Why Bladder Infection (Interstitial Cystitis) Can Be A Problem

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 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

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