
1 cup three times daily.
- Horsetail increases the excretion of urine by
thirty percent and strengthens the elastic tissue
of bladder walls.
- For chronic bladder infection, use a blend
containing equal parts of chamomile
flowers, and bearberry leaves.
- Lemon balm, birch leaves, stinging
nettle
leaves and roots, dandelion leaves and roots,
parsley, yarrow or
rose hips, taken alone, will
help clear up the infection.
Homeopathy
In acute infection the chosen remedy in the
30c strength can be taken
hourly or even more often. Once symptoms subside, this can be reduced
to a dose every other hour, gradually going down to 3 times daily. Even
if the condition clears up very quickly, continue to take one dose a day
for 2 or 3 days to prevent recurrence. If after several hours there is no
reaction, the remedy may not be the appropriate one, and after
re-thinking things, another remedy can be tried. In more chronic irritations, take
the remedy once daily for one or two weeks for permanent results.
- Cantharis
Violent burning pain; cutting, razor-like or scalding, Blood in the urine.
Intense urging sensations. Constant desire to void with great straining.
Difficult urination, drop by drop. Tender lower abdomen. Thirst and
fever.
Irritable and abusive. Increased sex drive. Worse seeing running water.
Worse: coffee, touch, before & after urination. Better: warmth, rest.
- Equisetum
Constant desire, urging, fullness, not better by urination. Nightly urination.
Prickling, cutting or burning pain in urethra during, and worse at the end
or after urination. Large amounts of pale urine or dark urine with
mucus.
Feels constantly distended. Aching, tender bladder area.
Bedwetting.
Worse: after urinating, touch, pressure, motion, sitting. Better: lying.
- Merc carr
Intense constant urging, not relieved by urinating. Stitching, tearing pain.
Scanty burning, hot urine, passed drop by drop, Contains blood and flecks
of mucus. Rectal urging at the same time. Chilly, thirst for cold drinks.
Faint, weak, trembling. Foul breath, much
sweating. Anxious and restless.
Worse: night, warmth, acids, motion. Better: lying on back, rest, rocking,
- Sarsa parilla
Burning at end of urination-cries out. Pain in tip of urethra or internally.
Pain in urethra radiates up into abdomen. Urging before urinating. Hard
to urinate unless standing. Flows easily at night, possible bedwetting.
Urine dribbles while sitting. Scant, slimy or bloody urine; red sediment.
Bladder stone. Worse: night, motion, cold, damp. Better: standing.
- Staphysagria
Urging, pressure, but difficult to urinate; urine in thin stream or by drops.
Feels like a drop of urine rolling along urethra, worse walking or riding,
better urinating. Burning during urination, urging and pain afterward.
Cystitis after intercourse. Humiliation with suppressed anger, offended.
Worse: walking, riding, touch, night, cold, cold bed. Better: heat, rest.
What else you can do
- Rest and keep warm, especially the feet.
- Hot herbal packs, compresses, prolonged
sitzbaths and alternating foot baths are very
successful in treating a bladder infection.
- Keep the genital area warm with natural-fiber
(cotton or wool) underwear.
- To strengthen the bladder, exercise the
sphincter muscle by contracting it and holding for a
few seconds and then releasing it. This exercise
is identical to stopping the urine flow in mid
stream. Repeat this exercise a few times a day.
- Women who have recurrent bladder infections
should wipe from front to back after every visit
to the toilet. Both partners should shower
before sex and urinate after. As a prevention, do
not hold urine for any length of time (urinate
whenever there is the urge to), and avoid
douching or using any sort of vaginal deodorants, as these change the vaginal flora and
increase susceptibility to infection.
Usual dosage
- Garlic, 2 capsules 3 times a day
- Vitamin A, 25,000-50,000 IU
- Vitamin E 400-800 IU with mixed tocopherols.
- Vitamin C 4,000-10,000 mg in divided doses a day with bioflavonoids.
- Beta-carotene, 100,000 lU
- Zinc, 50 mg, with 5 mg copper
- Green food supplements, 1 table spoon
- Lactobacillus acidophilus, 2 capsules or 1 tsp. three times daily (take forty-five minutes before meals)
More useful herbs
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