Bladder Infections
Bladder infections can cause irritating problems, such as sudden urge to urinate, leakage, inability to stop the flow of urine, itching, or burning. Untreated, there is a possibility of infection progressing up the tubules connecting to the kidneys, which is not desirable. Women are more prone to bladder infections due to the shorter urether. As much as doctors may say bladder infections are normal for women, they are not healthy, and should not be the norm in anyone. If they re-occur, it is because they are not getting treated properly in the first case and are re-infecting, or the cause has not been eliminated. In other words, there is no reason women, men or children should have these, and if you do, you need to get to the bottom of it and get rid of it!
Some causes in women can be:
- wiping in the wrong direction and contamination with feces
- yeast/candida infections
- too much sugar in the diet, which lowers the immune system
- improper diet, which creates pH imbalance
- anti-biotic overuse, which creates resistant bacteria and flora imbalance
- food sensitivities
- chemicals from personal care products: douches, deodorants, soaps, lubricants, powders, bathing products
Treatment consists of determining the cause(s), then treating naturally so the pathogen is eliminated, then creating a healthy environment where they don’t flourish. Herbs bring the body into balance without upsetting the natural flora and fauna and protective shield of mucous membranes. They also do not cause side effects as do many antibiotics.
One of the best formulas is K Combination designed for overall health of the urinary system, containing parsley root, juniper berries, uva ursi, and dandelion root. It is a herbal source of iron, manganese, potassium, sodium, vitamin A and riboflavin.
We suggest adding Cranberry Buchu, which is a concentrated capsule of 435 mg. pure cranberry with Buchu. The herb buchu prevents infection-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, from adhering to the lining of the urinary tract. It has been traditionally used to help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.
If the infection is already established, stronger herbal antibiotics, such as Golden Seal Echinacea combo and or Silver Shield used as a douche and internally may be required.
Along with the herbs, clean up the diet, eliminate ALL sugar, drink plenty of pure water, (more than your recommended ½ oz. per pound of body weight), add fresh lemon, lime and or Chlorophyll to help alkalinize the blood, and get adequate rest. Many suggestions for healthful lifestyle including diet, stress, exercise and recipes are in my book:
Lorene Benoit’s book: The Paw Paw Program – A “Christopher Columbus” Approach to Cancer – The World IS Round and Cancer CAN Be Treated Naturally
If the above do not clear it up, seek the advice of a qualified natural health practitioner.
If one has taken chemical antibiotics in the past 6 months, a quality probiotic/ prebiotic combination is recommended to re-establish microbiome regrowth. Certain probiotics capsules may also be used as a vaginal suppository to relieve some symptoms and re-lubricate.
For people who have had several bladder infections, we suggest that once the infection is cleared, to continue on a maintenance dose of 2-3 Cranberry Buchu per day for at least 3 months, then 1-2 as needed to remain clear of infections. This is inexpensive insurance to avoid the hassles and strain to the immune system of having repeated infections.