Urinary Tract Infections, Cystitis

Warning about the treatment of kidney problems

It is not permissible to treat or make suggestions for kidney disease under the 1968 Medicines Act.   However a retailer is sometimes faced with customers looking for ways to prevent recurrent kidney infection, kidney stones and cystitis diagnosed by  their doctors.

What is an Urinary Tract Infection?

UTIs make their presence known when it becomes increasingly painful to go to the toilet.   There is a painful burning sensation when trying to urinate.   The urine itself may be dark in colour and a bit smelly.   Because of this many women think that drinking less will alleviate the problem, less trips to the toilet, therefore fewer painful experiences.   In fact this will not help.   Think of a garden pond in the summer heat, the water level is lowered, the water is thick will all sorts of organisms, and it is often smelly too!

So it is painful to urinate, it burns, and sometimes urination is almost impossible.    Drink more water.

We know how it feels, but what exactly is a UTI?   The problem arises in the bladder and is caused by the bacteria know as E. coli, (not the same bacteria that causes gastroenteritis).   There are a few other possible bacteria, but this one is by far the most common.

What happens when we eat and drink.

Food and drink starts off in the mouth where it is chewed, swallowed and ends up in the stomach.  This is then mixed with enzymes and pulped into chime.   It then enters the small intestine were the useful nutrients are absorbed into the system.   By the time the chime reaches the large intestine, it separates out into liquids and solids.   The solids end up in the colon or bowel to await it’s exit from the body, and the fluids into the bladder.

The bladder

The bladder is  a big stretchy bag that accommodates the fluid that our body no longer needs.   It can hold up to two pints in a healthy adult.  To empty it should require about eight visits during a 24 hour period.   Like many other bits of the body it is lined with mucus, just a small amount to help it function.

At the point of urination the urine travels down the urethra to exit the body.

How UTIs Are Acquired

Cold Causing Cystitis

Ladies of a certain age may remember their mothers saying that not wearing enough clothes would lead to a ‘chill in the kidneys’.   Actually, a chill may very well spark off cystitis.   In the last few years fashion has dictated that middles should be bare.   That is all very well if on holiday abroad, but not in the winter in the northern climes.   This could be one of many reasons for cystitis.  The Nature Doctor, Dr. A. Vogel is quoted as saying “Whatever results from a cold can only be taken away through heat”.   He suggests using hot herbal packs, compresses and prolonged sitz baths.  The ‘sitz bath’ or hip bath has long since gone out of fashion, but hot water bottles or the wheat and lavender packs that can be heated in the microwave can give some relief.

Clothing and Cystitis

Bacteria like to be warm so they can flourish.   What better environment than pants, then tights, panty girdle and trousers, or even worse, tight fitting jeans!   The problem with modern clothes is that they are often made of man made fibers.   That part of the anatomy does not get to breathe, but gets hot and sticky.   Bacteria love it, the perfect breading ground.   Cotton pants with stockings are preferred option if trying to prevent cystitis.   That is one end of the scale, the other and chosen by younger women is the thong!   Badly fitting thongs can spread bacteria.   As the E.coli  comes from the colon, it is not hard to imagine it finding it’s way into the urinary tract.

Sanitary towels, tampons and panty liners, if not changed regularly, harbor the unwanted bacteria.

Hygiene

Given that nearly all cystitis is cause by the e.coli bacteria that is present in the colon, and the proximity of the anus to the urethra, great care needs to be taken with toilet hygiene.   It is essential to wipe from front to back to prevent any faecial material from getting into the urethra, then up into the bladder.   Showers are preferable to baths when cystitis is present.   Tea Tree soap rids the area of bacteria.

Irritants

On the subject of bathing, think twice before using bubble baths, bath balls, and highly perfumed soap, as these can cause further irritation to the sensitive area.   Most of these products are chemically made, and whilst they might smell nice, they are not helpful.

Sexual Hygiene

The following may sound like a passion killer, but this routine should be adhered to if you do not wish to have cystitis.   Given the closeness of the anus, vagina and urethra, bacteria will get transmitted back and forward.   It is advisable to wash this area before and after intercourse.   Also, drink water before intercourse takes place, and immediately afterwards.   Empty the bladder within 15 minutes of intercourse.

Men don’t suffer cystitis to the same extent as women, so may not understand the misery that it causes!

Cystitis and Cancer.

The two standard treatments for cancer can cause Cystitis.  Chemotherapy when passed out in the urine can be very irritating to the bladder, where it can cause inflammation.   This is called ‘chemical cystitis’.

