-IBIS-1.7.6-
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urinary system
Cystitis
Integrative Therapies

Home Care

Cystitis or bladder infections are usually bacterial. If not treated, they can spread to the kidneys, prostate, or the urinary pathways. Bladder infections occur much more often in females than males, except in early infancy when it happens equally to either sex. Always consult a physician for children with bladder infections.

When you have a bladder infection, there is usually an urgent and frequent need to urinate, often with little result. The urine may seem very concentrated, appearing darker or smelling stronger than it normally does. There may be pain in the stomach and lower back as well as pain during urination. If symptoms persist for more than 3 to 5 days, or if there is blood or pus in the urine, a fever, or extreme pain, consult a physician.

The bacteria responsible for the bladder infection come from vaginal secretions, fecal matter, or, less often, the bloodstream. A weak immune system can encourage the growth of bacteria. Factors associated with an increased risk of bladder infections include pregnancy, frequent sexual intercourse, sexual abuse, anal intercourse, poor nutrition, and stress. One type of bladder infection commonly called "Honeymoon Cystitis" appears at the onset of sexual activity or with a change of sexual partners.


THE FOLLOWING SUPPLEMENTS ARE USEFUL, AND YOU CAN TAKE THEM UNTIL SYMPTOMS IMPROVE:

1. Beta-carotene – 100,000 Units twice a day. Pregnant women or women who may become pregnant should not take more than 15,000 units of Beta-carotene per day.

2. Zinc – 30 milligrams per day.

3. Vitamin C – 1,000 milligrams 4 to 6 times a day. Reduce the amount if your bowels become loose.


THE PROPER DIET FOR A BLADDER INFECTION WILL INCLUDE:

1. Unsweetened cranberry juice – Drink 4 to 10 glasses of the juice daily as soon as you suspect you have an infection and until all symptoms are gone. Make sure the juice is not sweetened at all, not even with honey or grape juice concentrate. You can make your own juice by adding a handful of berries to 1 cup of water and mixing in the blender. The juice is tart.

2. Drink large amounts of fluids throughout the day – at least 2 1/2 quarts of liquids should be consumed by an adult. Fruit juices should be diluted with water to avoid a large fruit sugar intake.

3. As much as possible, avoid sugar foods (like candy, cake, cookies) and refined carbohydrates such as white flour products.

4. Eat foods rich in vitamin A such as carrots, winter squashes, and other yellow vegetables.

5. Eliminate caffeine, which comes in sodas, black tea, chocolate, and coffee.

6. Stop the use of alcohol.


HERBS USED FOR BLADDER INFECTIONS:


1. Boil 3 quarts of water and add 1 once each of the following herbs: Uva ursi, Juniper berries, Buchu leaves and Oregon Grape root. Simmer for 10 minutes and steep. Drink 1 cup every 2 hours until all symptoms are gone, then 1 cup per day for the next 3 days.

Caution: Do not use Juniper berries if you are pregnant or have kidney problems.

2. Cranberry concentrate can also be used in pill form- use 2 capsules, 4 times a day or up to 6 tomes a day as needed.


PHYSICAL THERAPY MEASURES:

1. Castor oil packs – Moisten a thin cotton cloth with castor oil and place on the lower abdomen. Cover with a plastic bag and then a dry cloth. Leave in place and rest for an hour. You can put a heating pad or hot water bottle on top to heighten its effect.

2. Sit in a bathtub of hot water for 20 minutes once or twice a day. Make sure the room is warm and free from drafts. Follow this with 20 minutes of bed rest.


HOMEOPATHY:

From the following homeopathic remedies, choose the one that best matches your symptoms. Dissolve 3 pellets under the tongue.

• Cantharis 6C: Use in cases where there is cutting, stinging pain just before, during, and after urination. The urine is dark colored, and there may be increased sexual interest. Take once per hour.

• Mercurius corr. 6C: For painful contracting of the bladder, constant urge to urinate, and burning. Sometimes can't urinate. Take once per hour.

• Equisetum 6C: For excessive urine, pain during and after urination, or bedwetting. Take 3 to 4 times per day.

• Staphysagria 6C: For bladder infections after sexual intercourse. Burning pains between times of urination. Pain decreases after urination. Take 3 times per week, or following intercourse.


AVOIDING RECURRENT INFECTIONS:

1. To prevent recurrent bladder infections, avoid polyester pants, underpants, and pantyhose. Bacteria thrive in the moist heat trapped by synthetic fibers. Use, instead, cotton underwear.

2. Urinate after intercourse to flush out bacteria. Make sure to completely empty your bladder whenever you urinate.

3. Wipe your vagina from front to back after urination rather than from back to front. This helps avoid the transfer of bacteria from around the rectum and surrounding tissues.

4. Avoid using bath crystals, salts, or bubble baths.

5. Experiment with switching your brand of contraceptive spermicide if it seems to be an irritant.

6. Have your diaphragm checked to make sure it fits properly. One that is too large will encourage infections.

7. Since stress can aggravate the symptoms, seek counseling for sex- or anger-related issues.


Clinic

Footnotes

Avorn J, Monane M, Gurwitz JH, et al. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. JAMA 1994;271:751-754.

Axelrod DR. Ascorbic acid and urinary pH. JAMA 1985;254:1310-1311.

BarShalom R, Soileau J. (eds.) Natural Health Hotline. Beaverton, OR: Integrative Medical Arts, 1991-1999.

Bodel PT, Cotran R, Kass EH. Cranberry juice and the antibacterial action of hippuric acid. J Lab Clin Med 1959;54:881-888.

Dignam R, Ahmed M, Denman S, et al. The effect of cranberry juice on UTI rates in a long term care facility. J Am Geriatr Soc 1997;45:S53.

European Scientific Cooperative for Phytotherapy. Proposal for European Monographs, Vol. 3. Bevrijdingslaan, Netherlands: ESCOP Secretariat, 1992.

Sanchez A, Reeser JL, Lau HS, et al. Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. Am J Clin Nutr 1973;26:1180-1184.

Sirsi M. Antimicrobial action of vitamin C on M. tuberculosis and some other pathogenic organisms. Indian J Med Sci 1952;6:252-255.

Sobota AE. Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: Potential use for the treatment of urinary tract infections. J Urol 1984;131:1013-1016.

Sun DX, Abraham SN, Beachey EH. Influence of berberine sulfate on synthesis and expression of pap fimbrial adhesin in uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Antimicr Agents Chemother 1988;32:1274-1277.