Are your emotions causing your Cystitis?

Some of my clients suffer with recurrent cystitis or UTI’s (Urinary Tract Infections). Their stories of pain and discomfort and the relief they’ve had from homeopathic remedies has led me to write this blog post.

Many of my clients have been on long-term antibiotics for Cystitis for years. In fact, many of them have been on antibiotics for so long that they now no longer work and they are suffering with side effects from the antibiotics!

What is Cystitis?

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. Bladder infections can be caused by a number of different factors ranging from not drinking enough water, not emptying your bladder properly or often enough, irritation around the urethra (tube through which urine passes out of the body) or bacteria being transferred from the anus to the urethra (for example, during sex).

Symptoms of cystitis:

• pain, burning or stinging when you urinate
• needing to urinate often and urgently but passing only small amounts of urine
• urine that’s dark, cloudy or strong smelling
• traces of blood in your urine
• pain low in your belly (directly above the pubic bone), or in the lower back or abdomen
• feeling unwell, weak or feverish

Despite these obvious causations and symptoms, it still doesn’t explain why someone will get cystitis regularly, and why someone else won’t get it at all.

What makes you susceptible?

In homeopathy we talk a lot about ‘susceptibility’. This is the idea that you are susceptible to a certain type of infection because either your immune system is low, you have a weakness in that area or an emotional upset that has not been expressed properly. In homeopathy we use a lot of the principles of Chinese medicine to further support the choice of any remedies prescribed.

What Chinese Medicine has to say

The bladder eliminates urine, which is produced by the kidneys. In Chinese medicine kidney or bladder problems tend to be the result when we have difficulty letting go of our emotions, especially negative ones, and feelings become blocked. The kidney energy (also known as Chi) holds our fear. Above the two kidneys are the adrenals, which release adrenaline, which is realised in response to fear. The kidneys are particularly concerned with fear connected to relationships, unexpressed grief or emotional insecurity. Fear then triggers the activity of the adrenal glands to start producing stress hormones.

The bladder is where we release ourselves of our unwanted negative emotions. So any problems here relate to our negative feelings of hurt, irritation, frustration, anger and fears that are not being released.

Self Help: Firstly, make sure you drink plenty of extra spring water. To reduce the acidity of your urine drink 0.25 litre of water with bicarbonate of soda in every 20 minutes to flush out the bladder to a maximum of 1tsp per hour for 2 hours. (Do not use this tip if you have a heart condition).

Supplements

D-Mannose – D-Mannose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in some plants, including cranberries. D-Mannose may help treat UTIs by binding to bacteria that would otherwise attach to the urinary tract lining.

Probiotics – New research suggests that replenishing the body with probiotics can be a natural way to fight off chronic urinary tract infections.

Cranberry – Supplementing with cranberry has been shown to help treat and prevent recurrences. Ideally take it in a supplement form as most Cranberry juices are full of refined sugar

Homeopathy

If you have recurring Cystitis or Urethral Syndrome then you will definitely need and benefit from a thorough consultation with a homeopath. If you have an attack of Cystitis and you recognise the warning signs, use a homeopathic remedy as soon as you feel symptoms.

Cantharis: Use this medicine in all acute Cystitis cases with burning symptoms, if no other remedy is clearly indicated. Patient may have constant urging to urinate with burning sensations in the urethra or bladder before/during or after urination. May have inability to empty bladder properly.

Staphysagria: Use this remedy when bladder irritation/Cystitis is linked to either increased sexual activity, an incomplete surgical healing on either an emotional or physical level, or a suppressed strong emotion such as anger or indignation. Good to use with symptoms after catheterisation carried out for a surgical procedure.

Sepia: Use this medicine for Cystitis when it is associated with sagging or prolapse of the bladder causing symptoms of urinary incontinence and a bearing down sensation. The patient may be irritable especially with loved ones and will feel much better after exercise.

Arsenicum: Burning pains in the lower abdomen with patient feeling restless, anxious and chilly.

Apis: Strong and frequent urge to empty the bladder with stingy sharp pains in abdomen and hot and bloody urine.

Until next time, have a happy, healthy week!

Claire Zarb LCPH
t: +44 (0)7582 269569
e: claire@clairezarb.com
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