Urinary infections, also know as cystitis, bladder infections or UTI's (urinary tract infections) are most often seen in women than children and men. Women are more prone to getting bacterial infections due to the design of the female anatomy with its shorter urethra (outlet for excreting the urine from the bladder). The bacteria can then more easily climb into the urethra and travel up into the bladder, where the conditions are favourable for the incubation and growth of the bacteria. Normally the urinary bladder is sterile, which means that a healthy normal bladder doesn't contain any bacteria at all. When the urethra or bladder is irritated or traumatized (such as during intercourse, trauma, injury, or surgery), it can be a breeding ground for the growth and proliferation of bacteria.
In the majority of cases, E-coli, a bacterium from the rectal and anal area, is responsible for contaminating the bladder, causing infections. E-coli bacteria are normal flora that resides in the large colon and stool samples. It is when these bacteria or other pathogenic bacteria spread into the bladder that it can cause a urinary infection.
An everyday cause of spreading this rectal bacteria to the bladder is the practice of wiping one's self from the back to the front after urinating and defecating. So for bladder infection prevention always wipe from the front to the back after having a bowel movement and after urinating. Also, it is a healthy practice to wash with soap and water after having a bowel movement, and asking your partner to do the same, especially before intercourse.
Symptoms of bladder infections can sometimes be silent or non-symptomatic, but for the most part, the symptoms can include one or more of the following: burning, stinging pain, sometimes excruciating and unbearable pain, frequency of urination, sometimes containing blood or mucous in the urine. If the infection is allowed to progress, there may be an urge to urinate constantly and no relief after urinating, with scant, hot, burning urine, Systemic or whole body fever with flushing, and nausea can occur in more severe cases.
It is important to treat the infection as soon as possible if the symptoms start to appear, when such symptoms arise, like the urgency and the desire to urinate more frequently. If urinary tract infections are left untreated, the bacteria, which have accumulated in the bladder, can then travel up into the ureters to the kidneys, and cause kidney infections. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and cause severe systemic infection and damage to the kidneys, which can have serious consequences, including irreversible damage to the kidneys and lead to the need for kidney dialysis or kidney transplants.
Professional attention should be sort if:
• Symptoms fail to improve within 24 hours.
• There is blood in the urine.
• The infection is accompanied by fever or severe pain.
Prevention
• One of the most important things you can do to prevent bladder infections is to drink at least eight to ten glasses of fresh, pure water each day.
• Empty the bladder completely when urinating, and have impeccable hygiene and body cleanliness.
• Diet is probably the single greatest factor in preventing cystitis. Sugary foods are the main culprit so they should be avoided when possible, especially if you are prone to recurrent attacks. Sugar affects the acid/alkaline balance of the bladder and too much sugar feeds bacteria (they love it and thrive on it) resulting in infection. Sycotic miasm)
• Avoid using perfumed or harsh antibacterial soaps on your body, as they can be a predisposing factor to the initial infection. Try soap-free washes or natural products as an alternative.
• Avoid tight underpants, trousers or nylon pantyhose.
Natural Treatment Alternatives
To follow is a list of many and varied natural UTI treatment alternatives. If you wish to self-treat with natural remedies for bladder infection or a urinary tract infection, it is important to first have a urinary culture and a urinalysis done. This way you can find out if there are any bacteria present in the urine and to find out what kind of bacteria may be causing the problem. These cultures should be done as soon as there are symptoms or when you suspect that there is an infection, and then again after the infection appears to have been cleared up or treated. Having a diagnosis from a GP is also recommended (of course your method of treatment is up to you!) This is because it is sometimes difficult for a woman to know whether she has a vaginal infection or a urinary infection. In this case, it is important to obtain a clean-catch mid stream urine sample and send it to the laboratory to be examined and cultured. Also, by telling your health care professional about the symptoms, sometimes she can help you distinguish between the two infections.
Homeopathic Remedies
Aconite
• Anxiety and agitation before urination due to the pain it may cause.
• Pain feels pressing, burning.
• Urine feels hot.
Apis mellifica –
• Only small amounts of urine are passed, with the last few drops stinging and burning the most.
• Stinging pain
• May be blood in urine (Please seek professional help if this symptom does not clear shortly after taking the medicine).
Arnica
• Following an injury or trauma.
• The whole body will also feel bruised and sore.
Belladonna
• With a sensation as if there is a worm or something crawling in the bladder.
• Blood in the urine (Please seek professional help if this symptom does not clear shortly after taking the medicine).
• May be accompanied by either retention of urine or incontinence.
• The urge to urinate continues even after urine has been passed.
Cantharis
• Painful, burning urine.
• Can only pass urine drop by drop due to the scalding pain.
• Constant desire to urinate with cutting pains before, during and after urination.
• Pain is felt from the bladder, right along the entire length of the urethra.
• May be blood in the urine. (Please seek professional help if this symptom does not clear shortly after taking the medicine).
Lachesis
• Resulting in the passing of offensive smelling urine.
• Accompanied by abdominal sensitivity.
• May have a sensation of a ball rolling around in the bladder or lower abdomen.
• Desire to urinate is greatly increased after lying down or sleep.
• May have stitching pains in the kidney area, especially the left and/or a dull pain in the left side of the back.
Lycopodium clavatum –
• For stitching pain, dull pressure in the bladder,
• Milky, red urine,
• Frequent urging, urinating mainly at night, incontinence at night,
• Flatulence and bloating associated,
• Cries before urination
Pulsatilla
• Desire to urinate is frequent; ineffectual; painful; urgent.
