Bladder Infections
BACKGROUND
Bladder infections, also called "cystitis," are very common in females
because the opening from the outside of the body to inside the bladder is very
short. This makes it easier for bacteria (usually the healthy E. coli which
come from our rectum/stool) to get into the bladder. While most bacterial infections
simply get washed out each time you urinate, the E. coli have little "Velcro-like
sticky pads" on them that allow them to stick to the bladder wall — so
they don't wash out.
Although bladder infections can occur without symptoms, more often they trigger
an intense urge to urinate (urgency), urinating frequently (even when there
is little urine), and burning on urination (called dysuria). Blood visible in
the urine is less common, and warrants a trip to the doctor.
Before beginning antibiotics, it is good to have the doctor get a urine sample
to do a culture to test for bacteria. Often in women with recurrent bladder
symptoms there is no infection, and the antibiotics simply make the problem worse in
the long run.
In men, because the penis makes it a long trip for bacteria, bladder infections
are uncommon unless there is a blockage. This usually occurs from prostate problems
in men over 60 or from kidney stones in younger men. In a young man with urinary
burning, prostatitis is more likely than a bladder infection. If you wake with
even a drop of discharge (before you urinate) on the tip of your penis, you
also need to check for sexually transmitted infections (it may not be, but have
it checked). If you have the symptoms of urinary urgency and burning and the
doctor can't figure out what it is, look into a condition called "pelvic pain in men."
TREATMENT
Consider seeing your doctor for a urine culture immediately. If you have blood
visible in the urine, a fever, or back pain with the infection, you must see
the doctor immediately. In addition, here are natural treatments you can do
for bladder infections (if the symptoms are not resolving by 24 hours into treatment,
see your practitioner):
General Diet Advice
Drink water
Drink plenty of water to wash out the infection.
Recommended Supplements
D-Mannose
Take the supplement D-Mannose.
If prone to bladder problems, this is a good supplement to keep in your medicine
cabinet. It is a healthy sugar which is excreted in the urine. It coats the
"Velcro-like sticky fingers" of the E. coli bacteria so that they can't stick
to the bladder. Then the bacteria wash right out when you urinate! The dose
is 1 teaspoon each 3 hours while awake till the infection is gone (use 1/2 dose
in children 5 years old and younger and it is OK in pregnancy and diabetics).
To prevent recurrent bladder infections, take 1/2-1 teaspoon 2x day (especially
after sex). Higher dosing can be used if needed and it can safely be used long
term. It has no effect on healthy bacteria, and therefore has none of the toxicity
of antibiotics.
Vitamin C
Add vitamin C 500 mg 2-6x during the day.
Treating Recurrent Infections
Verify the bacterial infection
Check repeat urine cultures to confirm the symptoms are actually from a bacterial
infection.
Bathroom habits
The bacteria come from the anal area, so when you wipe after a bowel movement,
wipe in a direction toward your back and away from the bladder. Otherwise, you're
offering the bacteria a free ride to your bladder.
