Cystitis...?

Tell her to stop consuming any food that has more unsaturated fat
content than whole milk dairy. You can go beyond this and just use
fresh coconut oil if you want to speed up the process. She is
suffering from arachidonic acid overload, which causes the "-itis"
diseases.

See my new post, Will the real "essential fatty acid" hypothesis
please stand up!, for specifics, or read my other posts - just search
this group for montygram.

"montygram" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tell her to stop consuming any food that has more unsaturated fat
content than whole milk dairy. You can go beyond this and just use
fresh coconut oil if you want to speed up the process.

Worth a try! Thanks!

Katt.

Katt said:

"montygram" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Tell her to stop consuming any food that has more unsaturated fat
content than whole milk dairy. You can go beyond this and just use
fresh coconut oil if you want to speed up the process.

Worth a try! Thanks!

She should go back to her physician. And you to yours. The simplist
answer is it's a couple problem and you both may need to be treated.
Read the following.

Cystitis
Written by Mr John Macfarlane, consultant urological surgeon and Dr
Paul Klenerman, specialist

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder, but the term is often used
indiscriminately and covers a range of infections and irritations in
the lower urinary system. It causes burning sensations during urination
and a frequent need to urinate.

How do you get cystitis?

Infection from intestinal bacteria is by far the most frequent cause of
cystitis, especially among women, who have a very short urethra (the
tube through which the urine passes from the bladder to the outside).
Normally, urine is sterile (there are no micro-organisms such as
bacteria present). Between 20 to 40 per cent of women will get cystitis
in their lifetime.

However, it is possible to have bacteria in the bladder without having
any symptoms. There can be several reasons for the bacteria settling in
the bladder. When a person is unable to empty the bladder completely by
urinating, it is called urine retention. The small drop which is always
left behind may contain bacteria. Conditions that may make it easier
for the bacteria to travel through the urethra include those listed
below.

Toilet hygiene

Particularly common among females, as they have a shorter urethra
than males and it is situated relatively close to their anus (back
passage). Women and girls must dry themselves from front to back,
towards the anus - not the other way around - to avoid leading bacteria
from their intestine into their urethra.

Congenital deformity in the urinary system

In the case of repeated infections of the urinary system,
particularly among boys and young men, the individual should be checked
for a congenital (present from birth) deformity somewhere in the
urinary system which prevents the complete emptying of the bladder.

People with a catheter

Everyone with a catheter (to drain urine) will have bacteria in
their bladder, usually without symptoms. During the change of catheter,
small lesions (damaged areas) may appear, which may increase the danger
of infection (cystitis) and possible blood infection.

Men with an enlarged prostate

An enlarged prostate (male sex gland) prevents the bladder from
emptying completely.

Pregnant women

If pregnant women have bacteria in their urine, their urine
should be cultured twice, regardless of whether or not they have any
symptoms. If the same strains of bacteria occur, they should be
treated. Otherwise, there is the risk of kidney infection and pre-term
delivery (if near the due date).

Other causes

'Honeymoon' cystitis

Cystitis in women related to increased frequency of sexual
activity.

Venereal diseases

Gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections may cause symptoms similar to
cystitis. Cystitis-like symptoms among young sexually active men may be
caused by venereal diseases.

Parasites

Particularly among people who have been in North Africa or the
Middle East. The bladder may be infested by parasites - schistosomiasis
or bilharzia (river blindness). The symptoms are similar to cystitis,
but there are no bacteria in the urine.

Postmenopausal women

Due to lack of female sex hormones in postmenopausal women, a
range of changes take place in the whole body. A consequence of this is
that the urinary system is more easily irritated by cystitis.

Contact dermatitis

Women using a deodorant or other potentially irritating material
on their genitals may develop cystitis-like symptoms.

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

* Burning sensations or pain during urination.

* Frequent urination.

* Cloudy and foul-smelling urine.

* Pain directly above the pubic bone.

* Children under five years of age often have less concrete
symptoms, such as weakness, irritability, reduced appetite and
vomiting.

* Older women may also have no symptoms other than weakness, falls,
confusion or fever.

Who is at special risk?

* Women or girls who do not practice proper toilet hygiene.

* Pregnant women.

* People with a congenital deformity in the urinary system.

* Men with an enlarged prostate.

* People using a catheter.

Good advice

It is important to drink sufficiently, so the bladder is flushed
thoroughly.

During urination the bladder should be emptied completely. It is a bad
habit to sit on the toilet bent forward and reading while urinating.

A trick is to place yourself backwards on the toilet, so you lean
against the wall. This posture is more suitable in securing a complete
emptying of the bladder than the usual sitting posture.

Warm clothes on the lower part of the body will also help prevent
cystitis.

As a prevention, it may be helpful to drink cranberry juice every day
or take capsules. There is no doubt that this simple and natural
treatment brings relief to many women with cystitis. It is thought that
the cranberry juice works by preventing common bacteria from
'sticking' to the walls of the bladder and so preventing infection
taking hold.

Urination immediately after sexual intercourse will flush out most
bacteria from the urethra.

Try to urinate at least once every three hours. Women who avoid
urination for long periods suffer from more infections of the urinary
system.

What treatments are available?

There are a number of products available from your pharmacist to treat
cystitis. These can be used unless a woman is vomiting or if there is
blood in the urine or if a woman is pregnant in which case she should
consult her doctor. Usually, a single course of treatment clears up the
problem, but if symptoms persist after trying an over-the-counter
remedy then you should consult your doctor.

How does a doctor diagnose cystitis?

The most important examination of urine is done by chemical testing
(dipstick test), which is very quick, and by urine culture where the
specimen is sent to a hospital laboratory to grow and examine the
bacteria. The specimen must be fresh. It is also important that the
woman has separated her labia (lips) during urination, to avoid
bacteria from the skin and vagina contaminating the specimen. If there
is inflammation, the doctor will identify bacteria and red and white
blood cells in the urine.

In the case of repeated, inexplicable, infections of the urinary
system, a referral should be made to a hospital for tests such as
ultrasound scanning or X-rays of the urinary system and cystoscopy
(telescopic examination of the bladder).

Future prospects

Some people, particularly women, may have repeated infections. To avoid
this, follow the good advice above. Women who have more than two
episodes of cystitis yearly may benefit from medium term use of an
antibiotic as protection against infection. The effectiveness of
long-term antibiotics (over 12 months) has not been clearly
established.

References
Cooper, B and Jepson, R. Recurrent cystitis in non-pregnant women.
Clinical Evidence Issue 5. June 2001 1338-1345

Jepson RG, Mihaljevic L, Craig J. Cranberries for preventing urinary
tract infections (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1,
2000. Oxford: Update Software.

Jepson RG, Mihaljevic L, Craig J. Cranberries for treating urinary
tract infections (Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1,
2000. Oxford: Update Software.

The Cochrane Review Groups are working on further evidence: Expected in
Issue 2, 2000:

Albert X, Gosalbes V, Huertas I, Pereiró I, Sanfélix J,.
Interventions for preventing recurrent urinary tract infection in women
(Protocol for a Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1,
2000. Oxford: Update Software. Expected to be published in Issue 2,
2000.

Lutters M, Vogt N. Antibiotics duration for treating uncomplicated,
symptomatic lower urinary tract infections in elderly women (Protocol
for a Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2000.
Oxford: Update Software.

Last updated 02.03.2005