Nonantibiotic Treatments for Urinary Cystitis: An Overview

What Is Urinary Cystitis?

Urinary cystitis or urinary tract infection, or bladder infection, is a condition in which bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause infections. A bladder infection can affect people of any age and must be treated soon. Several healthy bacteria are present in the skin and the bowel, but they are not allowed to enter the urinary system. In the case of bladder infection, these bacteria enter the urinary tract through the skin or the stools. As a result, the patient experiences fever, pain, and a burning sensation while passing urine. The condition might go unnoticed in infants and young children as they cannot express their symptoms. As a result, the situation worsens and can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.

How Is the Urinary Tract Normally?

The urinary tract consists of organs that eliminate waste products from the body. The kidneys filter blood, form urine, and maintain the body's fluid levels. Next, the urine travels to the urinary bladder through tubes known as ureters. Finally, the urine exits the body through the urethra. Normally, the urinary tract is sterile but is exposed to thousands of bacteria from the gut. However, the immune cells protect from bacteria. Bladder infections occur when the immune cells fail to function, and the bacteria enter the urinary bladder through the urethra. It is commonly seen in newborns, young children, and females. The condition worsens if left untreated for a long time.

What Are the Causes of Urinary Cystitis?

There are several causes of urinary tract infections, but the main culprit behind these infections is Escherichia coli (E.coli). The causes of urinary tract infections or urinary cystitis are listed below:

1. Bacterial Infection -The kidneys form urine that helps flush out the bacteria, which is how the urinary tract saves itself from infections. The major threat to the urinary tract is bacteria residing in the gut. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is normally present in the intestines but does not have access to the urinary tract. Bacterial molecules (virulence factors) expressed by Escherichia coli (E. coli) help infect the urinary system. It enters the urethra through stools and finally reaches the urinary bladder infecting it.

2. Constipation - It is a condition in which bowel movement becomes difficult. As a result, the stools become hard and remain retained in the rectum. These stools exert pressure on the bladder and hinder urine flow, resulting in urinary tract infections.

3. Vesicoureteral Reflux - Vesicoureteral reflux is when urine flows back to the bladder rather than flowing outside the body. It is commonly seen in children and infants and increases the risk of urinary tract infection because the urine remains within the body.

4. Urinary Retention - There are common reasons for urinary retention or restricted urine flow in children, including kidney stones, tumors, and ureteral strictures. If the urine does not flow through the body, it becomes a potential source of bacterial infection.

5. Abnormal Bladder Habits - If the patient has the habit of holding urine, does not empty the bladder, and urinates on the bed (bed-wetting), it creates a negative impact and reduces the urinary system’s ability to fight infections.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Cystitis?

Urinary cystitis or bladder infection is commonly seen in females because they have a shorter urethra than males. The signs and symptoms of urinary cystitis are listed below:

• Fever.

• Abdominal pain.

• Weakness.

• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are commonly seen.

• The urine flow is restricted so the patient can pass a few drops of urine each time.

• Pain and burning sensation while urinating are commonly seen.

• Urinary incontinence or urine leakage might be seen in some patients.

• The urine appears cloudy and smells bad.

What Are Some of the Nonantibiotic Treatments Available for Urinary Cystitis?

People suffering from urinary cystitis remain in a dilemma regarding nonantibiotic treatments because they feel these methods are ineffective. The nonantibiotic treatments used for urinary cystitis are listed below:

• Vaccines: Several vaccines have been constantly studied to prevent urinary tract infections and protect the host by stimulating the immune response. An ideal vaccine targets the colonizing bacteria and stimulates the production of antibiotics. Currently, four vaccines are under study, but not much information is available about their efficacy.

• Small Compounds: The effects of small compounds, mainly pilicides, are being studied. It is because researchers have discovered that pilicides prevent the formation of urinary enzymes. They also work against urease, breaking urea and forming several urinary bacteria.

