Celiac disease is a malabsorption syndrome and chronic digestive disorder. The intestine is not able to absorb vital dietary nutrients from foods containing gliadin, an alcohol-soluble portion of gluten. This condition which is often hereditary means the sufferer has a serious intolerance to wheat (including durum, semolina and spelt), rye, oats, barley, and related grain hybrids such as tritaclae and kamut.
Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joint. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is characterised by joint degeneration and loss of cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis which is also an autoimmune disorder. In this case the body's immune system attacks its own cartilage and tissue surrounding the joints.
Some detoxification experts advocate fasting, while others do not. It is known that the components of any well-designed detox program will stimulate the body to cleanse itself, but people who are underweight, are undernourished, have weak hearts, have blood sugar issues or are ill should avoid fasting. Some studies have shown that restricting food intake can actually lead to bingeing.
Hemorrhoids are extremely common in industrialised countries and it is estimated that fifty percent of persons over fifty years of age have symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. Although most people may begin to develop hemorrhoids in the twenties, the symptoms do not become evident normally until in ones thirties!
Cystitis: natural treatments
- What is cystitis?
- How do I treat cystitis naturally?
- Cystitis: Natural treatments and remedies
- Diet for cystitis
- Supplements & herbs for cystitis
- Lifestyle tips for cystitis
Cystitis is caused by an inflammation of the bladder and/or urethra, which is the tube through which urine passes from the bladder and out of the body. This inflammation is almost always a result of infection, bruising or irritation.
Symptoms can be:
- Burning pain on urination
- Increased urinary frequency, especially at night
- Cloudy, foul smelling, or dark urine
- Lower abdominal pain
- Urinalysis shows significant number of bacteria and white blood cells.
The main symptoms of diabetes, which are the result of blood sugar levels that are too high, include excessive thirst, a significant increase in the frequency of urination, increased appetite, tiredness, lethargy, and weight loss. Other less characteristic symptoms include muscle cramps, tingling of the limbs, impaired or blurred vision, itchy skin, and slow wound healing.
Chronic interstitial cystitis is a persistent form of bladder irritation not due to infection. Here one can use the general measures listed below while focusing on enhancing the integrity of the tissue along the lining of the bladder and carefully checking for food allergies.
Far more common in women than in men, because of the close proximity of the urethra and the vagina to the anus, the symptoms make life intolerable for thousands of sufferers. Many women suffer their first attack around the time of menopause when a reduction in levels of the female hormone, oestrogen, causes a thinning of the tissues of the urethra and the vagina.
One good reason to seek out an alternative remedy is that between 50 and 80% of all the bacteria in the body are resistant to conventional treatment. Remember, prescription drugs can even cause cystitis, which often flares up during pregnancy.
How do I treat Cystitis naturally?
Cystitis - natural treatments and remedies
Diet for cystitis
- Cranberries contain a substance called hippuric acid, which prevents the E.coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. It will also change the acidity of the urine to stop the bacteria from multiplying. It is important you buy a non-sweetened brand. If you cannot face drinking at least 16 fluid ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice every day then try using a Cranberry powder.
- Drinking two litres of pure water flavoured with fresh lime daily will also help prevent re-infection. Drink 3 litres of water a day during an attack....but don't drink sweetened fruit drinks, coffee and alcohol while having an attack.
- Other natural diuretics (things that help clean out the bladder) are parsley, watermelon and celery. Eating these and/ or juicing them would be advantageous.
- The urine should be alkalised to best treat cystitis i.e. you should try to raise the bodies pH levels. You can do this by avoiding acid forming foods which include- white flour products, sugar, alcohol, tea, coffee, processed foods, salt, meat and grains. You should also increase intake of fruit and vegetables. I tsp of bicarbonate of soda in water will also help correct your pH.
- A simple Ayurvedic remedy is to boil 4 tablespoons of antibacterial coriander seeds in four cups of water until the liquid reduces by half. Strain and mix with a little honey to drink.
- Take 1 cup of barley in 1 pint of water, boil for 15 minutes and drink throughout the day. This is a potent antiinflammatory anti inflammatory.
