Things that go burn in the night – Cystitis
Anyone who has ever endured the agony of a bladder infection will be able to relate to the burning, cutting, misery entailed in simply going for a wee. While cystitis is not exclusively a female phenomenon, it effects significantly more women than men, due to our anatomical differences. One in two women will experience the unique torture of a bladder infection, at some time in their lives. We are especially at risk during periods of frequent sexual activity, when hostile bacteria can readily find their way into the urethra, and travel the short distance to the bladder. While a range of different bacteria can cause cystitis, 90% of infections are caused by the E.coli bacteria which are a normal part of the bacterial culture living in our intestines. Visit your doctor with a bladder infection and you are almost guaranteed to walk away with a script for antibiotics. While the treatment will usually be effective in the short term, antibiotics do little to prevent the next bladder infection, and by disturbing the balance of bacteria in the gut, may actually predispose you to further infections in the future. One third of women experience a second bladder infection within a year of treatment.
Self Help
If chronic bladder infections are making your life a misery, there is plenty you can do to help yourself. Pass water before and immediately after sex, and wash thoroughly after intercourse to prevent bacteria finding their way to your vulnerable bladder. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and pass water frequently. Never hold on to a full bladder for longer than necessary. Avoid scented and coloured toilet paper, and personal hygiene products. Take extra care to maintain hygiene when you have a bowel movement. Always wipe, from the front to the back, to avoid transferring E coli bacteria into the urethra.
Red miracle berries
The slightly tart tasting cranberry has been used by indigenous people to treat urinary tract infections, for centuries. Although our ancestors knew that eating and drinking cranberries prevented and treated urinary tract infections, modern science has uncovered the secrets to these effects. These tiny red berries help to acidify the urine, thus making it less hospitable to bacteria. They also contain a number of chemicals which make it more difficult for bacteria (usually the E.Coli bacteria which lives in the human gut) to attach itself to the bladder lining, therefore promoting the flushing of the bacteria, when you pass water. Two main components of cranberry prevent this bacterial adhesion. The first is the fruit sugar fructose, and the second is the powerful antioxidant proanthocyanidin.
With chronic bladder infections it is important to eliminate as much sugar as possible from your diet, so if you are drinking cranberry juice regularly, make sure it is the face puckering unsweetened variety. Alternatively use fresh cranberries or cranberry extract capsules instead. Six capsules equate to 2oz of fresh cranberry juice. Cranberry juice or capsules are best taken with meals, twice daily, or three to four times daily during an active bladder infection.
Recent research has discovered that it’s not only cranberries that are good for bladder health. Blueberries are one of the most beneficial foods to add to your diet, and it appears that they are great for your bladder health too. Like, cranberries, blueberries contain naturally occurring antioxidant chemicals which stop bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls.
D-mannose
Cranberries and blueberries contain a natural sugar called D-mannose, which is similar in structure but metabolised differently, from glucose. As the body metabolises only a small amount of D-mannose and excretes the rest in the urine, it is safe for diabetics to use as a supplement. D-mannose has been shown to be ten times more effective than cranberries at dislodging E coli from the bladder walls. Studies show that supplementing with D-mannose regularly can reduce the incidence of bladder infections dramatically. Unlike antibiotics, D-mannose does not kill any bacteria, good or bad, but simply helps to displace them.
Diet matters
Does diet play a part in frequent bladder infections? Yes, according to a study in the American Journal of Nutrition. The diets of women who suffered frequent bladder infections were compared with the diets of a control group of women who never had bladder problems. The results showed that eating more fresh fruit and drinking more berry juice was linked to a lower incidence of urinary tract infections. Interestingly, the consumption of fermented milk products containing probiotics, such as acidophilus yoghurt, was also linked with a lower incidence of recurring urinary tract infections. This is because the friendly bacteria in cultured milk products colonises the gut, helping to keep the problematic E.coli bacteria in check. As well as eating cultured dairy products regularly, always use a probiotic supplement for at least a month after a course of antibiotics, to restore a healthy bacteria balance in your gut.