Bladder infection occurs in the organ of the body that gathers,
holds, and eventually releases urine. There are many types, causes, and
symptoms of bladder infections. One of the more common bladder
disorders is cystitis, a bladder infection that is painful, may be
recurrent, and causes urine to turn cloudy. Bladder infections may also
cause difficulty in urination, frequent urination, and bloody
urination. Treatment for bladder infections varies, but generally
includes increased liquid intake and antibiotics.
Interstitial cystitis (IC), one of the chronic pelvic pain
disorders, is a condition resulting in recurring discomfort or pain in
the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms of IC vary
from case to case and even in the same individual. People may
experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in
the bladder and surrounding pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent
need to urinate (urgency), frequent need to urinate (frequency), or a
combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the
bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women's symptoms often get
worse during menstruation.
Women can help prevent bladder infections by wiping from front to
back with toilet tissue after a bowel movement and by urinating after
having sexual intercourse. In selected patients with very frequent
urinary tract infections (more than 2 infections every six months)
prophylactic antibiotics may be given. Prophylactic antibiotics may
also be used in men whose chronic prostate problems increase the risk
for bladder infections, and in pregnant women with bacteria in their
urine, with or without symptoms. Nosocomial bladder infections related
to catheters can be prevented by using a sterile closed urine
collection system, by antimicrobial ointments, and by short-term
antibiotics.
In IC, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or
stiff. Glomerulations (pinpoint bleeding caused by recurrent
irritation) may appear on the bladder wall. Some people with IC find
that their bladders cannot hold much urine, which increases the
frequency of urination. Frequency, however, is not always specifically
related to bladder size; many people with severe frequency have normal
bladder capacity. People with severe cases of IC may urinate as many as
60 times a day.
Also, people with IC often experience pain during sexual
intercourse. IC is far more common in women than in men. Of the more
than 700,000 Americans estimated to have IC, 90 percent are women.
One theory being studied is that IC is an autoimmune response
following a bladder infection. Another theory is that a bacterium may
be present in bladder cells but not detectable through routine urine
tests. Some scientists have suggested that certain substances in urine
may be irritating to people with IC, but no substance unique to people
with IC has as yet been isolated. Researchers are beginning to explore
the possibility that heredity may play a part in some forms of IC. In a
few cases, IC has affected a mother and a daughter or two sisters, but
it does not commonly run in families. No gene has yet been implicated
as a cause.
Scientists have not yet found a cure for IC, nor can they predict
who will respond best to which treatment. Symptoms may disappear
without explanation or coincide with an event such as a change in diet
or treatment. Even when symptoms disappear, they may return after days,
weeks, months, or years. Scientists do not know why.
Treatment with antibiotics usually cures all uncomplicated bladder
infections. In rare cases, an untreated bladder infection may spread
upward in the urinary tract to affect the kidneys, causing
pyelonephritis, inflammation and infection of the kidney.
There is no scientific evidence linking diet to IC, but many doctors
and patients find that alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate,
caffeinated and citrus beverages, and high-acid foods may contribute to
bladder irritation and inflammation. Some patients also note that their
symptoms worsen after eating or drinking products containing artificial
sweeteners. Patients may try eliminating various products from their
diet and reintroducing them one at a time to determine which, if any,
affect symptoms. It is important, however, to maintain a varied,
well-balanced diet.
While many advocate acidification of the urine, this is not
consistent with the overall dietary goal of the alkalinization of the
urine. Studies have demonstrated that potassium or sodium citrate (125
to 250 mg, 3 to 4 times per day) is the best way to accomplish this.
Higher doses have even been used as the sole agent to successfully
treat some patients. It is also felt that an alkaline urine makes
herbal treatment (or antibiotics) more effective.
One herb that has been used with cystitis is Yarrow.html">Yarrow Herb.
Take 2-4 ml tincture of Yarrow Herb stem and flowers; take 3x/day in a
little water. Or make a tea with 1-2 tsp of dried herb; steep in just
boiled water 10-15 minutes; strain; drink 3 cups or more a day.
The
herbs/nutrients mentioned above reflect the major nutritional
supplements that may help the condition. Please do remember however
that nutritional supplementation is an adjunct to medical treatment and
in no way replaces medical treatment.
- Interstitial Cystitis. NIH Publication No. 02-3220. The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
