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The Natural Approach to Bladder Infections
The natural approach to bladder infections is the best, because antibiotics do no help and may aggravate this type of cystitis. They can attack the bladder lining where there is no infection to attack. Bacteria, typically E. coli, which manage to migrate up the urethra into the bladder, are a common cause of bladder infections.
Bladder infections should be treated immediately because of the pain and because the bladder can shrink to a size where it will only hold 1 to 2 ounces. It can also lead to kidney infections. A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and reproduce. Women are especially susceptible and one in five women will have at least one urinary tract infection during her life. The condition is less common in men, but can become serious when infection does occur.
Most urinary tract infection occur in the urethra (urethritis), but they can spread to the bladder, causing cystitis, another name for bladder infection. In some cases the infection can even reach the kidneys, a serious condition called pyelonephritis, or kidney infection can occur.
Some causes of bladder infection are environmental and allergies, lowered immunity, dietary "triggers" causing acidity in the system, pelvic congestion from chronic constipation, lowered libido, or heavy painful menstrual periods, pregnancy or the use of diaphragms and dehydration. Some contributing factors are self-contamination i.e., wiping forward after a bowel movement and thus contaminating skin, incomplete wiping after a bowel movement. Intercourse and other mechanical friction can allow bacteria, already present on the adjacent skin, to spread into the urethra and bladder, which may cause irritation and/or inflammation of the urethra.
Symptoms of bladder infection are scarred, tough and atrophied bladder, so that normal urination is impossible, pain goes away during urination and immediately returns. Also cloudy urine with foul odor, systemic fever and aching. This can cause the breakdown of bladder tissue, even when infection is not present.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Bladder Infection, Bacterial Cystitis and Incontinence: A frequent, urgent, burning and painful urination. As soon as you feel the symptoms take (?) drops of grapefruit seed extract and 1 tsp Baking soda in 1 cup water. Drink 3 times daily.
