Inflammation of the bladder

Worldwide, there are approximately 150 million cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) each year. Between 25 and 30% of women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. The infection is primarily caused by E. coli bacteria, which are transmitted through the intestines.

Women have a higher risk due to their shorter urinary tract. The risk is particularly high if the mucous membranes of the vaginal opening are colonized by intestinal coli bacteria.

Many women develop urinary tract infections after menopause because their mucous membrane dries out as a result of reduced estrogen levels.

E. coli bacteria are a natural part of the gut microbiota, but not of the bladder. When E. coli bacteria enter the urinary tract and bladder, they attract the white blood cells of the immune system, leading to symptoms of cystitis (bladder infection).
If the infection is left untreated, in about 5% of cases the bacteria will enter the renal pelvis via the urethra and cause pyelonephritis (kidney infection).

Antibiotics are indeed used in the treatment of bladder infections. i.d.RThey are effective, but have some side effects and there is a risk of complications. v.aThe risk of resistance developing. Furthermore, antibiotics do not treat the underlying cause, such as a weakened immune system.

The great advantage of naturopathic approaches is that, when consistently applied, they are at least as effective as antibiotics. The key difference is that they do not cause negative side effects, while simultaneously strengthening the immune system and thus contributing to a causal rather than merely symptomatic treatment. As a result, reinfection is significantly less likely. In contrast, after antibiotic therapy, there is a risk that the compromised gut flora will weaken the immune system, often leading to fungal infections (intestinal and/or vaginal yeast infections) and, not infrequently, another bladder infection very soon afterward.

Current research on the use of micronutrients as an alternative to antibiotic therapy

D-Mannose D-mannose can help with urinary tract infections and cystitis, and can often replace antibiotics with many side effects. It is a type of sugar related to glucose, but it is hardly metabolized in the body. Instead, D-mannose is excreted in the urine. As it passes through the bladder, D-mannose binds to the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and cystitis. Bound to the D-mannose, the bacteria can no longer adhere to the bladder wall (see Hung, Chia-Suei, et al. "Structural basis of tropism of Escherichia coli to the bladder during urinary tract infection." Molecular microbiology 44.4 (2002): 903-915).

The preventive effect of D-mannose was confirmed in a clinical study in Croatia (see Kranjčec Bojana, Dino Pape, and Silvio Altarac. "D-mannose powder for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a randomized clinical trial." World journal of urology 32.1 (2014): 79-84): 308 women with acute cystitis who also had a history of recurrent urinary tract infections were divided into three groups after standard antibiotic treatment:

For six months, group 1 received 2 grams of D-mannose daily, group 2 received 50 mg of the antibiotic nitrofurantoin daily during the same period, and group 3 did not take any prophylactic measures and therefore served as a control group.A total of 98 women experienced a recurrence of cystitis during the study period, 62 of whom belonged to the control group. In the antibiotic group, 21 women experienced a recurrence, compared to only 15 women in the D-mannose group. The researchers concluded their study by stating that D-mannose is very well suited for the prevention of urinary tract infections and cystitis – especially for people who suffer from recurrent cystitis.

On behalf of the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) investigated whether herbal remedies help with recurrent cystitis. The scientists concluded that the preventive use of... CranberryThese preparations can be beneficial for women with uncomplicated, recurrent cystitis. Compared to a placebo treatment, several randomized controlled trials suggest that the infection either does not recur or recurs only later.

To answer the question of whether herbal remedies help with recurrent uncomplicated bladder infections, the [study/project] identified [something] from IQWiG A team of scientists commissioned 15 suitable studies. Most of the included studies examined preparations containing cranberry. This suggests a possible To use of cranberry compared to placebo – both in terms of the recurrence rate of urinary tract infections and the time until the first recurrence. Regarding the prevention of recurrences, in addition to cranberry preparations, there is evidence for a preparation made from lovage root, rosemary leaves, and centaury. Added benefits, thus providing added value compared to treatment with antibiotics alone.

Several observational studies and one clinical study each prove that the plant mustard oils from Nasturtium and horseradish are effective and well tolerated in uncomplicated respiratory infections and bladder infections, and can even reduce the relapse rate in urinary and respiratory tract infections when taken long-term.

Numerous studies show that the mustard oils it contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiviral have an effect. This showed that u.a...that only the combination of mustard oils from both plants achieves a particularly strong effect against many different types of bacteria. In addition to a direct growth-inhibiting and germicidal effect. Mustard oils also have an effect on bacterial biofilm formation and the penetration of bacteria into the cells of the bladder lining (internalization). According to current knowledge, these are essential mechanisms, especially with regard to recurrent bladder infections. Furthermore, mustard oils interfere with the signaling pathways relevant to the transmission of inflammation, thus contributing to the relief of the often very painful symptoms of bladder infections.

