By Shellie L. Rosen, Ph.D., Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM)®, DOM, L.Ac.
Muscle and tissue changes throughout life can affect bladder health and performance. Muscles weaken, and the bladder wall changes, resulting in the inability to retain larger volumes of urine. The changes can also cause leakage or infection along the urinary tract and bladder. Infections can also be a cause of bladder or urinary tract symptoms.
Sometimes infections are apparent; other times, they linger silently, degrading bladder health. Symptoms of urinary bladder issues include pain, urgency/frequency of urination, and leakage. Luckily, behaviors and supplements can protect and repair the urinary bladder.
Resisting the urge to urinate when the bladder is full can stretch bladder walls, causing tissue damage and infection growth. Constipation, or a full colon, can also restrict the bladder from completely emptying. In both cases, urine remains in the bladder too long, allowing bacteria to collect and grow. It takes about three hours for bacteria to colonize the urethra before it begins to move into the bladder. Therefore, it is vital to drink enough water to empty your bladder every three hours. Conversely, suppose you attempt to clear a bladder infection by drinking large volumes of water. In that case, you can dilute treatment options, failing to kill the bacteria.
Those with recurring or chronic urinary symptoms or infections may need to alter their approach. Bacteria can grow resistant to antibiotics but not necessarily permanently. Rotating antibiotics for chronic or persistent infections can be an effective strategy.
However, if antibiotic rotation is ineffective, perhaps a biofilm is responsible. Biofilms attach to the bladder surface and trap and protect bacteria inside them. In some cases, bacteria can elude urine tests because they are protected in biofilms attached to the bladder wall, not released into the urine. Biofilms are not always cleared or disrupted by antibiotics. Enzymes such as serrapeptase, nattokinase, peptidase, and protease can help break down the biomass that composes a biofilm. Probiotics can also help break down biofilms to treat and prevent urinary tract infections. Clinical trials show that lactobacillus (often lactobacillus crispatus) probiotic strains benefit the urinary bladder.
Urinary tract infections can pass from partner to partner. Men are frequently asymptomatic carriers, so they should not rely on symptoms alone. If one partner tests positive for a bacterial infection, both partners should be tested and potentially treated. Cleansing, hydrating and urinating before intercourse to clear urinary tract bacteria is necessary. Vaginal health for women can be a contributing factor to urinary tract health because vaginal bacteria can colonize the urethra. As women age, vaginal estrogen or DHEA can support vaginal tissues and urogenital microbiome.
One of the best over-the-counter supplements to help clear gram-negative bacteria (the most common bacteria in the urinary tract, such as E. coli) is D-mannose, which comes from mannitol. It attracts and clears low levels of bacteria. Take 500 mg every three hours for acute infection (or ongoing if needed) for five days. More substantial treatment may be necessary if your testing reveals high levels of E. coli.
Uva ursi is an herb to consider for gram-positive pathogens. Urinary tract infection test strips are available for purchase online, and they test for leukocytes (indicating the presence of white blood cells that fight infection), nitrite (indicating the presence of bacteria), and acid levels (above 7.5 indicates an imbalance). Testing before, during, and after treatment, and any time symptoms are present can help suggest the level of support one may need.
It can take about four months for bladder wall tissue to regenerate after a bacterial load is reduced and treated. Take treatment seriously and stick with supplements and bladder health programs long after symptoms have resided, especially if you have been dealing with issues for a long time.
Chinese herbal medicines are remarkably effective for urogenital imbalances. However, Chinese herbs are not “one size fits all.” A trained herbalist will often change your formula based on your evolving symptoms. Implementing probiotics, D-mannose, uva ursi, and taking vitamin D3 for immune support can be helpful in prevention and treatment. Antibiotics can be incredibly beneficial, but they kill the good and the bad bacteria, leaving behind a vulnerable environment for reinfection to the same or another pathogen. If you use antibiotics, repopulate with probiotics after you complete your treatment.
Abundant blessings this summer with your urinary bladder health.
