Get Relief from Painful Bladder Syndrome
Remedy Urinary Pain that Can't be Attributed to Infection or Stones
Many women know the misery of bladder infections. The pain and burning can come back despite treatment with antibiotics. Sometimes tests show no bacteria in the urine but the burning continues. Is it a sign of depression, hormone imbalance, or are there other causes of inflammation at work?
Stress may be a Factor
No one knows how mental and emotional stress can find its way to the urinary tract, but some cases of PBS respond to treatment for depression. The psychiatric drug Effexor has shown anecdotal evidence of effectiveness in relieving symptoms. Energy and body work to get in touch with feelings are alternative therapies that work for some people.
Birth Control Pills Might Cause PBS
If symptoms become worse during times related to menstrual cycles, a hormone imbalace could be related to PBS. Changing oral contraceptives from one containing estrogen to one containing progesterone-only might alleviate symptoms.
Urine May Contain Antiproliferative Factor (APF)
A 2003 study conducted by the researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center found that women suffering from Interstitial Cystitis had this substance, which blocks normal cell growth in the lining of the bladder, in their urine. The presence of AFP is associated with other inflammatory conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
Celiac Disease is linked to Other Inflammatory Diseases
Gluten intolerance, or Celiac disease, is characterized by a systemic reaction to dietary gluten found in wheat, barley, and rye. The only treatment is strict avoidance of these substances, which are often hidden in processed foods and restaurant dishes. Celiac disease can be difficult to diagnose and is often aggravated by dairy products, which can sometimes be added back into the diet after gluten has been avoided for a time. A gluten free diet might be the answer to some cases of urinary tract inflammation.
Try Eating only Bladder-Friendly Foods
The Interstitial Cystitis Association publishes a list of foods that rarely irritate even the most sensitive bladder, and advise that people who are newly diagnosed limit their diet to those foods, adding others as symptoms subside. A careful daily diary of personal eating habits is invaluable in the struggle to find out what foods trigger inflammation. Foods to avoid include alcohol, coffee, tea, sodas, flavored drinks, acidic fruits (including cranberries and tomatoes), processed foods, junk foods, fast food, and artificial colors and sweeteners.
Quick Pain Relief
Hot baths and hot water bottles relieve pain. Urethral burning can be stopped temporarily by applying tea tree oil to the external meatus.
Rimso, a prescription medication, is Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) in a form approved for treatment of Interstitial Cystitis. It relieves pain and inflammation and has only mild side effects. A doctor can decide if it is appropriate.
A doctor should also be consulted immediately if there is blood in the urine, as this can be a symptom of a more serious condition.
Female Bladder and Urinary Tract
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