The urinal bladder can become infected with bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract. Bladder infection is much more common in women than in men because a woman’s urethra—the passage that leads from the bladder to the outside of the body—is much shorter than a man’s, thus allowing bacteria to travel to the bladder more easily. Bladder infections can appear again and again, and the kidneys and other parts of the urinary tract may also become infected.
CONVENTIONAL APPROACH TREATMENT
Allopathic medicine typically relies on drug therapy to treat bladder infections. One of several antibiotics is commonly prescribed to eliminate the infection. They can include
- trimethoprim (alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole, then known as co-trimaxazole)
- amoxicillin
- nitrofurantoin
SYMPTOMS
- Burning and slinging sensation when urinating
- Cloudy, bloody, or unusual-smelling urine
- Frequent urges to urinate that produce only small amounts of urine
- Waking up at night with the urge to urinate
- Pain in the lower abdomen or back
- Fever, nausea, and vomit-ing (usually signs that infection has moved to kidneys)
PREVENTION
Some women are prone to repeated bladder infections. To prevent them, low doses of antibiotics may be prescribed for half a year or longer, or they can be taken each time after sexual intercourse. Doctors some-times also advise women to
- drink enough water so the urine is pale in color
- never ignore the urge to urinate
- wipe with toilet tissue from the front to back
- empty the bladder immediately before and after sex
ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES
Practitioners of several alternative therapies frown on conventional medicine’s dependence on antibiotics—drugs that can disrupt the body’s normal balance of bacteria and may trigger yeast infections and other conditions. However, the alternative and conventional approaches do share one aspect of bladder infection treatment: Self-help measures such as drinking a lot of water and cranberry juice and maintaining good toilet hygiene are important.
HERBAL MEDICINE
Herbs can be used to fight infection, soothe the inflamed urinary tract, and encourage urination (which flushes bacteria out of the system). Uva ursi (also known as bearberry and upland cranberry) can be effective in clearing infections and tti ering urination. Its leaves are often taken as a tincture or tea. Because it can be toxic, only small doses should be used. Follow the directions from your doctor or on the product’s label.
Echinacea (or purple coneflower) and goldenseal are commonly prescribed to boost the immune system and as a natural antibiotic. They can be taken in tincture or capsule form.
Marshmallow root and couch grass can relieve the inflamed lining of the urinary tract. For example, marsh-mallow root teas can be used. Other herbs that are helpful in treating bladder infection include alfalfa, buchu, celery, juniper berries. yarrow, and parsley.
A sample herbal remedy might be to take one teaspoon of uva ursi tincture, added to a cup of warm water, three times a day.
NUTRITIONAL THERAPY
Nutritional therapy offers sever-al ways to treat and prevent bladder infections. Cranberries are often prescribed to increase the acid content of urine, making it unfriendly to bacteria. It’s also thought that certain substances in cranberries may prevent bacteria from attaching themselves to the walls of the urinary tract. Research has confirmed that cranberry juice can effectively treat bladder infections. The juice should not contain added sugar, though, which may weaken the immune system. The fruit also can be taken in capsule form; this method can be desirable as it avoids the excess sugar in most cranberry juice formulas, but the patient must maintain her fluid—especially water—intake.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements may be used for the same antibacterial functions as cranberries. Other supplements that can aid in the treatment of recurrent infections include bioflavonoids, vitamins A and B, and zinc. If antibiotics are part of the treatment, then the body’s “good” bacteria should be reestablished with lactobacillus acieloplalus supplements or yogurt with live cultures.
Finally, good eating habits can contribute to a healthy immune system and lessen susceptibility to bladder infec-tion. Many practitioners of nutritional therapy recommend eating a diet high in fresh vegetables, whole grains, and organic foods and low in sugars, refined carbohydrates, saturated oils, and animal products. Any food allergies should be ruled out with the help of an elimination diet (see Allergies).
A naturopaddc physician may recommend drinking one quart of unsweetened cranberry juice daily as soon as the symptoms begin.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathic medicine works to treat bladder infections by giving highly diluted doses of a natural substance that would produce the same infection if given in full strength to a healthy person. The substances are taken from plant, mineral, or animal sources. To find a remedy appropriate for the patient’s symptoms, a homeopath questions the patient on details of the infection and assesses the general state of physical and emotional health. Using these clues, the remedy is then individualized to the patient. Common remedies for bladder infection include berberis, cantharis, pulsatilla, andsarsaparilla.
SEX MAY BE TO BLAME
Bacteria that have migrated from the intestinal tract to the urinary tract are often to blame for bladder infections. Sexual intercourse is one way to help the bacteria travel. Urinating before and after intercourse may help flush offending bacteria out of the urinary tract before they can get a foothold.
For a bladder infection marked by a burning sensation when urinating and a general feeling of restlessness, a homeopath may prescribe one dose of cantharis, 12c, every six hours for mild infection or 30c every two to three hours for more severe, acute infection. (The 12c and 30c refer to potency.)
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy can relieve the pain of bladder infections. The essential oils of sandalwood, cedarwood, pine, tea tree, and juniper are commonly used. These oils are often administered with body com-presses and massages and in warm sitz baths and regular baths. it is important that these therapies not be used in conjunction with homeopathic treatments.
Here’s a sample aromatherapy treatment: Mix ten drops of essential sandalwood oil with one ounce of massage oil (such as almond oil). Rub the mixture over the bladder area, three times a day.
OTHER THERAPIES
Chiropractic-Some cases of bladder infection may benefit from a rebalancing of the lower spine. Detoxification,
Fasting, and Colon Therapy-Short fasts can purify the urinary tract.
Hypnotherapy-Warm or hot sitz baths and compresses can relieve the pain of bladder infection. These and other forms of hydrotherapy can increase blood circulation and encourage the healing process.
Traditional Chinese Medicine-Bladder infection is often attributed to an excess of damp heat in the bladder. Treatment can include acupuncture, acupressure, and herbal therapy.