Antoaneta Sawyer, Ph. D.
Definition: An UTI is a bacterial infection (caused by the bacteria E. coli in 85-90% of the cases that affects the inside lining tissue of the urinary system (or tract). This system includes the kidneys, which form urine from liquid waste in the blood: two narrow ureters, tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the muscular bladder, which stores it; and a single urethra, the final common path from the bladder to the outside world. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common type of infection after the pulmonary infections. It is also one of the most common bacterial diseases in North America.
Main symptoms:
A frequent urge to urinate.
Painful urination.
Painful dribbling of urine, despite the frequent and strong urge to urinate
A painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination or even when not urinating
An uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone (in women) or a fullness in the rectum (in men)
Cloudy, milky or reddish urine. When the above symptoms are combined with high fever, you should be sure that one or both kidneys may be involved in the process.
With other words the infection can be either ascendant or descendent type. You may experience nausea, vomiting and back or side pain below the ribs.
Main symptoms:
A frequent urge to urinate.
Painful urination.
Painful dribbling of urine, despite the frequent and strong urge to urinate
A painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination or even when not urinating
An uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone (in women) or a fullness in the rectum (in men)
Cloudy, milky or reddish urine. When the above symptoms are combined with high fever, you should be sure that one or both kidneys may be involved in the process.
With other words the infection can be either ascendant or descendent type. You may experience nausea, vomiting and back or side pain below the ribs.
Genetics: Some people have a genetic predisposition to UTI. If your mother had recurrent UTI, you have a good chance of having it too. Why exactly is that way it is not well known, but it is supposed as a consequence of a protein that does permit E. Coli to glue itself to the “ pili” of the UT.
Aging: The lack of enough youthful estrogen level leads to a quick death in the usual bacteria Lactobacillus Dederlain on their right place can lead to a significant loss of the above anaerobic bacteria, with a subsequent rise in the vaginal pH leading to an easy E. coli (or yeast) colonization.
Causes.: The main causes for interstitial cystitis are:
E. coli causes 85-90% of the UTI in adults.
Staphylococcus epidermidis (5 to 15% of cases)
Chlamydia trachomatis
Mycoplasma hominis.
Neisseria gonorrhea
People infected with Chlamydia trachomatis or Mycoplasma hominis can transmit the infection very easily to their sexual partner during sexual intercourse, causing secondary UTI. Due to strong immune system you may not face any of the symptoms (especially in men), but you are still able to transfer it to your partner. Having said this being asymptomatic doesn't have to make un alert, especially in case of multiple partnership.
Main mechanism of appearance: Urinary tract infection begin when bacteria travels to the urethra and once inside the urinary tract, these bacteria attach themselves to the cells lining the urethra and the bladder with small connectors named “pili”. Due to immune suppression, in case of degenerative disease (cancer of any other) or just due to “locus minoris resistance” (the weakest organ, system or tissue in the body) the above bacteria are allowed to insert themselves. They start rapid self proliferation and overpopulate extremely rapidly. The infection go upstream reaching up to the kidneys and it shows several well known symptoms as: fever, pain in the kidneys’ region, nausea, and vomiting, extremely painful and frequent urination with or without blood in the urine. Very quickly the above bacteria can cause pyelonephritis in the kidneys with chronic outcome if left untreated.
Anatomy of the UT: It is well known fact that women are significantly more prone to UTI due to the fact that their urethra is shorter than men’s and its location is closer to the anus, from which bacteria can easily pass. 25% of the women complain several times in their life from UTI. There is a cystitis known also under the name” traumatic cystitis” and it is provoked with sexual intercourse. As older the women become as they increase the chance of the above traumatic cystitis. The chance to obtain the above infections grows proportionally with the ages, and it is inherited from a mother to a daughter also. Any type of injury or kidney (bladder) stone can lead to UTI. Pregnant women in general are more predisposed to the above infections also. People with decreased and compromised immune status suffer of frequent infections due to the suppressed immune system. Stress can be also another reason for the increasing rate of UTI in the life of women and men.
What to do in case of UTI? When your overall symptoms presuppose the availability of UTI you will be asked for urine sample for microbial study. After the bacteria type is determined an antibacteriogram must be requested in order to clarify the type of antibiotics that can fight the infection till its final eradication.
Traditional medicine will treat you with broad spectrum antibiotics. Your MD may prescribe:
Penicillin’s in their synthetic version- Ampiccilin, Amoxicillin etc.
