Recurrent UTIs
Approximately 20% of women aged 20-56 experience bacterial urinary tract infections each year, of these cases, 1 in 4 women experience recurrent chronic urinary tract infections. Conventional treatment of UTIs prescribes pharmaceutical antibiotics to treat bacterial infection. However, this only addresses part of the problem.
Our body has safeguards in place to protect the urinary tract from infection. One of these is the mucous membrane that lines the urinary tract. Like all epithelial tissue that interacts with the outside world, the mucous membrane of the urinary tract protects the tissues from bacterial infection. The urinary tract also has a microbiome which protects the urinary tract and bladder from colonization by harmful bacteria. When a microbial imbalance or mucus membrane damage occurs, the urinary tract is vulnerable to infection. Additionally, urinary tract infections cause damage to the mucous membranes and obviously, create microbial imbalance. This is the positive feedback loop that can lead to recurrent UTIs and can allow the UTI to to travel up to the bladder and cause a bladder infection.
When UTIs are treated with antibiotics, a number of issues can arise. The most alarming of which is antibiotic resistance. A number of urinary tract pathogens have become resistant to antibiotics. Additionally, pharmaceutical antibiotics are broad spectrum and kill good and bad bacteria indiscriminately. This contributes to the recurrence of UTIs because the good bacteria have been killed off as well, leaving the urinary tract vulnerable to reinfection by pathogenic bacteria. Additionally, antibiotics can cause inflammation and damage to the tissues of the urinary tract, which leaves the tissues vulnerable to reinfection. Sometimes, antibiotics are needed, but they should be used cautiously and always in combination with supporting the underlying tissues and reinforcing the good bacteria of the urinary tract.
When it comes to urinary tract infections, a multidimensional approach is needed. This is where the herbs come in! As an alternative to pharmaceutical antibiotics which annihilate the microbiome indiscriminately, we have our herbal antibiotics that are anti-microbial toward bad bacteria but do not harm the microbiome. The primary antimicrobial herb for UTIs is Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi. Other immune stimulant herbs like Echinacea and Spilanthes can be incorporated to boost your body’s own defenses. Your body knows which bacteria need to be killed and which need to be kept. Vulnerary herbs that support the healing of inflamed and damaged tissue are important. Some good options are goldenrod, yarrow, calendula, horsetail and plantain. Demulcent herbs like marshmallow and cornsilk soothe and support the mucus membrane and are important to repair tissues and prevent reinfection.
It is important to drink lots of fluids when experiencing a UTI, as urination helps flush out the pathogen. Consume as much liquid as possible in the form of juicy fruits (especially watermelon), water, herbal tea, soups and broths. Foods like cranberries, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, watermelon and pumpkin are supportive because they help prevent the bacteria from latching onto the urinary tract. Additionally, if you are experiencing pain and burning, drinking a half a teaspoon of baking soda in water will help alkalize the urine and reduce pain.
As always, this is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor for medical advice.