Urinary Tract Infections - Zentrum der Gesundheit

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Nature
Urinary Urinary Urinary Tract Tract Tract Infections
Infections
Nature
Causes
Prevention &
Treatment
Medicinal
Plants
Symptoms References
By: Ashley Gilpin, Hayley Brown & Sergio Huerta
A urinary tract infection is an infection of any of the organs in the urinary tract, which
consist of the bladder, the ureter, the urethra, and the kidneys.
Photo courtesy of http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/1122.htm
The diseases that affect each organ are:
Urethritis is infection/inflammation of the urethra. This can be due to other things
besides the organisms usually involved in UTI's; in particular, many sexually
transmitted diseases (STD's) appear initially as urethritis. However, stool-related
bacteria (the most common bacteria on the skin near the meatus) will also often cause
urethritis.
Cystitis is an infection of the bladder. This is the most common form of UTI; it can be
aggravated if the bladder does not empty completely when you urinate.
Ureteritis is infection of a ureter. This can occur if the bacteria entered the urinary
tract from above, or if the ureter-to-bladder valves don't work properly and allow
urine to "reflux" from the bladder into the ureters.
Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney itself. This can happen with infection
from above, or if reflux into the ureters is so bad that infected urine refluxes all the
way to the kidney.
Photo courtesy of http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/1123.htm
Causes
UTI’s occur:
When microorganisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening
of the urethra and begin to multiply
When bacteria enters the kidneys from the bloodstream
Most commonly from Escherichia coli (E. coli)
From microorganisms called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma
From an obstruction – a urinary stone or enlarged prostate (in men)
UTI’s are more likely to occur when:
Catheters or tubes are placed in the bladder
A person has diabetes because of changes in the immune system
The immune system has been suppressed
Infants are born with abnormalities of the urinary tract
Women use a diaphragm
Women whose partners use a condom with spermicidal foam
A person who has already had a UTI
People more susceptible to UTI’s:
Diabetics because of changes in the immune system
Infants who are born with abnormalities of the urinary tract
Women who use a diaphragm
Women whose partners use a condom with spermicidal foam
A person who has already had a UTI
Pregnant women
Post-menopausal women
Women on birth control pills
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Women with lowered immunity
Women with prolapsed urethra or bladder
Women with obstructions in the urinary tract
Women who are “non-secretors” of certain blood group antigens
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on age of person and where the UTI is located .
Symptoms of urethritis often include:
Burning sensation at the start of urination
Symptoms of cystitis often include:
Burning sensation in the middle of urination
Fever
Lower abdominal pain
Funny smell, color, or appearance (cloudy, dark, blood tinged) of urine
Symptoms of Pyelonephritis often include:
Pain in back, flanks, or abdomen
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting
Other symptoms of UTI’s:
Uncomfortable pressure above pubic bone
Fullness in rectum (in men only)
Small amount of urine, despite urge to urinate
Irritability (in children only)
Abnormal eating (in children only)
Complications if infected with pyelonephritis
Scarring and damage to kidney tissue
Kidney failure
Low blood pressure
Frequent fainting
Strokes
Heart disease
Prevention & Treatment
Diagnosis of UTI:
Photo by Sergio Huerta
A urine sample is given to be tested for pus and bacteria (urinalysis test)
The urine is examined for white and red blood cells and bacteria
Bacteria are grown in a culture and tested against antibiotics to determine which drug
best destroys bacteria
A sensitivity test is given
Nuclear scans to determine kidney damage
Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) which gives x-ray images of bladder, kidneys, and
ureters
Ultrasound of kidneys, ureter, and bladder
Cystoscopy
Dipsticks that change color with presence of an infection
Anti-biotics used to treat UTI:
Photos by Sergio
Huerta
Trimethoprim (Trimpex)
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxamole(TMP/SMZ) (Bactrim, Septra, Cotrim)
Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox, Wymox)
Nitrofurantoin (Nacrodantin, Furadantin)
Ampicillin
Ofloxacin (Floxin)
Norfloxacin (Noroxin)
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Treatment:
Antibiotics for 1-2 days
Single treatment is not recommended for patients with delayed treatments, kidney
infections, diabetes, structural abnormalities, males with prostate infections
Longer treatment needed by patients infected with Mycoplasma or Chlamydia which
is treated with tetracycline, TMP/SMZ, or doxycycline
Kidney infections require several weeks of antibiotic treatment
Heating pads may help in some cases
Doctors recommend lengthier therapy in men to prevent infections of prostate gland
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Prevention of UTI’s:
Drink plenty of water every day
Urinate when needed; don’t resist the urge to urinate
Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina
or urethra
Avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods
Avoid smoking
Take showers instead of tub baths
Cleanse genital area before sexual intercourse
Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may irritate the
urethra
Some doctors suggest drinking cranberry juice
Medicinal Plants
Herbal actions to help UTI:
Urinary support herbs – provide general heating support for the urinary system.
