Bladder Infections

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Bladder infections in womenare surprisingly common: 21% of all women have urinary tract discomfort atleast once a year.     Frequent urges to urinate, accompanied byburning, stinging pain during and at the end of urination, are the typicalsymptoms of a bladder infection. The onset of a bladder infection can be slowor sudden, and cramping pains intensify the suffering. Since kidney infectionscan result from untreated bladder infections, seek professional care if thepain is severe or if the infection does not respond to treatment. Other signsto be treated seriously are fever, lower-back pain or blood in the urine.     Many factors are associated with increasedrisk of bladder infection - pregnancy (twice as frequent), sexual intercourse(nuns have one-tenth of the incidence) and perhaps most important, structuralabnormalities of the urinary tract which block the free flow of urine. Refluxof the urine from the bladder up to the kidney is an important factor inrecurrent kidney infections.     In women, bladder infections are morecommon than in men due to the short distance between the anus and urethra, sobacteria can enter the bladder easily. E. Coli, which is beneficial to thelower bowels but hazardous if it finds its way to the urinary organs, is themost common bacterial cause of bladder infection. Genital hygiene is crucial inwomen who are predisposed to, or suffer from, recurrent bladder infections.     Men also get bladder infections as aresult of a chill or possible link to a prostrate problem. Antibiotics, oralcontraceptives, stress and poor diet all weaken the immune system and create atendency for recurrent infections.     Cranberries and cranberry juice have beenused to treat bladder infections and have been shown to be quite effective inseveral clinical studies. Recent studies have shown components in cranberryjuice to reduce the ability of bacteria to cling on, or adhere, to the liningof the bladder and urethra. In order for bacteria to infect, they must firstadhere to the mucosa (the lining of the bladder wall). By interfering withadherence, cranberry juice greatly reduces the likelihood of infection andhelps the body fight off infection.     It must be pointed out that most cranberryjuices on the market contain one third of cranberry juice mixed with water andsugar. Since sugar has such a detrimental effect on the immune system, use ofsweetened cranberry juice cannot be recommended.     Another herb with most research is thebearberry or upland cranberry, Ulva Ursis, which has powerful antisepticproperties that are marvellous for easing a bladder infection. Garlic isanother powerful antiseptic of great use in bladder infections.    A herb to strengthen the urinary tract andcure bladder infections is called Horsetail. Horsetail increases the excretionof urine by 30% and strengthens the elastic tissue of bladder walls.     During the acute stage of an infection,avoid salty, spicy foods as these irritate the bladder. Drink plenty of water,especially barley water. To make, boil 100g/4 oz. of barley in 1 litre of waterfor 30 minutes. Add lemon juice to taste. 

David FoleyMNIMH, MRCHMMedical Herbalist