Cystitis is an infection or inflammation of the bladder. Urethritis is an infection or inflammation of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder. The infection is often caused by E. Coli bacteria transferred from the bowel. These infections can be a one-off acute or it can become a chronic intermittent problem. The homeopathic approach to recurrent attacks is constitutional although the remedies below can give relief in isolated flare-ups.
The conventional treatment of antibiotics can create havoc with the gut and also lead to candida and thrush. While there is definitely a place for antibiotics when the infection reaches the kidneys it is definitely worth trying homeopathy if the infection is not too severe. If there is no relief within 24-48 hours or symptoms worsen or there is blood in the urine then it is advisable to seek medical attention.
Symptoms include a frequent desire to urinate, an uncomfortable stinging or burning feeling on urination, passing very little urine but feeling as though there is still some left and sometimes pain in the lower abdomen. If the infection is severe there may be blood in the urine.
Cystitis is far more common in females as bacteria entering the bladder from the bowel can trigger it off and the urethra is so much shorter than in males. People who drink very little water may be susceptible to cystitis and it can occur with thrush after dose of antibiotics.
Emotional and mental causes
Often physical symptoms are a way that our subconscious mind uses to get our attention and communicate that there is a mental or emotional problem we need to deal with. When we feel ‘pissed off’ with someone or something we can become more susceptible to bladder irritation.
In her book ‘Metaphysical Anatomy’ Evette Rose suggests the following emotional causes: “You feel guilty whenever you express your emotional needs. You feel you don’t deserve to have your needs met. Your expression for love is often met with punishment and rejection…You feel people invaded your turf and you are powerless to stand your ground. This has caused you to feel pissed off and angry as you feel you cannot reclaim your personal power. You are fighting against people with your resentment and bitterness, expressing your boundaries through aggression.”
Louise Hay say that bladder problems are caused by anxiety, holding on to old ideas, fear of letting go and being pissed off. The new thought pattern she suggests is ‘I comfortably and easily release the old and welcome the new into my life. I am safe’.
Self Help
- Encourage the patient to drink as much water as possible to flush out the infection. A glass every half hour is ideal.
- Eat alkaline foods such as brown rice and vegetables.
- Cranberry juice (try and get organic with very little sugar added) can help prevent bacteria clinging to the walls of the bladder
- Try drinking barley water. Simmer a handful or organic barley with a pint of water and whole lemon cut into pieces for an hour. Strain and drink a glass every half hour.
- Try nettle juice or tea which acts as a diuretic.
- Couch grass roots boiled can be an excellent bladder cleanse ( a handful of roots in 2 pints of water boiled until reduced to 1 pint ).
- Try Uva ursi as a herbal tincture in water
- Supplement
- Encourage the patient to go to the toilet whenever they feel the urge, even if they are frightened of going because it may hurt. This will only prolong the infection. If peeing is very try peeing in the bath while sitting in warm water.
- Rest as much as possible in bed.
- Keep warm and use a hot water bottle.
- Avoid bubble bath or talcum powders which may worsen irritation.
- Make sure you wipe from front to back after urination to avoid spreading bacteria from the anus.
When to seek advice
- If there is blood in the urine (although remember that eating beetroot can turn urine pink)
- If there are pains in the kidneys which are in the back above the waist. If they are tender to touch or pressure then the infection has travelled up to the kidneys.
- If you child has a fever or chills with very painful urination and pain in the back
Homeopathic Remedies
Aconite
Accompanied by fear, high fever, hot dry skin, great thirst and restlessness. Comes on suddenly.
Apis
Burning and stinging pains especially severe when the last drop is passed; patient very irritable especially when disturbed but otherwise tends to doze. Urethra feels swollen and may be red and puffy as if stung by a bee.
Arsenicum
Burning pains in lower abdomen, feeling restless, chilly and anxious.
Belladonna
Tender to lower abdomen with accompanying fever. Urine is dark burning hot.
Berberis
Cystitis with kidney pains that radiate down into the bladder and the legs or through to the liver and the stomach; burning in the urethra when not passing urine; aching into thighs while urinating. Always feels some urine is left in the bladder.
Cannabis Sativa
Painful urging to pass very little urine which eventually dribbles out drop by drop. Burning all up the urethra to the bladder. Urine may be reddish or have sediment or pus. Patient may want to walk with the legs apart. Pus is a sign that you may need to contact your homeopath for a deeper remedy.
Camphora
Pain worse at start of urination, no urine passed despite intense and urgent straining, muscles at base of bladder in spasm. Cold makes symptoms worse.
Catharis.
Burning pains both before and after urination in the urethra and the bladder or lower abdomen. There may be persistent violent urging to urinate with little passed.
Causticum
Passes urine when coughing or sneezing. Chilly and worse from cold. Obeying urge produces nothing but is followed 15 minutes later by involuntary passage of urine. Itching around the urethral opening perhaps with vaginal discharge. Craves bacon and salt. Averse to sweets.
Clematis
Stream of urine slow and intermittent.
Dulcamara
After exposure to dampness or damp, cold weather.
Equisetum
Bladder always feels full, even after urination. Pain at the end of urination. Worse sitting or lying down.
Merc-sol
Burning in the bladder or urethra at the start of releasing urine and for a while after. Urine might be dark, scanty, bloody or cloudy and might smell like ammonia. The patient will be alternately hot and chilly, very thirsty for cold water and have offensive breath.
Pulsatilla.
Frequently indicated for mild cystitis where there is some urging and discomfort and the child is miserable and clingy and needs a lot of attention. They may lack thirst and make a fuss about having to drink.
Sarsparilla
Cystitis in small girls who suddenly scream as they pass urine; urine dribbles out and scalds; adults feel like screaming but grit their teeth. Pains come on as urination ceases. Urine may look thick or milk or sandy or even have some blood in it. Pains in the urethra feel as if they are penetrating up to the abdomen. So anxious about the pains that she will avoid drinking. Bladder feels full and very tender. Indicated when the patient is stressed by something they have not been able to express satisfactorily.
Sepia
Marked sensation of bearing down with heaviness in the bladder and lower abdomen which is worse before urinating; with cutting and burning sensations on passing small amounts of urine slowly. Incontinence of urine on coughing and sneezing. Patient is likely to be exhausted and irritable and indifferent to anything that would normally interest her.
Staphysagria
Indicated if the pain is worse when not urinating and is better during urination. This remedy is also indicated if your child is angry or fed up over a humiliating or unfair incident that occurred before developing the cystitis. Patent is likely to be very sensitive emotionally. Cystitis at the start of a new physical relationship or after catheterisation.
Tarentula
High fever, excruciating pain in the bladder area, bladder swollen and hard, feeling extremely restless, great sense of hurry.
Terebinth
Frequency and burning sensation as urine is passed with pain in small of back, blood in urine, drowsiness, tingling in ears, tongue red and shiny, rest makes symptoms worse but walking in open air alleviates them.
Nux Vomica
Indicated if there is frequent and painful urging but little is passed. The child may be irritated and better for warmth.
Lycopodium
Indicated if there are pains going up into the abdomen and even into the kidneys although professional advice should also be sought. There may not be much pain on urination but the urine will be concentrated and smelly. The pain may be worse on the right side.