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Dealing with a bladder infection can be annoying and sometimes very painful. Ordinary urine carries the waste products, fluid, and salts that the body needs to expel. When bacteria is found in the urine it can herald the presence of a bacterial infection in the urinary tract which often results in, pain, stiffening of the bladder, and may cause blood to be present in the urine. Urinary tract infections can be miserable, but fortunately they can be helped by an ounce of prevention and a few simple home remedies.

At the onset of a bladder infection or cystitis, stop eating solid foods immediately. Increase your intake of water or or drink coconut water or cranberry juice for the next few days. If you don't have a fever you can add vegetable juices, but be sure to dilute them half-and-half with water. If you experience severe pain in your lower back or bladder area, please consult your doctor. To help relieve bladder pain, try soaking in a hot tub, or placing a heating pad on your stomach. Treatments of hot and cold packs are a great way to relieve pain.

Naturally, drinking plenty of water will help you urinate more frequently and hopefully rid the body of the infection as well as clean out the urethra. It is recommended that healthy adults drink a minimum of 8-10 9 ounce glasses of water each day. If you find drinking water is difficult for you, there are plenty of brands that offer sugar free, flavored water, or try adding a slice or two of your favorite citrus fruit. It may help you get the water your body needs.

Cranberry juice is an age-old remedy for bladder infection, and for good reason. It is a naturally antiseptic berry and helps to naturally clean out the kidneys, bladder and ureters. When drank regularly, it can help keep your urinary system functioning properly.

The adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" definitely applies to the health of your urinary system. Urinary infections are much easier to avoid than they are to suffer through until you've managed to clear them up. Some tips for keeping your urinary tract healthy include:

* Urinate often. You normally will if you are drinking the needed amount of water each day. Tea is a natural diuretic but try drinking decaffeinated or herbal tea instead of the "leaded" versions.

* When you go to the bathroom, wipe from front to back. This prevents bacteria from being transferred from the rectal area to the urethra, which connects to the bladder.

* Keep the area clean and take extra vitamin C. It won't hurt you and may help you stay healthier in other ways too.

* Wear cotton undergarments. Cotton allows air to circulate in the area, keeping it drier which helps prevent bacteria growth.

* Another popular home remedy for prevention of bladder infection is to eat a cup of yogurt each day. Yogurt can be found in flavored or unflavored varieties and there are even low fat and low calorie yogurts available. Many have natural fruit and are tasty and help your digestive tract as well due to the presence of live yeast cultures, or acidophillus.

Herbs have a lot of different actions which can affect the bladder: disinfectants (can kill bacteria), analgesics (are soothing), diuretics (can increase the output of urine) or narcotics (reduce or relieve pain). Herbs employed to address cystitis would reduce the inflammation, soothe muscle spasms as well as be antiseptic. They'd also increase urine production in order to flush out the infection and help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Herbs to help resolve a urinary tract infection (UTI):

Support herbs which provide general healing support for the urinary system: agrimony, couchgrass, elder flowers, plantain, yarrow, juniper (not with inflammation), horsetail

Demulcents to help soothe and coat irritated, inflamed tissue: marshmallow, comfrey, plantain, violet, mullein, cornsilk.

Antispasmodics to assist in helping the body reduce muscular spasms along the urinary tract: marshmallow, hops, red raspberry, scullcap, chamomile.

Alkalizing herbs to help alkalize the urine: sarsaparilla, peppermint, marshmallow, comfrey root., plantain, ginger.

Anti-microbials and antiseptics to help overcome and destroy bacteria and strengthen immune responses: echinacea, goldenseal, myrrh, burdock, garlic, bilberry, uva ursi, feverfew, honeysuckle, barberry, buchu.

Diuretics to help stimulate the kidney and bladder and increase urine flow: dandelion, cornsilk, sassafras, juniper berry, fennel, cleavers, uva ursi, horsetail, goldenrod, meadowsweet, pipsissewa, plantain, shepherd's purse

Anti-inflammatory to lessen the inflammation which could have been caused by bruising or trauma, or from the present infection. These will help lessen pain and discomfort: ginger, echinacea, yellow dock, licorice, gotu kola, comfrey, chamomile, marshmallow.

Don't neglect immune system support when battling frequent urinary tract infections. A strong immune system, which is supported via good nutrition, exercise, a healthy lifestyle and herbs, is your front line against any bacterial infection.

Reference:

Herbs & Urinary Tract Infections by Mary Ann Copson

Dee Braun, a single mom of 6 kids, is a Certified Aromatherapist, Certified Dr. of Reflexology and a natural health practitioner. Click now to visit Health or High Water at - where you will find tons of helpful information on ways to improve your health using to help battle the ravages of time, poor nutrition, toxins and stress as well as address many common health ailments and conditions.

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