This month, SNJ health columnist Ruth Holmes discusses cystitis

CYSTITIS is a condition that affects the bladder and urinary tract. This can either be acute or chronic, causing inflammation of the wall and lining of the urinary bladder. The main cause is being a bacterial infection, mechanical abrasion from microcrystals of calcium phosphate in urine.

Symptoms of this condition can include frequent, cloudy or bloody urine, pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen.

If the urine looks cloudy it is because it contains pus and white blood cells, it may also have an unpleasant smell, Acute urinary tract infections are very common, affecting at least 15 per cent of womenfemales at some point in their lives, and is twenty times more common in females than menmales, due to the urethra being shorter.

Other causes of these symptoms could be conditions like vaginitis and sexually transmitted diseases.

These infections are often caused by the E.coli bacteria (Escherichia coli) which is a normal bacteria living in the bowel.

Factors that appear to increase the likelihood of cystitis developing include:are pregnancy; diabetes; chemical factors like soaps and deodorants; barrier contraceptive devices; retention of urine by the uterus not only in pregnancy, fibroids can contribute to this happening as well; overuse of antibiotics and; surprisingly stress, as this can initiate the production of hormones, such as adrenocorticotrophic hormone, glucocorticoids and aldosterone.

Many who have experienced recurrent infection can relate stress to chemical, physical or emotional factors.Cystitis can respond rapidly to appropriate treatment, the key being to treat the cause. Antibiotics therapy may be necessary once any bacteria in the urine has been cultured.

The main problem to prevent is any bacterial infection from spreading becoming resistant and ascending up to the kidneys. Symptoms of inlcudingcould be any backache, fatigue, disorientation and any signs of blood in the urine must be checked by a doctor.

Antimicrobial treatment is the first action to take, having antibiotics prescribed and/or using the herbs that are used specifically for this condition that have an antimicrobial action, Arctostphylos uva-ursi (Bearberry) Hyrastis Canadensis (Golden seal) and Barosma betulina (buchu), (but these cannot be taking in pregnancy).

The next step is to alkalise the urine. Avoid this can be achieved by not drinking any alcohol, or caffeinated drinks and tea, coffee etc, no fruit juices, especially citrus fruits, even though lemon water is sometimes advised, in my experience it only makes matters worse. Drink plenty of water and cranberry juice, as cranberries contain hippurric acid that helps to prevent the bacteria from attaching themselves to the bladder wall, but be aware that this does not suit everybody.

D-mannose powder works in a similar way, it coats the lectins that are produced by the bacteria which preventing the bacteria them from being able to attach to the bladder wall.

Reduce any sugars, as bacteria feed on this, soda water can be drunk (one tsp of soda bicarbonate in a glass of water) but not too often as this can alter the electrolyte balance. Nutritionally Reduce your intake of red meats, increase alkalising foods such as fish and vegetables, especially the green varieties and beetroot, miso soup is very good, avoid vitamin C unless in a buffered variety.

An antioxidant supplement will aid cell renew once again check that the form of vitamin C is buffered to prevent acidity.

Once the underlying cause has been/is being addressed and the urinary system is being alkalised, then any inflammation needs to be reduced.

This can be achieved by drinking barley water and can be made with pearl barley Boil a cupful of pearl barley in a pint of water for 20-30twenty-thirty minutes, then simmer, strain and drink when cool every two hours.This is very effective, also alkalising. Other herbs to drink are Zea mays (Corn silk), Althea especially root (Mallow).There are many soothing herbs that can be drunk as a tea. A good combination would be cleevers, mallow, dandelion leaf and adding into this some drops of Uva ursi, echinacea and dried cranberries.

Always Keep the back warm around the kidney area withby adding another layer of clothing or a hot water bottle.