Inflammation of the Bladder? Learn How to Self-Treat It!

Many women suffer from cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, at least once in their lives. Find out how to prevent and treat this painful infection!

Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder caused by bacterium E.coli (Escherichia coli) which can find its way from the bowels through the urethra into the bladder. The condition often affects women since their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus from where this bacterium (normally present in healthy bowels of mammals) spreads into the sterile environment of urethra (urine is sterile). If bacteria in the bladder multiply too fast (before they’re flushed away with urine), an infection occurs. Sex increases the possibility of infection because it helps transfer bacteria from the urethra to the bladder. Remember that during infection, you shouldn’t practice penetration.   

How to treat inflammation of the bladder?

Inflammation of the bladder is a painful infection which is at first felt as a frequent and urgent need to urinate. Other symptoms include: blood in the urine, pressure in the lower pelvis, abnormal urine color (cloudy) and foul or strong urine odor. If not treated, it can spread and affect the kidneys.

First aid for inflammation of the bladder is water: drink large quantities of it, half a liter every half an hour. The usual painkillers or anti-inflammatory meds might help at an early stage. Bearberry (Uva ursi) tea is even better than water: it has antibacterial properties, which can fight infection  due to several chemicals, including hydroquinone. The herb also contains tannins that have astringent effects, helping to shrink and tighten mucous membranes in the body. That, in turn, helps reduce inflammation and fights infection. You can buy it in any pharmacy; it is advisable to drink it no longer than a week. In case you don’t get better in a week, pay a visit to your doctor. Other herbal medicaments include parsley and chamomile teas, lemon drinks and beverages with the addition of cucumber, barley, ginger or cinnamon. Apart from drinking tea many women prepare steam baths with oak bark which can be bought from the nearest pharmacy. If everything fails, consult your doctor who’ll write you a prescription for antibiotics.

How to avoid inflammation of the bladder?

Your granny will probably give you the following (useful) advice: keep your feet warm at all times, wear clothes that hide your stomach and bladder. Wear cotton underwear and rinse it thoroughly to wash away irritating washing powder. Don’t wear thongs or g-strings, at least not every day. Make sure your clothes are appropriately loose and never too tight. Don’t drink coffee, but drink a lot of water instead. Empty your bladder straight after sexual intercourse to flush away the bacteria which could get into the bladder. Even if only a couple of drops can save you from a nasty infection. After urinating, wipe yourself from the front backwards. And the last one - carry agate – the crystal which makes your bladder stronger – in your pocket.

Add a handful of cranberries to your breakfast muesli or eat cranberries instead of candy. When you feel your bladder getting weak, prepare (in a food processor) yourself a splendid drink made from three spoons of fresh or frozen cranberries, an apple or a banana, cinnamon, the cayenne pepper, ginger, a drop of milk and a tea spoon of honey. If you don’t like the taste of cranberries (or if you can’t get them), try a dose of cranberry capsules.

Is your body too acidic?

There is another type of cystitis, sometimes called a painful bladder syndrome which may elude diagnosis and is usually diagnosed as a bacterial infection although this may not the case. Chronic bladder infection is more often than thought a consequence of the body being too acidic and has nothing to do with bacteria. Modern diet may damage our health and make the pH balance in our bodies lean from alkaline to acid and inflammation of the bladder is one of minor problems caused by disrupted Ph balance in our bodies. 

If herbal medicines and antibiotics don’t help and the inflammation keeps coming back, you might suffer from this second type of cystitis, the so- called interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome. Acid urine thins the urinary bladder and causes the following symptoms: chronic pain and irritation of the bladder, frequent urinating (as often as every 10 minutes), urgency, and pressure in the bladder and/or pelvis, foul odor of urine, and painful sexual intercourse. All these may also be symptoms of bacterial inflammation, cancer, STDs, neurological dysfunction or kidney illnesses which must be eliminated beforehand. Cranberries are not advisable when the body appears to be too acidic, coffee, alcohol and sweets are to be avoided as well. Try out an elimination diet to see what causes your condition.

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