Urethritis

Description

Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra, the tube which carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

Interstitial cystitis also involves a chronic bladder inflammation.

Causes

Urethritis and interstitial cystitis do seem more prevalent in patients with a history of sexually transmitted diseases e.g.

        Bruising during sexual intercourse
        Gonorrhea
        Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacteria-like microorganism which is spread through sexual contact (nonspecific urethritis)

Signs & Symptoms

Urethritis

Painful, burning urination
Watery discharge from the vagina or penis
Pain in the area around the urethra

Nutritional Supplements

Structure & Function: Women's Health

---------------------------------
General Supplements
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	Adult	Child/Adolescent
Kelp*
Niacin	50 - 100 mg	10 - 30 mg
Vitamin B-5	100 - 200 mg	50 - 100 mg
Vitamin C	2,000 - 6,000 mg	500 - 2,000 mg

* Please refer to the respective topic for specific nutrient amounts.

Note: All amounts are in addition to those supplements having a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Due to individual needs, one must always be aware of a possible undetermined effect when taking nutritional supplements. If any disturbances from the use of a particular supplement should occur, stop its use immediately and seek the care of a qualified health care professional.

Dietary Considerations

Infection is caused by the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Nutritional management dictates drinking plenty of fluids and increasing the acidity of the urine. Plenty of fluids should be taken in order to flush the organisms out of the urethra. The intake should be increased to at least one quart per day. This is an important practice, especially before and after sexual intercourse.

The pH of urine should be lowered since bacterial growth is discouraged if the environment is too acidic. Urine can be acidified by taking vitamin C supplements (400 to 600 milligrams per day), drinking generous amounts of acidic juices such as cranberry juice, and adhering to an Acid Ash Diet see dietary considerations for CYSTITIS). Vitamin C, however, should not be given indefinitely. Acidosis will occur, and there is a tendency to develop kidney stones with usage. The Acid Ash Diet is therefore the preferred method for acidification. The Acid Ash Diet avoids the use of any Milk Exchange List items; to prevent calcium deficiency, cheese or calcium supplements should be ingested.

A popular approach is to eat only bland or starchy foods.

Even though dietary restriction lessen the symptoms they do not alter the specific abnormalities ( like dopamine metabolism). However, dietary management offers a cost-effective therapeutic approach.

Homeopathic Remedy

1. Aconitum Napellus tinct. - 30C
2. Cantharis- 30C
3. Apis Mellifica - 30C

Treatment Schedule

Doses cited are to be administered on a 3X daily schedule, unless otherwise indicated. Dose usually continued for 2 weeks. Liquid preparations usually use 8-10 drops per dose. Solid preps are usually 3 pellets per dose. Children use 1/2 dose.

Legend

X = 1 to 10 dilution - weak (triturition)
C = 1 to 100 dilution - weak (potency)
M = 1 to 1 million dilution (very strong)
X or C underlined means it is most useful potency

Asterisk (*) = Primary remedy. Means most necessary remedy. There may be more than one remedy - if so, use all of them.

References

Boericke, D.E., 1988. Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Coulter, C.R., 1986. Portraits of Homeopathic Medicines.

Kent, J.T., 1989. Repertory of the Homeopathic Materia Medica.

Koehler, G., 1989. Handbook of Homeopathy.

Shingale, J.N., 1992. Bedside Prescriber.

Smith, Trevor, 1989. Homeopathic Medicine.

Ullman, Dana, 1991. The One Minute (or so) Healer.

Herbal Approaches

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Herbs
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Cranberry
Marshmallow root
Uva Ursi Leaves (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Note: The misdirected use of an herb can produce severely adverse effects, especially in combination with prescription drugs. This Herbal information is for educational purposes and is not intended as a replacement for medical advice.

Discussion:

Several of these herbs, along with others, may also be considered separately for bladder and urinary tract infections e.g. :

Cranberry concentrate
Garlic
Goldenseal root
Juniper berries
Marshmallow root
Nettle
Parsley
Red raspberry leaves
Uva Ursi

Cranberry concentrate decreases urinary pH and contributes to repel bacteria as well as being a diuretic. (2 - 3 capsules q.i.d.)

Garlic is antiseptic and antifungal. (500 mg t.i.d.)