• Nutraceuticals: As the name suggests, nutraceuticals consist of food or food products that provide medical benefits and nutritional values. The nutraceuticals used against urinary tract infections are listed below:

  • Cranberry Juice - Cranberry is the most common fruit in North America. Cranberry juice is one of the most effective methods against urinary tract infections. It is also used against infections and to speed wound recovery. Cranberry juice has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties because it contains antioxidants. To prevent urinary tract infections, a person must drink 400 milliliters of cranberry juice daily.

  • Vitamin C - It is an antioxidant that improves the working of the immune system. Vitamin C reacts with nitrates in the urine to form nitrogen oxide and lowers the pH (potential of hydrogen) of urine, making it difficult for the bacteria to survive. Studies have reported that females consuming 75 milligrams and males consuming 90 milligrams of vitamin C daily stay away from urinary tract infections.

  • Hyaluronic Acid - The urinary bladder consists of urothelial cells that produce hyaluronic acid to maintain its capacity to fight infections. Food like almonds, kale, tofu, oranges, and sweet potatoes help to boost hyaluronic acid levels. People suffering from uncomplicated urinary cystitis must consume these foods regularly.

• Chinese Herbal Medicines - It is an ancient art that blends 15 herbal medicines to treat urinary tract infections. Scientists have reported that Chinese medicines have diuretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and immune-enhancing properties, so they are effective against urinary cystitis.

• Probiotics - Probiotics are healthy bacteria that keep the urinary system healthy and free from diseases. Yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are some of the food items that contain probiotics. Probiotics of the lactobacillus group prevent urinary tract infections in the following ways:

  • Probiotics prevent harmful bacteria from entering the urinary tract cells.

  • They produce hydrogen peroxide, which is a strong antibacterial agent.

  • They lower the urine pH to kill the bacteria.

• Stay Hydrated - Drink a sufficient quantity of water daily to prevent urinary cystitis. Water helps to dilute the urine, increases the speed of urine flow, and flushes out the bacteria from the body. On average, an adult must drink six to eight glasses of water daily.

• Healthy Bladder Habits - The patient must have healthy bladder habits, like urinating when the need arises, wiping from front to back after urinating, and not holding the urine for too long; when the urine remains in the body for a prolonged period, the risk of urinary tract infections increases.

• Sexual Hygiene - Sometimes, sexual intercourse might introduce bacteria into the urinary tract. The following tips help to maintain healthy sexual hygiene:

  • Urinate before and after sex.

  • Use a condom or a barrier device during sexual intercourse.

  • Uncircumcised males wash their foreskin before and after intercourse to prevent bacterial accumulation.

  • Make sure the partner knows the current or past history of urinary cystitis.

Is It Safe to Treat Urinary Cystitis Without Antibiotics?

Urinary cystitis or inflammation of the bladder is mainly caused due to a bacterial infection. Antibiotics are the most effective treatments for urinary tract infections because they directly act on the bacterial cell membrane and destroy them. There are two types of urinary tract infections, complicated and uncomplicated. Mostly, uncomplicated infections resolve without antibiotics. On the contrary, antibiotics are the first choice in complicated urinary tract infections. Studies have reported that about 25 to 42 % of uncomplicated urinary tract infections subside independently. Therefore, the patient must maintain a healthy bowel and bladder habits and use home remedies to deal with uncomplicated urinary tract infections. The urinary tract infection turns complicated under the following circumstances:

1. Changes in the urinary tract organs, swelling in the prostate gland, or severe urinary retention.

2. Some bacterial species are resistant to the effects of antibiotics.

3. The patient suffers from immunocompromised disorders like lupus, cardiac diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Conclusion:

Urinary cystitis or urinary bladder infection affects people of all ages, but females are most commonly affected because of their anatomical features. Earlier, it was considered that urinary cystitis could only be treated by antibiotics or surgery, and people used to refrain from adopting home remedies. However, medical science has advanced, and nonantibiotic treatments are available for urinary cystitis. People need to understand that not all urinary tract infections require antibiotics. Only the complicated ones and those that damage the kidneys need drug therapy. Nonantibiotic treatments are effective against urinary cystitis, but the patient must be aware of the options before using these treatment options. Consult a urologist to learn more about the nonantibiotic treatment options.