- Ginger taken as a fresh ginger tea or as a herbal tincture is good as it opens and flushes out the bladder. Horsetail herb tones and detoxifies. Other useful herbs are cornsilk, marshmallow, buchu, yarrow, juniper berries and couchgrass. Use under the recommendation of a qualified herbalist or naturopath. One of herbalists' favourite herbs used to tackle cystitis and prevent reinfection is uva ursi or bearberry, (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ). A small, evergreen shrub that grows on moors and mountains, the leaves act as a urinary antiseptic thanks to a chemical called arbutin. In the body, this is converted to hydroquinone, a related compound with known urinary tract antiseptic properties; a glucose. Uva ursi is said to be particularly effective against E.coli - but again, it works better when the urine is alkaline, so drink plenty of pure water.
- Garlic has often been called 'nature's antibiotic' and it has been found to control many bacteria which have been implicated in cystitis such as E coli, proteus, klebsiella and staphylococcus.
Supplements & herbs for cystitis
Herbs
Start herbal therapy at the first sign of symptoms and continue for three days after you start feeling better. Teas work best for treating cystitis because the additional fluid intake helps the "flushing action." Combine two herbs from each of the following categories and drink 4 to 6 cups per day.
Urinary antiseptics are antimicrobial: uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva ursi), buchu
(Agathosma betulina), thyme leaf (Thymus vulgaris), pipissewa (Chimaphila umbellata)
Urinary astringents tone and heal the urinary tract: horsetail (Equisetum arvense),
plantain (Plantago major)
Urinary demulcents soothe the inflamed urinary tract: corn silk (Zea mays), couch
grass (Agropyron repens)
Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is best used alone in a cold infusion. Soak 1 heaping tbsp. of marshmallow root in 1 qt. of cold water overnight. Strain and drink during the day in addition to any other urinary tea.
For advanced or recurrent infections prepare a tincture of equal parts of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and coneflower (Echinacea purpurea). Take 30 drops four to six times per day.
Supplements
- Bioflavanoids are responsible for the colour of the leaves, flowers, and stems of food plants - and many of the medicinally active ingredients in herbs are bioflavanoids. They have excellent anti-inflammatory properties and work best when eaten with vitamin C. Best natural sources include citrus fruits, apricots, cherries, green peppers and broccoli. The richest source of all is the central white core of citrus fruits. Vitamin C can be supplemented(250 to 500 mg two times per day)as it makes urine acidic, which inhibits bacterial growth...try to use a vitamin C supplement high in bioflavanoids.
- Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that comes from pineapples. Bromelain is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been shown to have a beneficial effect on urinary tract infections, including cystitis.
- Zinc (30 to 50 mg per day)is an important mineral for the immune system and it needs to be taken both when an infection is present and to prevent a recurrence. It is recognised for it anti-infectious properties (in other words, it can help to prevent an infection from taking hold).
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: This probiotic helps to restore the 'good' or 'healthy' bacteria (known as flora) in your body. When you have an attack of cystitis it may be beneficial to use a vaginal cream that contains acidophilus as well as taking it orally. Lactobacillus acidophilus is available in a variety of different forms, including tablets and live organic yoghurts. For best effect, you should try to incorporate all of these forms into your diet when you are suffering from an attack. For supplemental use take lactobacillus 1/4 tsp plus probiotics 2 tsp for recolonisation of good flora/bacteria in he body.
- Beta-carotene (25,000 to 50,000 IU per day) is necessary for immune function and mucous membrane integrity.
- Avoid all sugars and refined carbohydrates, dilute fruit juices, and cutting down on known food allergens such as wheat and dairy products.
- You should avoid chemical irritants (including soaps, bubble baths, and bath oils) during an attack. You can use the antiseptic essential oils however, to help soothe the inflammation. Bergamot has an affinity with the genito-urinary system and is also excellent for thrush and vaginal itching. Dilute and mix with antiseptic lavender and sandalwood, which is highly effective against cystitis, in your bath.
- Having cystitis is an indication that your immune system is not working as well as it could. Look holistically at how you can boost your immune system over time to better fight off infection's. Remember that antibiotics therapy can actually promote recurrent bladder infections in some.
- Use cotton underwear, don't use a diaphragm and don't delay voiding the bladder.
- Always get up to pee after sex.
- Metaphysically having cystitis can be an indication that you are 'pissed off' or perhaps even disappointed by your partner.
