Cystitis, the inflammation of the bladder, is usually secondary to ascending urinary tract
infections. Other organs such as the kidney, prostate, and urethra, may be involved.
Acute cystitis is characterized by frequent and painful urination. Chronic cystitis occurs
secondary to some other lesion with possibly pyuria as the only symptom. Interstitial
cystitis is a chronically irritable and painful inflammatory bladder condition. It is not
known what causes it. Most commonly seen in women between the ages of 30 and 70, this
disease is not life-threatening, but the extreme pain can be intolerable. If there is a
presence of Hunner's ulcer of the bladder, diagnosis of interstitial cystitis is confirmed.
This type of cystitis is marked by frequent urination, waking from sleep to urinate
(nocturia),, and suprapublic pain when the bladder fills. There is no curative therapy.
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Cystitis
ystitis is defined as
inflammation of the bladder. It occurs mostly in women, however, it can affect men and
children of all ages. The main symptoms are frequency and urgency in urination, waking to
urinate, pain or burning when urinating, and cloudy urine with an unpleasant odor. Mainly
caused by coliform bacteria, a common occupant of the bowel. Other bacteria or infection
may be involved as well, such as Escherichia coli, and Chlamydia, especially in sexually
active women.
Juniper berry has
a long history of traditional use in herbalism in connection with the urinary tract.
Its volatile oil contains terpinen-4-ol.
Uva Ursi (or Bearberry)
contains the glucoside Arbutin, which is largely absorbed
unchanged and then excreted by the kidneys.
Burdock root
is traditionally used as a diuretic and contains polyacetylenes.
Dandelion is another traditional diuretic;
good fluid intake should be maintained daily. Other herbs
traditionally used by herbalists are
Goldenseal,
Licorice,
Nettles, and
Black Walnut.
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