Self-Help Solutions for Urinary and Bladder Problems
Prostate Englargement (BPH)
Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)
Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)
A common problem that men have is waking up at night, sometimes three or more times per night, to urinate. Another symptom that men complain about is that their urinary stream is slow or sluggish, not forceful. These are signs of prostate enlargement, or prostate hypertrophy. The most studied herbal remedy for prostate enlargement is Saw Palmetto; take 160 mg two times per day. Research has shown that Saw Palmetto dramatically improves symptoms in men who have mild to moderate enlargement of the prostate gland. This means that they get up less often at night to urinate and their urinary stream will be stronger. Saw Palmetto is tolerated by most people.
Sometimes a short course of antibiotics is necessary and will usually last between 2 and 4 weeks. If symptoms are chronic it is best to get evaluated for prostate cancer with a PSA blood test and rectal exam. If medication is necessary, Flomax is commonly prescribed. Although Flomax does not work for everyone, when it does, relief will usually be experienced within the first week. If the problem is chronic, unrelenting or interfering with one’s quality of life, prostate surgery is generally a safe and effective option.
Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)
Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)
Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)
Cystitis is an infection or inflammation of the bladder. The bladder can hold up to 500 mL of urine before a signal is triggered in the female urethra, which is much shorter than the urethra in the male, and why cystitis is much more common in women. Bacteria can reach the bladder via the urethra from the outside environment, most often E. coli, an organism that normally resides in the bowel. The symptoms of cystitis are urinary frequency and urgency, and pain during urination. The amount of urine passed is usually small and may be foul-smelling, cloudy, or bloody. With severe infections, fever and chills may also be present. A diagnosis is confirmed with a positive urinalysis. The offending bacterium will also be determined if antibiotics are necessary. Bladder infections in men are much less common and are usually due to an anatomical abnormality.
Interstitial Cystitis
No detectable bacteria will be found in about 40% of women with symptoms of a bladder infection. This can be a sign of interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder irritation without bacterial infection. Food sensitivities can cause urinary frequency and urgency and may be a cause for interstitial cystitis. If the urinalysis and cultures are negative, a food elimination trial and re-challenge is worth doing. It is also important with chronic urinary tract infections or symptoms to be evaluated by a physician to test for possible hypothyroidism, autoimmune disease or other problem. There are times when a short course of antibiotics are necessary and can work well. Make sure cultures are positive and if they are negative, be evaluated for interstitial cystitis. Sugar should be strictly avoided. Stay well-hydrated and drink plenty of pure water throughout the day and possibly try a d-mannose supplement. Cranberry and blueberry juice contain an inhibitory factor that prevents adherence of bacteria to the bladder wall. Make sure juice is not sweetened with sugar; drink 4 ounces two times per day. Cranberry extract (400-800 mg per day) or capsules can be purchased and are more cost-effective. Alkalinizing the urine is helpful - one study showed 80% relief in symptoms of cystitis after only 48 hours of treatment with sodium citrate; the best forms are calcium, potassium, or magnesium citrate, in doses of 250 mg three times a day of elemental calcium, potassium, or magnesium. Natural Vitamin C is also effective for bladder infections. Vitamin C has antimicrobial properties when taken in large amounts of 1 to 2 grams four times a day and is quickly hyperconcentrated in the urine; calcium, magnesium, and potassium ascorbate all work well together to alkalinize the urine.
