10 Tips to Get Rid of Cystitis Naturally & The Causes of It

Anything with the word -itis on the end indicates inflammation. Cystitis is a urinary tract infection (UTI), an irritating condition that usually affects women, though men and children can also be affected. Over half the women in the U.K. will suffer from cystitis at some stage in their lives, often reccuring. Though it can be painful, it doesn't usually cause any long term complications and is conventionally treated with a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics severely disable the immune system. To read more about this go: here.

If you are someone who suffers from it frequently it can be a symptom of another underlying issue in the body that needs healing/balancing and something like antibiotics could be exacerbating the situation leading to Interstitial Cystitis/Chronic/Recurring Cystitis, making the problem in the long run a lot worse. See below for more:

What Causes Cystitis?

There are 2 types of cystitis: Acute and Chronic (also known as Interstitial cystitis). Chronic Illnesses are often a disease that has formed over a long period of time, Acute illnesses will usually run it's course, with or without intervention (coughs, colds, teething, acute cystitis etc).

The most common cause of acute cystitis is when bacteria, enters the urethra and travels into the bladder. This can happen during sexual intercourse, when inserting tampons or by wiping/washing your bottom from back to front. Women who use the contraceptive diaphragm may also be at risk of cystitis.

If the bladder is not emptied fully this can also cause bacteria to multiply, this is especially common in pregnant women because of the pressure on the pelvic area. After the menopause women have a reduction in female sex hormones and so the lining of the urethra and the bladder become thinner and so are more likely to become infected and damaged. Women also produce less mucus after the menopause and without the mucus bacteria are more likely to multiply.

In women physical damage or bruising often caused by vigorous or frequent sex can also lead to cystitis this is sometimes known as 'honeymoon cystitis'. Men who have an enlarged prostate gland are more at risk of getting cystitis, this is because the prostate prevents the bladder from completely emptying. When the bladder is not completely emptied the small drop that is always left behind may contain bacteria (a cause of cystitis).

Symptoms linked with cystitis:

• Pain (often burning) in the genitals when passing urine or constantly.

• Feeling of wanting to pass urine more often than usual and yet having very little urine to pass.

• Urine may be dark or cloudy and contain blood.

• Strong or fishy smelling urine.

• A high temperature.

• A dull ache or pain in the lower back or abdomen.

Cystitis is commonly diagnosed with a urine test, this will usually be a dipstick in your urine with your doctor. If you are unfamiliar with cystitis and worried about any symptoms you have, you should always visit your doctor first. These symptoms can also be a sign of another type of infection, such as a sexually transmitted disease.

Recurring / Chronic / Interstitial Cystitis:

The most prominent symptom of Interstitial Cystitis/Chronic cystitis is chronic pelvic pain that is often relieved upon urination. When the bladder refills, the individual experiences the discomfort again. Urinary frequency can be between 16 times per day and as high as 60 times daily for some individuals. This can obviously cause nocturia that interrupts the individual's sleep. Many individuals with IC also experience painful intercourse. For many individuals with IC they experience courses of remission and acute flare-ups. For women, symptoms tend to get worse during ovulation or during the premenstrual period. Symptoms seem to be similar to a urinary tract infection (UTI) but the condition is not infectious and has a negative urinary culture.

Symptoms are often exacerbated by foods high in acids such as coffee, carbonated beverages, alcohol, citrus fruits, spicy foods and tomatoes. Foods high in arylalkylamines may trigger symptoms in some individuals. These foods include beer, cheese, yogurt, bananas, chocolate and wine. A food journal should be used so the individual can relate food and beverage intake to symptomatic changes.

The greatest risk factors for developing IC are a history of recurring UTIs and history of anti-biotic usage. Both of these factors open a portal for the development of a chronic Candida infection that appears to be the root of IC symptoms. The Candida yeast breaks down the urothelium, although many urologists still do not understand the causes for IC, doing a candida cleanse has helped many people heal their IC naturally.

Please see more here on how to test and treat IC and Candida Overgrowth.

10 Tips to Naturally Treat Acute Cystitis:

If you are familiar with acute cystitis or have had it diagnosed here are a few tips to treat it naturally without the need for antibiotics. To be taken for 2-4 days or until symptoms subside and cystitis is cleared:

Soothing:

1. Firstly the most soothing thing you can do right away is place a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen. This will help relax your bladder muscles from contracting enabling to pass urine a lot easier.

2. Drink Nettle tea all throughout the day. As a diuretic, nettle tea helps to flush out bacteria and toxins in the urinary tract during infection. The anti-inflammatory properties of nettle may help to soothe inflamed tissues in the bladder.

3. Take 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of Soda or Baking Soda in half a pint of water 2-3 times a day. This helps neutralise the acidity of the urine which causes the burning sensation. Do not take this if you have heart troubles or high blood pressure!

Important:

4. Tea tree oil suppositories - these are the most effective natural antibacterials that you can use locally inserted into the vagina to be taken as a 6 day course. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and antiviral that will help to kill the bacteria that causes inflammation and pain.

5. Drink 2-3L of water a day! This helps flush out any toxins and bacteria.

6. Take 2 tablets of Quest kyolic garlic 3 times a day. A Natural antibiotic and immune enhancer.

7. Vitamin C plus bioflavanoids 4,000mg daily in divided doses, don't take at night as vitamin C can keep you awake. Produces antibacterial effect through acidification of urine. Important in Immune function.

Helpful:

8. 1 tablet first thing in the morning on an empty stomach of Renew Life's Women's Complete Ultimate flora Probiotic

9. Now foods Calcium and Magnesium softgels. take 2 tablets daily. Aids in the stress response and works best when balanced with calcium.

10. Now Foods Cranberry Mannose powder sachets. Take 1 sachet 3 times a day in a glass of water. Cranberry helps prevent bacteria from adhering to the lining of the bladder. Stay away from commercial cranberry juices as they are usually very low concentrations of actual cranberry and filled with high-fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners, making cystitis worse!

Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, sugar, chemicals, refined and processed foods. Eat plenty of whole foods, vegetables, good quality organic, free range, wild protein. These dietary changes will help neutralise your bodies pH levels and reduce any inflammation in the body.

Is there anything I can do to prevent future attacks of cystitis?

To prevent future infections you should avoid anything that might cause irritation such as:

• Nylon tights and underwear (choose cotton underwear instead).

• Tight trousers and jeans.

• Perfumed soap, talcum powder or deodorants in the genital area.

• Bubble bath and bath oils. Use only natural soaps or water, bath salts and essential oils.

You should also try the following:

• After you have been to the toilet always wipe from front to back.

• Wash your genital area morning and night.

• Try to pass water before and after sex.

• Take showers instead of baths.

• Try to drink at least 2L of liquid a day.

• Take a cranberry supplement, as it stops bacteria from clinging to the cells lining the bladder.

• Pass water as soon as you feel the need - don’t “hang on”. The bladder only stays clean and free from bacteria if it is emptied regularly.

#cystitis #urinarytractinfections