• Pain is spasmodic and burning; worse when lying down.
• Urine is copious.
• Hurries to pass urine to prevent it from escaping, but once there, the urine dribbles slowly.
• Slightest movement will cause urine to escape, even a cough or sneeze.
• Worse after urinating.
• Can occur after becoming cold and wet.
Sulphur
• Desire to urinate is frequent and urgent.
• Pain is burning.
• Urine is brown like beer; copious; smelly; scanty.
• Hurries to prevent urine from escaping but then passes only a few drops and dribbles each time.
• Worse on getting up in the morning; at night.
Essential Oils
The following essential oils can be used to help with cystitis due to their affinity with the gentio-urinary system. They can be placed in a burner, dabbed on a cottonwool ball and put under the pillow or added to a carrier oil (such as almond oil) and used in massage.
• 3 drops Sandalwood
• 2 drops Frankincense
• 2 drops Juniper
• 3 drops Clary sage (has both anti-spasmodic and sedative properties, making it especially useful if you have difficulty sleeping when you have cystitis).
Herbal Treatment
Parsley Tea
Parsley is a natural diuretic and helps to flush out infection causing bacteria from the bladder. You can make a tea by placing a bunch of fresh parsley with 1 ½ litres of spring water in a non-aluminium saucepan. Bring to the boil, cover and gently simmer for ½ an hour. Cool and strain and drink when needed.
Herbal Bath
Adding 500ml (2 cups) of chamomile tea and 8-10 drops of tea tree oil to a warm bath is very soothing and will increase circulation to the pelvic area.
Yarrow
Flush the bladder by drinking large quantities of yarrow tea at least 1-2 cups per hour. 250ml of strong yarrow tea can be added along with 500ml of strong chamomile tea to a warm bath. You can also alternate between hot and cold baths using this same mixture.
Goldenseal Tea
This is particularly good for women who suffer from cystitis after intercourse. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of goldenseal powder, cover, let steep to cool and strain. Use this solution to wash the vagina area before and after intercourse.
Old Fashioned Remedies
Water
Water intake should be increased during a bout of cystitis to flush out infection causing bacteria and ease the painful sensations associated with urination/urinary frequency.
Warm Salt Pack
This idea works on the same principal as a hot water bottle – relieving pain and inflammation. A salt pack has the added versatility of being able to be moulded to the lower abdomen and the salt stimulates circulation, increasing the rate of healing. To make a salt pack, Heat 250 g of salt in a heavy based saucepan to a warm temperature that you can tolerate and won’t burn you. Pour the warmed salt into a clean, thick sock, being careful not to overfill it, tying or pining the end securely. Apply to the lower abdomen and leave in place for ½ an hour.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is rich in vitamin C and fruit acids, which give relief to cystitis. Cranberries contain a substance, which make the lining of the bladder more slippery making it difficult for infection causing bacteria to take hold. It is particularly useful during the initial stages of infection to flush the bacteria out of the bladder before more painful and distressing symptoms set in. Cranberry juice is available commercially at health food stores and supermarkets but look for a brand that does not contain added sugar or other concentrated sweeteners as these will only exacerbate the problem by feeding the bacteria.
Bicarbonate of Soda
Place ½ a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in warm water. You can add a dash of fresh lemon juice to make the drink more pleasant tasting if you prefer. Repeat ½ hourly for a maximum of 2 hours (4 doses). This will make your urine more alkaline and less painful to pass. (Please don’t use this remedy if you have heart trouble or high blood pressure).
Barley Water
Barley water is an old but effective remedy. It is a strengthening nerve tonic, easily digested and has many nutritional qualities. It has a anti-inflammatory affect on the urinary and digestive systems, including the bladder. Simply place 2 heaped teaspoons of barley in a non-aluminium saucepan with 3 cups of water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, simmer for 20 minutes, stain and cool. Honey can be added to sweeten or you can drink it straight.
Supplementation
• Vitamin C is a well know anti-bacterial agent and is particularly good if you are prone to recurrent cystitis infections. It will make the internal environment more acidic inhibiting bacterial growth. (3000mg daily).
• Echinacea will boost the immune system. 5ml of tincture or 2 capsules every 2 hours for a maximum of 2 days.
• Goldenseal has antibacterial benefits. 2.5ml of tincture or 2 capsules every 3 hours for a maximum of 2 days.
• Uva Ursi also known as “bearberry”, is an excellent antiseptic, due to a substance it contains called arbutin, which converts to hydroquinone in the urine, which is a urinary antiseptic. Take ½ to 1 teaspoon of this herb per day or drink 3 cups of the tea per day.
• Marshmallow root - a demulcent herb which has an affinity for the bladder. It soothes and protects an irritable bladder.
• d-mannose - a special concentrate of the active ingredient of cranberries which is useful for preventing recurrent urinary infections.
Sources
* Clarke, J H: (1997) A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica
* Morrison, R:(1993) Desktop Guide to Keynotes and Confirmatory Symptoms.
* Scholten J: Homoeopathy and the Minerals
* Sankaran R:(1997) The Soul of Remedies
* Vermeulen, F:(2000) Synoptic Materia Medica
* Cummings, M.D., Stephen, and Dana Ullman, M.P.H. Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic Medicines. New York, NY: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam, 1997.
