CYSTITIS

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An inflammation of the urinary bladder is called cystitis. It is characterized by discomfort in the bladder area, urgency and frequency. It is caused either by a germ or by a chemical irritation. Following are some suggestions to eliminate cystitis:

1. Avoid the use of animal products. Eggs in particular can cause a persistent cystitis, which clears up within a few days of leaving off all eggs from the diet. Even egg whites can irritate such individuals. Milk or other animal products may be the culprit. All dairy products must be eliminated meticulously, including whey products and sodium caseinate and sodium lactate.

2. All the methyl-xanthines must be removed from the diet. That includes coffee, tea, colas, chocolate, Gatorade, Mate, etc. These substances irritate the bladder; some are known to promote cancer.

3. All spices including pepper, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, etc., must be eliminated. You may use the herbs such as thyme, basil, garlic, onion, mint, etc.

4. Drink water abundantly - 8 glasses per day, and in addition use one cup of buchu tea in the morning and one cup in the evening (if buchu is not available, you may use burdock, corn silk, or watermelon seed tea). For acute symptoms, take one cup of buchu tea per hour until symptoms subside or until bedtime. Dehydration acts as an agent to worsen cystitis. Both germs and chemical irritants are more injurious when concentrated.

5. Wear no nylon panties or synthetic pants. Open the seam in the crotch of pantyhose six to eight inches to allow circulation of air.

6. Do not take tub baths, particularly with bubble bath or bath salts in the water. Even the soap and impurities from bathing can irritate the bladder. Never allow soap to touch the genital area.

7. Healthful clothing for cystitis includes two particular items: that of having no tight bands around the waist or abdomen, and second, keeping the extremities warm. Whatever is necessary to provide continual warmth for your hands and feet must be done. Usually this means in cold weather wearing long johns, perhaps two or three layers, with pants over that, substantial stockings such as wool or heavy knit synthetics, socks, or tights. If tights have an elastic band around the abdomen, this may be clipped with scissors to allow the elastic to open up to prevent any compression of the abdomen. There should be no mark left on the skin by tight clothing. Cold feet make a reflexive reduction in blood flow to all the pelvic organs.

8. A hot sitz bath or hot compresses across the low abdomen and upper thighs can be very helpful. Apply heat, either with the bath or with compresses for 20 minutes and end with 50 seconds of ice cold compress or 30 seconds of a cool shower. Either of these treatments may be given as "contrast treatments. " Use 5-6 minutes of heat, followed by 50 seconds of cold. Repeat three times for either the sitz bath or the compresses.

9. When emptying the bladder, relax the sphincter for a sufficient length of time, even using a little bearing down action to fully empty the bladder. The last few seconds of voiding represents a cleansing of the bladder by squeezing. Germs and cellular debris are removed at that time.

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The majority of this content is taken from Dr. Agatha Thrash of Uchee Pines Institute, printed with permission by Wildwood Inn Health Retreat.