Radiotherapy, if used in the pelvic area can cause inflammation to the bladder wall, giving rise to a very severe from of cystitis.

Catheters can also cause bacterial infection.

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence can be a cause of cystitis.   When stress incontinence first happens, it can be a cause for concern.   No one wants to wet themselves, especially in public.   What to do?   In the last few years makers of sanitary protection for women have introduced the panty liner.   Like sanitary towels these come in various sizes, to meet the increasing need; and now complete pants for the most serious condition.   Whilst those are very helpful, they too can cause bacteria to flourish.   This is not to say don’t use them, but change frequently to cut down the risk.   There are times when it is vital for peace of mind to use such things, and they can be invaluable.

The second related issue is how much liquid to drink?   Ladies with a leakage problem often think that the less they drink, the less risk there is of an accident.   What happens is that the urine becomes stronger, thus increasing the bacteria, and making the painful burning sensation more unbearable.  We all know the situation, a special function, and the really big knickers that streamline the body.   Trouble is that they are just about impossible to get off in the toilet, so it is tempting to sip drinks to avoid the inconvenience.

That might be okay occasionally, but go back to drinking the amount of water required to keep the system working properly.

Solutions for Stress Incontinence

Being reliant on pads is only part of the solution.   It is better to strengthen the pelvic floor, to prevent leakage.   After giving birth whether naturally or by caesarean, weakness can occur.   Similarly with other gynaecological procedures.   The medical profession always recommends pelvic floor exercises, but how many of us are willing to do them?  A new mum has enough on her plate without considering anything else.

Pelvic Floor Exercises are simple enough, just tightening the muscles and relaxing.   This can be best experienced when urinating, and learning to stop mid stream.   Once the sensation of stopping the urine is mastered, this exercise can be continued for a few minutes at a time several times a day.

In severe cases a physiotherapist might help, by using a gadget inserted into the vagina, linked to a computer, one will see on a screen the efforts being made, and encouragement being given to ‘try harder’!

Testing the Capacity of the Bladder

If after reading the section on the bladder it came as a surprise to you that 8 visits to the toilet were what was required to empty the bladder, it might be worth testing your own performance!  Without making notes it is often difficult to know exactly.   All that is needed is a chart with the time of day running down the side of the page, and at the top fluid intake, and fluid out put.   Use an old plastic measuring jug for the visits to the toilet, remember to rinse it after use, and wash your hands.   Record the amount.

When taking liquids try to drink from items that are easily judged, a water jug, or drinking mugs that you know exactly the capacity of.   Everything you drink needs to be put on the chart, even soup.   You may have to carry out this experiment over a long weekend, as it can be difficult in the work place.

The findings can be very revealing.   Do we actually go to the toilet because we feel the need, or is it a habit.   Do we wake up in the night because of a disturbance, and think that it is a good idea to go to the toilet a the same time?   Have we noticed that when a toilet is not readily available we can go the whole night long?

Asking ourselves just how much is conditioning, and how much is need can tell us a lot about our habits.

Other Health Issues If UTIs Are Not Treated

This is a serious condition and should not be left untreated, because ignoring the problem could lead to kidney damage. It may be that you have had a number of antibiotics and have found that you are resistant to them, and now wish to consider the alternatives.

First Aid For A Quick Fix

However much you do not wish to go to the toilet for fear of pain, you simply must drink lots of water.   A large glass every 20 minutes for at least three hours, then one every hour after that.  Take on teaspoonful of BICARBONATE OF SODA in a large glass of water once an hour for three hours.   This will make the urine less acidic, so will make urination bearable, and will arrest the growth of bacteria.  Warning, do not try this treatment if you have heart, kidney, liver or blood pressure problems.

To further alleviate the condition, a mild painkiller can be used, and hot water bottles or wheat packs could be used on the back, abdomen an between the thighs.   Then cosy in to the settee with a good book or film to take you mind of it!

Relief from the exterior burning can be achieved by applying the Bach RESCUE CREAM, which  will cool and calm the sensitive and painful area

Herbal Supplements

Cranberry

The history of the Cranberry is a long one.   The early settlers to America were given the berries to treat infections, wounds, indigestion and liver disease.   The native peoples knew the value of the this plant.  It was found useful to sailors; it cured scurvy, the active ingredient Vitamin C.   Cranberry was recognised as a treatment for cystitis and bladder problems, but thought of as old wives tales.   Sad that it has taken four hundred years to be accepted as a useful medicinal plant.