Herbs: agrimony, couchgrass, elder flowers, plantain, yarrow, juniper, horsetail,
Lady’s mantle, saw palmetto
Foundation support herbs – provide overall nutritional and adaptogenic support.
Herbs: nettles, red clover, super blue-green algae, astragulus, ginsengs, acidophilus,
burdock
Demulcents – will help soothe and coat irritated inflamed tissue. Herbs:
marshmallow, comfrey, plantain, violet, mullein, corn silk
Antispasmodics – helps body reduce muscular spasms along urinary tract. Herbs:
marshmallow, hops, red raspberry, skullcap, chamomile
Alkalizing herbs – may help alkalize the urine. Herbs: sarsaparilla, peppermint,
marshmallow, comfrey, root, plantain, ginger
Anti-microbials – help overcome and destroy pathogenic bacteria and strengthen
immune responses. Herbs: echinacea, goldenseal, myrrh, burdock, garlic, bilberry,
uva ursi, feverfew, honeysuckle, barberry, buchu
Diuretics – stimulate the kidney and bladder and increase the flow of urine. Herbs:
dandelion, corn silk, sassafras, juniper berry, fennel, cleavers, uva ursi, horsetail,
goldenrod, meadowsweet, pipsissewa, plantain, shepherd’s purse
Anti-inflammatory – lessen inflammation caused by bruising or trauma, or from
infection, and lessen pain. Herbs: ginger, Echinacea, yellow dock, licorice, gotu kola,
comfrey, chamomile, marshmallow
For cystitis: beth root, horsetail, hydrangea, corn silk, barberry, black haw
For kidney involvement: gravel root, marshmallow leaf, couchgrass, barberry, stone root,
hydrangea, corn silk, uva ursi
Bacteria specific herbs:
Enterobacter – eucalyptus
Candida – ginger, yarrow, barberry, fennel, black cohosh
E. Coli – yarrow, uva ursi, calendula, fennel, St. John’s wort, chamomile, Oregon
grape root, thyme, ginger
Klebsiella – uva ursi, thyme, St. John’s wort, honeysuckle, ginger
Proteus– – garlic, eucalyptus, thyme, horseradish
Streptococcus faecalis – calendula, blessed thistle, ginkgo, thyme, ginger
Plants used in the treatment of urinary tract infections:
1.) Cranberry: Traditionally, cranberry has been used for many urinary tract aliments.
Preparation of cranberry: the use of encapsulated cranberry extract, several large
glasses of high quality cranberry juice or of a cranberry tincture (cranberry extracted
into an alcohol solution) are recommended. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins,
which demonstrate an ability to prevent E. coli, the most common cause of bacterial
urinary tract infections, from adhering to the inner walls of the bladder.
Photo courtesy of The University of Maine Cooperative Extension
2.) Blueberry: Blueberry has also been used traditionally to treat and prevent urinary
tract infections. Like the cranberry, blueberries demonstrate bioactive compounds
that inhibit the ability of E. coli to adhere to the walls of the bladder. Rutgers
University is currently conducting a wide variety of studies on the medicinal values
of blueberries, including its use for urinary tract infections.
Photo courtesy of http://Free-Stock-Photos.com
3.) Bearberry/ Uva ursi: Bearberry preparation: an effusion of bearberry leaves is the
recommended method of use, along with plenty of fruits and vegetables to make the
urine more alkaline. Bearberry leaves contain arbutin, which exhibits an antibacterial
effect in alkaline urine, where arbutin breaks down into glucose and an antibacterial
unbound hydroquione.
