Natural Support for Bladder Infections

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s) are two very different conditions experienced by women.  Two questions that women often ask are ‘what is the difference?’ and ‘are there effective natural solutions to help?’

So let’s firstly explore the difference between Interstitial cystitis (IC) and non complex Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s).

Interstitial Cystitis is a complex condition of the bladder, caused by the protective bladder lining breaking down.  This may be due to infection, inflammation, hormones or autoimmune conditions.  With IC symptoms often worse during ovulation and under stress, a ‘neurohormonal' and immune connection is likely for many women [1-6].  

Urinary tract Infections however, are infections of the urinary tract.  Bacteria that live in the digestive tract, in the vagina, or around the urethra are the most common cause of UTIs.  Research also supports the influence of hormones such as estrogen associated with reproductive disorders (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disorder, or Endometriosis for example)  enhancing the growth of many bacteria associated with recurrent UTI’s [5].

Although symptoms like bladder pain and urinary symptoms, such as frequent voiding (feeling like you want to go to the toilet a lot) and urgency are common to both conditions, IC is vastly different with patients describing pain as intolerable. 

So what natural options are available?

Both IC and UTI’s may improve with medical treatment but unfortunately infection associated with both of these may be resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment which means symptoms may recur with time. 

Improving bladder and the health of the urinary tract is achievable in two easy steps.

Step 1 Identify the underlying cause 
Step 2 Implement a targeted treatment strategy to address the cause 

You can also start today by making small changes such as giving up coffee and alcohol and consuming a more alkaline diet.  Infact, adapting your diet and lifestyle according to your hormonal profile, can make the world of difference. 

Finally, the choice of traditional herbal medicine for IC and UTI’s depends upon the underlying contributing factors to the condition, such as hormones, auto-immunity,  central nervous system excitability, bacterial infection, inflammation or digestive weakness . So if you have tried over the counter remedies such as cranberry and still experience symptoms, a personalized herbal tonic by a qualified medical herbalist is best. 

These conditions are complex and require an individualized treatment approach.  It is recommended that you seek the expertise of a qualified health practitioner and if symptoms persist seek medical advice.

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience specializing in the natural treatment of women's health and hormonal imbalances. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award. 
To find out more, visit www.massattack.com.au

References

1.            Grover, S., et al., Role of inflammation in bladder function and interstitial cystitis. Therapeutic Advances in Urology, 2011. 3(1): p. 19-33.

2.            Montag, S. and R. Moldwin, Minimally Invasive Therapy for Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, in Smith's Textbook of Endourology2012, Wiley-Blackwell. p. 1640-1649.

3.            Hsieh, C.-H., et al., Treatment of interstitial cystitis with hydrodistention and bladder training. International Urogynecology Journal, 2008. 19(10): p. 1379-1384.

4.            Fall, M., P. Hanno, and J. Nordling, Bladder Pain Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis, Painful Bladder Syndrome, and Hypersensitive Bladder Syndrome: New Nomenclature/New Guidelines. Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports, 2011. 6(3): p. 116-127.

5.            Sonnex, C., Influence of ovarian hormones on urogenital infection. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 1998. 74(1): p. 11-19.

6.            Theoharides, T.C., et al., Interstitial Cystitis: A Neuroimmunoendocrine Disordera. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1998. 840(1): p. 619-634.

7.            Mills, S.B., K., Principles and practice of Phytotherapy2000: Churchill Livingstone.

8.            Naish, F.R., J., The Natural Way To Better Babies: preconception health care for prospective parents. Vol. 5. 1996: Random House.

9.            Mills, S.B., K., The Essential Guide To Herbal Safety2005: Elsevier, Churchill Livingstone.

10.          Sarris, J.W., J., Clinical Naturopathy2010: Elsevier.

11.          Pizzorno, J.S., P., Naturopathic Medicine: Fundamentals of Complementary and Integrative medicine.2006, St. Louis: saunders Elsevier.

New Cause Of Endometriosis Found

IMPORTANT: New Information For Endometriosis Sufferers

Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis?  If so, recent research reveals new and exciting ways to not only improve debilitating symptoms, but most importantly reverse the cause.

Discovering a New Cause & Finding Solutions

Until now, endometriosis was thought to be caused by a combination of hormones, auto-immune conditions, environmental pollutants and genes [1-3].  However, exciting new research has found that these are triggers for tissue growth rather than initial endometrial tissue development.

Researchers have found bacterial, viral and possibly parasitic infections may be the initial cause of endometrial tissue development [4-8] with some resistant bacteria remaining active in the female reproductive system indefinitely. 

The Good News Is, This New Theory Opens The Door To Solutions

Rethinking conventional treatment models of endometriosis (both natural and orthodox) is the first step.  With the focus of these models being on supporting healthy hormonal balance and other supporting triggers such as inflammation and auto-immune influences [2, 3] the underlying cause such as infection, is often over looked.

An individualized approach to endometriosis treatment, integrating both traditional methods such as hormonal balance and diet and lifestyle changes, with targeted natural immune support to get to the cause, means effective, long term management of endometriosis, is closer than ever before.

Stop Endometriosis in its Tracks.  Treat the Underlying Infection  

With many infections proving resistance to traditional treatments, perhaps the answer can be found in nature.  Research indicates targeted medicinal herbal support such as Andrographis paniculata, Astragalus membranaceus, Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea angustifolia, provide but just a few traditionally tried and tested options [9-12].

Narelle Stegehuis, is a practicing naturopath with over 30,000 hrs of in-clinic experience specializing in the natural treatment of women's hormonal imbalances. She is both an accomplished writer, editor and recipient of the Australian Naturopathic Excellence Award. 
To find out more, visit www.massattack.com.au

References

1.            Harris, H.A., et al., A selective estrogen receptor-β agonist causes lesion regression in an experimentally induced model of endometriosis. Human Reproduction, 2005. 20(4): p. 936-941.

2.            Trickey, R., Women, Hormones and The Menstrual Cycle.  Herbal & Medical Solutions From Adolescence to Menopause.1998: Allen & Unwin.

3.            Naish, F.R., J., The Natural Way To Better Babies: preconception health care for prospective parents. Vol. 5. 1996: Random House.

4.            Aggarwal, B.B. and K.B. Harikumar, Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 2009. 41(1): p. 40-59.

5.            Khan, K.N., et al., Toll-Like Receptors in Innate Immunity: Role of Bacterial Endotoxin and Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Endometrium and Endometriosis. Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation, 2009. 68(1): p. 40-52.

6.            Khan, K.N., et al., Differential macrophage infiltration in early and advanced endometriosis and adjacent peritoneum. Fertility and sterility, 2004. 81(3): p. 652-661.

7.            Khan, K.N., et al., REVIEW ARTICLE: Immunopathogenesis of Pelvic Endometriosis: Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor, Macrophages and Ovarian Steroids. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2008. 60(5): p. 383-404.

8.            Khan, K.N., et al., Association of interleukin-6 and estradiol with hepatocyte growth factor in peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica, 2002. 81(8): p. 764-771.

9.            Mills, S.B., K., The Essential Guide To Herbal Safety2005: Elsevier, Churchill Livingstone.

10.          Wagner, H., Herbal Immunostimulants. Z Phytother, 1996. 17(2): p. 79-95.

11.          Butterweck, V.S., St John's wort: role of active compounds for it's mechanism of action and efficacy. Wien Med Wochenschr, 2007. 157: p. 356-361.

12.          Zheng, Y., X. Liu, and S.-W. Guo, Therapeutic potential of andrographolide for treating endometriosis. Human Reproduction, 2012. 27(5): p. 1300-1313.