The amino acid L-Methionine has a Urine-acidifying effect: The body requires approximately 0.5 g/day of methionine to maintain muscle mass. If more than 1.5 g/day is consumed, the body must break down the excess. This breakdown process produces sulfate, which is excreted via the kidneys. Protons are secreted into the urine during this process, thus acidifying it.

This effect is described in the Treatment of urinary tract diseases exploited, in which an acidic pH value in the urine inhibits the attachment of bacteria to the urothelial cells as well as bacterial growth.In addition inhibits Methionine Formation of kidney stones, improves stone solubility and supports the effect of certain antibiotics.

The effects of pumpkin were first described in the 16th century in connection with the urinary tract. Today we know that the active ingredients are found in its seeds, i.e., the pumpkin seeds, can be found in pumpkin seeds. Their positive effects on the bladder have been extensively studied scientifically. It is noteworthy that these active ingredients are not, as often assumed, found in the popular pumpkin seed oil, but exclusively in the shell of the pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are indicated for strengthening and toning bladder function, as well as for treating overactive bladder and urinary problems associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, prostate-protective, and urodynamic effects have been demonstrated for phytosterols isolated from pumpkin seeds. In addition to specific phytosterols, non-specific constituents such as unsaturated fatty acids, certain amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements may also contribute to the therapeutic effect of pumpkin seeds.

As early as the 1960s, anecdotal reports described the calming and regulating effect of pumpkin seed oil ("bladder tonic") on the bladder. Later, an open-label study examined the effect of 6 g of pumpkin seed oil daily in 101 patients with overactive bladder. During treatment, symptoms and the voiding index (daily urine volume/number of urinations) improved: After eight weeks of treatment, the average urine volume per urination had increased by almost 60%. Frequent and painful urination had noticeably decreased. Over 80% of the patients reported a subjective improvement.

In addition to its wound-healing powers, the Goldenrod Centuries ago, goldenrod was recognized for another therapeutic property: its diuretic effect. This has been confirmed by modern phytotherapy. Thus, goldenrod is now indicated for flushing therapy in cases of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and for the preventative treatment of kidney stones and gravel. Among its active ingredients are flavonoids, saponins, and phenolic glycosides. In addition to its diuretic effect, goldenrod has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and mildly spasmolytic properties. These have proven beneficial in treating urinary tract infections, such as cystitis.

The in rosemary The ingredients contained are u.aRosemary contains essential oils, tannins, flavonoids, bitter substances, and resins. In folk medicine, it is primarily used to stimulate bile and urine flow, for wounds and eczema, and for gastrointestinal complaints.

Lovage Lovage root is also among the time-tested medicinal plants when it comes to the natural treatment of cystitis, kidney problems, and urinary stones. For example, the essential oils contained in lovage promote u.aThe excretion of urine via the kidneys – they have a diuretic effect, as it is called in medical terminology. This means the urinary tract is flushed more thoroughly. As a result, bacteria indirectly find it more difficult to adhere to the mucous membrane and are flushed out with the urine.

A clinical study (see Wagenlehner, F.M. et al.: Urol Int 2018; 101:327-336) with over 600 patients from 2018 compared a combination of rosemary, lovage and centaury with the most frequently prescribed antibiotic therapy for acute, uncomplicated cystitis.The result: 84% of the women in the herbal preparation group did not require additional antibiotics. Both treatment strategies were equivalent in terms of time to onset and symptom reduction. And compared to antibiotic therapy, fewer gastrointestinal problems were observed with the three-herbal combination.

zinc Contributes to the maintenance of a normal immune system: White blood cells such as macrophages use zinc as a toxic weapon to fight bacterial infections.

Vitamin D Vitamin D increases the production of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide that may reduce the penetration of infectious microorganisms into the bladder lining by binding to the adhesion particles of pathogens such as E. coli (a similar mechanism to D-mannose) and stimulating the immune response. This is supported by a study of postmenopausal women, which found that women deficient in this vitamin were more prone to urinary tract infections. The study compared the vitamin D levels of women with recurrent infections to those of women without such episodes and found significantly lower levels in the first group (9.8 ng/ml compared to an average of 23 ng/ml).

Vitamin A contributes to the normal function of the (bladder) mucosa.