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Photo courtesy of Luz Hernandez
4.) Horseradish: Horseradish preparation: ingestion of the volatile oil. Horseradish’s
volatile oil exhibits an antibacterial effect on the bacteria that can cause urinary tract
infections.
5.) Goldenseal: Bererine, an alkaloid that may act similarly to proanthocyanidins in
inhibiting bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder, is present in goldenseal,
as well as Oregon grape and other plants. However, more research into the
effectiveness of bererine is needed.
6.) Asparagus: like birch, horsetail, Java tea, lovage, parsley, and spiny restharrow,
asparagus appears to help relieve urinary tract infections by increasing urinary
volume, which would in turn help flush out the infectious material.
7.) Juniper berry: contains bitter compounds that increase the flow of urine. It also
increases production of digestive fluids that assist in absorption as well as relieves
pain. The berry is often used as an antiseptic, diuretic, and stimulant. It is extremely
useful with chronic cystitis but best when not used when there is acute inflammation
because may result in irritation of bladder
8.) Plantain : Diuretic properties useful for kidney and urinary bladder infections
9.) Dandelion root: Contains bitter compounds that enhance efficiency of eliminative
and detoxifying functions. Dandelion root also restores normal liver function and
increases the flow of urine. It is used as a strong diuretic and relieves false
sensations of urgency.
10.) Chamomile flowers : Contain aromatic compounds that increase production of
digestive fluids. The flowers reduce muscle spasms and pains, and inflammation. It
is often used as an antiseptic
11.) Couch grass: It is used as a diuretic. Also used as and anti-inflammatory on lining
of bladder
12.) Cleavers : Are used as a soothing diuretic and are extremely useful with acute or
chronic cystitis
13.) Nettles: Used as a mild diuretic
14.) Buchu: Is used as a diuretic and a urinary disinfectant. It stimulates urination and
soothes burning sensations during urination. Buchu should not be used if there is
acute inflammation in the urinary tract
15.) Echinacea: Improves overall immune responses and strengthens tissues. Echinacea
also stimulates immune responses
16.) Corn silk: Used as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Corn silk reduces painful
symptoms and swelling. It is often used as a urinary demulcent.
17.) Hydrangea: Stimulates and cleans kidneys. Hydrangea also helps urinary and back
pains and irritation in the bladder and the urethra. It works quickly on urethral pain
18.) Marshmallow Root: Inhibits bacterial growth in the urinary tract and strengthens
and cleans bladder. It is used as a demulcent , emollient , and a diuretic. It soothes
urinary system and helps kidney and bladder inflammations. It effectively stops
bleeding in urine
19.) Yarrow: It is used as an anti-inflammatory, antiypyretic , spasmolytic , diaphoretic,
astringent, and tonic. Yarrow also regulates urination problems and soothes and
heals mucous membranes
20.) Gravel Root: Used as a mild diuretic, stimulant, tonic, and urinary anodyne. It helps
with deep back ache and cloudy and milky urine
21.) Burdock : Kills disease causing bacteria and fungi
22.) Goldenrod: Used as a mild antiseptic, diuretic. Helps pain in kidneys and dark urine
23.) Cinnamon : Proven to completely suppress causes of E. coli and Candida albicans,
UTI causing bacteria and fungus, respectively.
References
Copson, Mary Ann. Herbs for Urinary Infections. http://www.evenstaronline.com/articles
/urinary.html
Howell, Amy. Research Update on Beneficial Medicinal Compounds in Blueberries.
http://cook.rutgers.edu/~bluecran/medicinalgeneralinfopage.htm
Johnston , Laurance Ph.D Natural Urinary Tract Health: Herbal, Essential Oil, &
Homeopathy Therapies. http://healingtherapies.info/Urinary-
Tract%20Health%20-%20Part%202.htm
National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Urinary Tract Infections
in Adults. http://www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/index.htm#Research
Supplements A-Z: Bearberry. http://www.supplementwatch.com/supatoz
/supplement.asp?supplementId=324
Urinary Tract Infections. http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Concern/UTI.htm
Viday, Reddy M.D. Urinary Tract (Kidney and Bladder) Infections.
http://www.drreddy.com/uti.html
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html
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