Macrolides- Erythromycin, Roxithromycin etc.
Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole or just Trimethoprim
Nitrofurantoin
Fluoroquinolones- Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin etc.
Holistic medicine advices the following:
Aging: The lack of enough youthful estrogen level leads to a quick death in the usual bacteria Lactobacillus Dederlain on their right place can lead to a significant loss of the above anaerobic bacteria, with a subsequent rise in the vaginal pH leading to an easy E. coli (or yeast) colonization.
Causes.: The main causes for interstitial cystitis are:
E. coli causes 85-90% of the UTI in adults.
Staphylococcus epidermidis (5 to 15% of cases)
Chlamydia trachomatis
Mycoplasma hominis.
Neisseria gonorrhea
People infected with Chlamydia trachomatis or Mycoplasma hominis can transmit the infection very easily to their sexual partner during sexual intercourse, causing secondary UTI. Due to strong immune system you may not face any of the symptoms (especially in men), but you are still able to transfer it to your partner. Having said this being asymptomatic doesn't have to make un alert, especially in case of multiple partnership.
Main mechanism of appearance: Urinary tract infection begin when bacteria travels to the urethra and once inside the urinary tract, these bacteria attach themselves to the cells lining the urethra and the bladder with small connectors named “pili”. Due to immune suppression, in case of degenerative disease (cancer of any other) or just due to “locus minoris resistance” (the weakest organ, system or tissue in the body) the above bacteria are allowed to insert themselves. They start rapid self proliferation and overpopulate extremely rapidly. The infection go upstream reaching up to the kidneys and it shows several well known symptoms as: fever, pain in the kidneys’ region, nausea, and vomiting, extremely painful and frequent urination with or without blood in the urine. Very quickly the above bacteria can cause pyelonephritis in the kidneys with chronic outcome if left untreated.
Anatomy of the UT: It is well known fact that women are significantly more prone to UTI due to the fact that their urethra is shorter than men’s and its location is closer to the anus, from which bacteria can easily pass. 25% of the women complain several times in their life from UTI. There is a cystitis known also under the name” traumatic cystitis” and it is provoked with sexual intercourse. As older the women become as they increase the chance of the above traumatic cystitis. The chance to obtain the above infections grows proportionally with the ages, and it is inherited from a mother to a daughter also. Any type of injury or kidney (bladder) stone can lead to UTI. Pregnant women in general are more predisposed to the above infections also. People with decreased and compromised immune status suffer of frequent infections due to the suppressed immune system. Stress can be also another reason for the increasing rate of UTI in the life of women and men.
What to do in case of UTI? When your overall symptoms presuppose the availability of UTI you will be asked for urine sample for microbial study. After the bacteria type is determined an antibacteriogram must be requested in order to clarify the type of antibiotics that can fight the infection till its final eradication.
Traditional medicine will treat you with broad spectrum antibiotics. Your MD may prescribe:
Penicillin’s in their synthetic version- Ampiccilin, Amoxicillin etc.
Macrolides- Erythromycin, Roxithromycin etc.
Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole or just Trimethoprim
Nitrofurantoin
Fluoroquinolones- Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin etc.
Holistic medicine advices the following:
Drinking plenty of fluids (tea, natural juices, soups or filtered water) but not sodas.
Cranberry, blueberry, blackberry are great holistic treatment choice. Cranberry natural juice contains powerful anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, and quercetin- powerful antioxidants and flavonoids that help fighting the infection for a short period of time. Take cranberry pure extract either in caps- 1g (1000mg) daily or drink 10 undiluted ounces of natural juice ( but not the one sold in the grocery shopping reach on sugars)
Uva-Ursi (bearberry juice) is an astringent, tonic and light diuretic. In capsules you can take 2-3 caps daily.
D-Mannose is the Natural Alternative to Antibiotics for UTI. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Chlamydia trahomatis cannot be treated with D-mannose. D- Mannose has very rapid healing effect in case of E coli UTI only (1 teaspoonful dissolved in water or juice every 2 or 3 hours).
Diet: The diet must be very light, liquid, warm and not provocative or spicy.
You have to cover the zone with warm blanket and to give few days of complete rest.
Do not be afraid to urinate when you feel the urge, despite of the strong pain.
Cleanse the genital area daily and follow the right direction from front to behind.