Goldenseal root is antiseptic and a mild diuretic. (500 mg b.i.d.)

Juniper berries are antiseptic and mildly diuretic (500 - 1,000 mg t.i.d.)

Marshmallow root is a demulcent and supports inflamed tissue. (350 - 500 mg t.i.d.)

Nettle root is a leading urologic remedy in Germany and an approved herb by the German Commisssion E.

Parsley is a diuretic. (1,000 mg t.i.d.)

Red raspberry leaves are astringent. (500 - 700 mg t.i.d.)

Uva Ursi is antiseptic and a mild diuretic. (1,000 mg t.i.d.)

References:

Avorn, J et al., Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. JAMA. 1994 Mar 9; 271(10): 751-4.

Caceres, A. et al. (1987) Diuretic activity of plants used for the treatment of urinary ailments in Guatemala. J. Ethnopharmaco. 19:233-245.

Aromatherapy - Essential Oils

Cajeput Essence,	Niaouli Essence,
Terebinth Essence.

Related Health Conditions

        
        Bladder cancer
        Bruise
        Candida
        Cystitis
        Infection
        Inflammation
        Thrush
        Urinary tract infection
        Venereal diseases

Abstracts

References

Anderson, R. The Effects of Increasing Weekly Doses of Ascorbate on Cellular and Immune Function in Normal Volunteers. American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 33. 1980.

Bland, Jeffrey. Nutraerobics. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1983.

Bland, Jeffrey. Medical Applications of Clinical Nutrition. New Canaan, Conn.: Keats, 1983.

Carlin EM & Barton SE: How common is self-treatment in non gonococcal urethritis? Genitourin Med, 1995 Dec, 71:6, 400-1.

Chasroff, I.J. & J.W. Ellis. 1983. Family Medical Guide. William Morrow and Company Inc., Pub. 594 pp.

Chicago Dietetic Association and the South Suburban Dietetic Association of Cook and Will Counties. 1981. Manual of Clinical Dietetics. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadephia.

D'Avanzo-B et al: Attributable risks for bladder cancer in northern Italy. Ann-Epidemiol. 1995 Nov; 5(6): 427-31.

Gillespie-L : Metabolic appraisal of the effects of dietary modification on hypersensitive bladder symptoms. Br-J-Urol. 1993 Sep; 72(3): 293-7.

Heinerman, John. 1982. Herbal Dynamics. Root of Life, Inc.: Publ.

Hodges, R.E. & R.E. Bleiler. Factors Affecting Human Antibody Responses, III. Pantothenic Acid Deficient Men. Am J Of Clin Nutri, 11. 1962.

Howe, P.S. 1981. Basic Nutrition in Health and Disease, 7th ed. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia.

Hui, Y.H. 1983. Human nutrition and diet therapy. WadsWorth, Inc; Belmont, California. 1039 pp.

Hunt, S.M., J.L. Groff & J.M. Holbrook. 1980. Nutrition: Principles and Clinical Practice John Wileyand Sons, N.Y. 506 pp.

Kunz, J.R.M. 1982. The American Medical Association Family Medical Guide. Random House pub, New York. 832 pp.

Luke, B. 1984. Principles of Nutrition and Diet Therapy. Little, Brown, and Co., Boston. 816 pp.

Sobota, A.E. Inhibition of Bacterial Adherence by Cranberry Juice - Potential for Use in the Treatment of Urinary-Tract Infections. Journal Of Urology, 131. 1984.

Spach, David H., MD, et al: Lack of Circumcision Increases the Risk of Urinary Tract Infection in Young Men. Journal of the American Medical Association, February 5, 1992;267(5):679-681.

Stenberg A et al., The prevalence of urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women. Maturitas, 1995 Dec, 22 Suppl:, S17-S20.

Thomas, C.L. 1985. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. F.A. Davis Co. Pub., Philadelphia. 2170 pp.

Webster-DC & Brennan-T : Use and effectiveness of physical self-care strategies for interstitial cystitis. Nurse-Pract. 1994 Oct; 19(10): 55-61.

Webster-DC & Brennan-T : Self-care strategies used for acute attack of interstitial cystitis. Urol-Nurs. 1995 Sep; 15(3): 86-93.