AYURVEDA PERSPECTIVE ON BLADDER / URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)

Sweetness of the blood feeds the bacteria, often e. coli from the intestines.

Toxicity in the blood irritates the bladder and urinary membranes, making them vulnerable to infection. Keeping the bowels clean is thus a significant tool for eliminating UTI. An outbreak of acne, gas or bloating may be an early warning sign that the system is becoming toxic. These early warning signs may be a cue to avoid dairy, wheat and other heavy, rich foods. Use cleansing herbs and laxatives to help with this kind of UTI.

Cross-infection - Vaginal dysbiosis, pH levels, sexual activity, and poor personal hygiene can lead to infections of the urinary tract. E. coli from the intestines can seed the infection of the urinary tract. Antimicrobials, probiotics, immune stimulants and balancing pH can help.

Bacterial vaginosis can be a significant factor causing UTI. Women who experience UTI after intercourse should drink a glass of water before and after sex. BV and UTI may increase around menopause, as the depletion of estrogen thins mucus membranes. In this case topical estrogen creams and shatavari ghee can help.

Heat in the blood (inflammation) irritates membranes, making them prone to infection. Liver irritating foods like spinach or tomatoes may also increase irritating 'choleric' heat in the blood (bilirubin). Generally, UTI's occur in Kapha / Pitta females with excess of earth element. UTI's are rare in males - and require a doctor's visit to examine underlying pathology.

An antimicrobial diuretic like uva ursi, together with mannose (a sugar in cranberries) may resolve a UTI. See a doctor if there is no improvement within 48 hours, or you see blood in the urine, or have a fever, or mid-back pain.

Stagnation - Any obstructive cause to urination, such as urine retention, prostate enlargement, kidney stones, inflammatory swelling of ureter, etc) can cause stagnation of urine.

Prevailing wisdom suggests 'flushing' the infection by drinking lots of fluids. But this can further irritate tissues. Instead, a constant trickle of antimicrobial herbs, by moderate drinking of soothing antimicrobial diuretics, may be preferred.

Inflammation / Irritation - Irritation arising from any of the above causes, as well as kidney stones, can lead to infection. Anti-inflammatories, soothing demulcents, restoratives, and vulneraries can help.

Hyperglycemia predisposes to yeast / fungi overgrowth, causing UTI. Causes of hyperglycemia include excess sugar consumption and diabetes.

When symptoms of a UTI are present, but the urine culture is sterile, it may be interstitial cystitis, an auto-immune condition. Food allergens are often overlooked as another cause of UTI. "Whenever I eat food I'm allergic to, my kidneys ache," note John Immel, founder of Joyful Belly.