Cranberry, blueberry, blackberry are great holistic treatment choice. Cranberry natural juice contains powerful anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, and quercetin- powerful antioxidants and flavonoids that help fighting the infection for a short period of time. Take cranberry pure extract either in caps- 1g (1000mg) daily or drink 10 undiluted ounces of natural juice ( but not the one sold in the grocery shopping reach on sugars)
Uva-Ursi (bearberry juice) is an astringent, tonic and light diuretic. In capsules you can take 2-3 caps daily.
D-Mannose is the Natural Alternative to Antibiotics for UTI. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Chlamydia trahomatis cannot be treated with D-mannose. D- Mannose has very rapid healing effect in case of E coli UTI only (1 teaspoonful dissolved in water or juice every 2 or 3 hours).
Diet: The diet must be very light, liquid, warm and not provocative or spicy.
You have to cover the zone with warm blanket and to give few days of complete rest.
Do not be afraid to urinate when you feel the urge, despite of the strong pain.
Cleanse the genital area daily and follow the right direction from front to behind.
Herbal Healing:
1. General Healing herbs: provide general healing support for the urinary system. Herbs: agrimony, couch grass, elder flowers, plantain, yarrow, juniper (not with inflammation), horsetail, Lady's mantle, saw palmetto.
2. Adaptogenic herbs- provide overall nutritional and adaptogenic support. Herbs: nettles, red clover, super blue-green algae, Astragalus, the ginsengs, acidophilus, burdock.
3. Demulcents- will help soothe and coat irritated, inflamed tissue. Herbs: marshmallow, comfrey, plantain, violet, mullein, corn silk.
4. Antispasmodics- assists in helping the body reduce muscular spasms along the urinary tract. Herbs: marshmallow, hops, red raspberry, skullcap, chamomile.
5. Alkalizing herbs-may help alkalize the urine. Herbs as sarsaparilla, peppermint, marshmallow, comfrey root, plantain, ginger etc are good addition in the UTI treatment plan.
6. Antiseptics - help overcome and destroy pathogenic bacteria and strengthen the immune responses. Herbs: Echinacea, goldenseal, myrrh, burdock, garlic, bilberry, uva ursi, feverfew, honeysuckle, barberry, buchu.
7. Diuretics- help stimulate the kidney and bladder and increase the flow of urine. Herbs: dandelion, corn silk, sassafras, juniper berry, fennel, cleavers, uva ursi, horsetail, goldenrod, meadowsweet, pipsissewa, plantain, shepherd's purse
8. Anti-inflammatory- are indicated to lessen the inflammation. Herbs: ginger, Echinacea, yellow dock, licorice, gotu kola, comfrey, chamomile, and marshmallow.
1. General Healing herbs: provide general healing support for the urinary system. Herbs: agrimony, couch grass, elder flowers, plantain, yarrow, juniper (not with inflammation), horsetail, Lady's mantle, saw palmetto.
2. Adaptogenic herbs- provide overall nutritional and adaptogenic support. Herbs: nettles, red clover, super blue-green algae, Astragalus, the ginsengs, acidophilus, burdock.
3. Demulcents- will help soothe and coat irritated, inflamed tissue. Herbs: marshmallow, comfrey, plantain, violet, mullein, corn silk.
4. Antispasmodics- assists in helping the body reduce muscular spasms along the urinary tract. Herbs: marshmallow, hops, red raspberry, skullcap, chamomile.
5. Alkalizing herbs-may help alkalize the urine. Herbs as sarsaparilla, peppermint, marshmallow, comfrey root, plantain, ginger etc are good addition in the UTI treatment plan.
6. Antiseptics - help overcome and destroy pathogenic bacteria and strengthen the immune responses. Herbs: Echinacea, goldenseal, myrrh, burdock, garlic, bilberry, uva ursi, feverfew, honeysuckle, barberry, buchu.
7. Diuretics- help stimulate the kidney and bladder and increase the flow of urine. Herbs: dandelion, corn silk, sassafras, juniper berry, fennel, cleavers, uva ursi, horsetail, goldenrod, meadowsweet, pipsissewa, plantain, shepherd's purse
8. Anti-inflammatory- are indicated to lessen the inflammation. Herbs: ginger, Echinacea, yellow dock, licorice, gotu kola, comfrey, chamomile, and marshmallow.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The material in this newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Thus our intentions are not to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you use the information in this newsletter without the approval of your health professional, the authors of this letter do not assume any responsibility. Copyright @ 2009, Natural Health-Wellness LLC. All rights reserved.
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