UTIs, Interstitial (non-bacterial) Cystitis, Bladder Pain Syndrome & Bladder Oversensitivity
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections in local primary care. Acute UTI affects 40% to 50% of women. Between 20% and 30% of women who have had a UTI will experience a recurrence, and around 25% will develop ongoing recurrent episodes with implications for individual well-being and healthcare costs.
Antibiotics can prevent recurrent UTIs but there are growing concerns about microbial resistance. Additionally side effects from treatment and lack of long-term benefit. Herbal medicine has a recorded history of treating UTI symptoms and more recent research suggests a potential role in the management of recurrent UTIs. Research shows herbal formulations specifically formulated for recurrent UTIs were more effective in reducing infection incidence than the use of herbal formulations targeted for acute UTI.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder and is a UTI when an infection is involved or non-bacterial/interstitial cystitis if there is no infection. Women are more affected by UTIs and cystitis due to the shorter urethra (urine outflow tube) that allows bacteria to more easily move up the urethra from the outside of the body and into the bladder.
UTI symptoms:
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Passing small amounts of urine
- Burning with urination
- Urine discoloration
- Pelvic pain
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition that can present as very similar to a UTI but without an actual infection. The associated bladder pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain and is part of the disease group known as painful bladder syndrome (PBS).
Interstitial (non-bacterial) cystitis (IC) symptoms:
- Urinary frequency
- Urinary urgency
- Bladder pressure
- Bladder pain
- Pelvic pain (sometimes)
The primary cause of UTI in up to 90% cases is the micro-organism Escherichia coli (E. coli) with other bacteria Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) involved in 10% or more cases. Residual urine volume contributes as incomplete bladder emptying allows the bacteria to remain in the bladder and multiply instead of being flushed out with each urination. Medically, antibiotics are generally effective although antibiotic resistance is increasingly an issue in individuals with recurring UTIs. Recurring UTIs are defined as two or more UTIs in a six-month period or four or more within a year.
Younger women tend to be affected by UTI (with sexual practices, poor hygiene, some birth control - diaphragm) as are menopausal (with declining estrogen) and older women (with urinary incontinence).
The exact cause of interstitial cystitis (IC) is not known but many contributing factors are understood to be involved. A key theory is that a compromise of the protective lining (epithelium) of the bladder allows the lining to be more sensitive and easily irritated. Lowered immune defense, genetics or allergy are also thought to be involved. Repeated irritation of the lining as a result of UTIs is a known predisposing factor for IC.
Recurrent UTI, Interstitial Cystitis and Bladder Oversensitivity
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are involved in the development of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS). Sufferers can often have UTI at the onset of IC/PBS and/or have a significant history of childhood recurrent UTIs. The UTIs resolve but the individual is left with symptoms similar to UTI (urinary urgency, frequency, pelvic discomfort etc.) but with no detectable infection.
The significant and often unaddressed problem with UTIs is that they tend to be chronic in nature. One episode of a UTI results in a weakened urinary tract and an increased likelihood of a second UTI and then a third, etc. Commonly once a UTI clears, another UTI recurs within a short period.
Research shows that women with recurrent UTI suffer from bladder oversensitivity.
Even in the absence of an infection, they have reduced bladder holding capacity and mean voiding volume and an increase in urinary frequency. This bladder oversensitivity is often self-diagnosed or misdiagnosed as an infection and treated with unnecessary antibiotics which can also contribute to antibiotic resistance. There is no medical treatment for bladder oversensitivity.
Simply using an antibacterial or bacterial-repelling approach with UTIs is short-sighted.
UTIs (and IC, PBS and bladder oversensitivity) need comprehensive management that addresses any microbial infection, supports and soothes the epithelial membranes of the urinary tract; improves bladder detrusor muscle compliance for effective flushing and complete bladder emptying (to resolve the residual urine that is a breeding ground for bacteria); addresses bladder accidents and urinary incontinence (that can allow bacteria to thrive in the external urinary area and encourage the development of UTIs) and supports the collagen and connective tissue underpinning the pelvic floor muscles for strong urinary sphincter control.
UT Cleanse
For decades, only the bacterial aspect of UTI has been considered. UTI and chronic UTI/IC is more than simply a bacterial infection to be treated; it needs a holistic approach to support overall urinary health, protection and prevention. UT Cleanse is a comprehensive herbal formula with clinically researched PAC levels for relief of medically diagnosed cystitis† (a UTI symptom). It has a fourfold action to flush, cleanse, soothe and calm, and is formulated to help relieve inflammation, burning, irritation and frequency.
†For relief of medically diagnosed cystitis. If pain or irritation persists for more than 48 hours consult your doctor. The presence of blood in the urine warrants immediate medical attention. Vitamins and/or mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.