Much research has been carried out and the conclusions without a doubt show that Cranberry is successful at curing and reducing urinary tract infections.

Two glasses of the Cranberry juice a day is regarded as sufficient to fight urinary problems.   The active ingredient is ARBUTIN.   It works by stopping the E.coli sticking to the lining of the bladder.   Combined with the drinking of water, the harmful bacteria can be flushed out of the system.   Whilst this is good, the Cranberry juice on sale in the supermarkets is only about one third Cranberry, the rest water and sugar.   Sugar is known to crash the immune system, and right now, it needs boosting.   Also, diabetics would find the sugar levels unacceptably high.

There is a product CRAN MAX, a powdered concentrate available from health food shops.   One research treated 12 women with CRAN MAX and another 12 with low dose antibiotic.   In 6 months there was one case of UTI in the CRAN MAX group, the other 11 women having no further problems, whilst there were 25 cases in the antibiotic group, an average of 2 cases per person.

Cranberry juice has been found to neutralise the odour of urine, so it is often used in homes for the elderly to reduce the smell, as well of course of helping prevent the UTIs.

Warning if suffering from diabetes, Cranberry juice is not for you due to the high sugar content.

Uva Ursi

The herb ARCTOSTAPHYLUS UVA-URSI (Bearberry) is a relative of the Cranberry and the blue berry.   It too has the active ingredient ARBUTIN.   The Romans knew of its properties, as did the Chinese and the Native Americans.

It has a strong antiseptic effect on the bladder and urinary systems, regarded as the best for this purpose.   It has also antibiotic and diuretic qualities.   It is taken as a tincture, a few drops in some water three times a day.   A tincture is quite simply the herb, steeped in alcohol, then strained, what is left, is the tincture, usually brownish in colour, and not smelling too appetising.

Warning if taken in large doses Uva Ursi might in very rare cases cause ringing of the ears, nausea, vomiting, sense of suffocation, shortness of breath, convulsions, delirium and collapse.   Always stick to the recommended dose.

Solidago

Another herbal tincture which works as a diuretic.   It has anti-inflammatory properties.   It could be used with the Uva Ursi.   Solidago has been approved by the German Commission E monograph.   The Commission E is the equivalent of the Food and Drugs Administration in the USA.

There are actually quite a few herbs that would help, but the above mentioned are the most recognized.

Self Help

Now you know what food to eat and  what herbs to take, you need to make a plan, and the best way of doing this is to commit this to paper, a spread sheet-type of arrangement.   This is your body; your suffering and misery, a serious commitment is necessary to get rid of the problem.   Being reliant on a health care professional is not enough, the effort has to be made by yourself.

You might decide that you need two glasses of Cranberry juice a day, three doses of Uva Ursi, an abdominal rub of Bergamot and Tea Tree Oil, and you should decide on how much water you need to drink,(divide this into so much per hour) Also list food items that should be included in the diet.  This will keep you right, and give you the feeling that your are taking control of your situation.

Record also the times per day that you practice the pelvic floor exercises.

If no improvement is being made seek the advice of a health care professional.

Emotions

How are you feeling, what is going on in your life?  Yes, you are no doubt pretty fed up with the cystitis.   But anything else?   Most of us have some issue or another.   Louise L. Hay the famous author of ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ also produced “Heal Your Body’.   In this book she gives information on different parts of the body and how they relate to emotions.   Problems with the eyes represents the incapacity to see clearly, past, present and future.   Deafness she suggests is not wanting to hear.   For cystitis she suggests ‘anxiety’, ‘holding on to old ideas’, ‘fear of letting go’, ‘being pissed off’   Louise L. Hay suggested the following affirmation ‘I comfortably and easily release the old and welcome the new in my life, I am safe’.    Even if you think this a crazy idea, take time to consider it.   As for affirmations, they are commonly used in the business world if targets need to be met, and customers convinced that what is on offer is right for them.

Bach Flower Remedies

A few decades before Louise L. Hay, an English Harley Street doctor had similar thoughts.   He recognised that his patients would make a recovery if their mental states were positive.   Dr. Edward bach perfected remedies for 38 states of negativity.   He used plants plants to alleviate feelings of anger, resentment, lack of self esteem, and many more.   You can self diagnose, and the drops are readily available from chemists an health food shops.

Finally

There are a number of alternative therapists that could help. It is comforting to have Reiki, Reflexology, Acupuncture or Aromatherapy.   Ak at your local health food shop for recommendations.  All  these therapists should be licensed, caring, reassuring and professional.