Friday, March 12, 2010

Bladder Infection

Bladder infections, also called "cystitis," are very common in females because the opening from the outside of the body to inside the bladder is very short. This makes it easier for bacteria (usually the healthy E. coli which come from our rectum/stool) to get into the bladder. While most bacterial infections simply get washed out each time you urinate, the E. coli have little "Velcro-like sticky pads" on them that allow them to stick to the bladder wall — so they don't wash out.

Although bladder infections can occur without symptoms, more often they trigger an intense urge to urinate (urgency), urinating frequently (even when there is little urine), and burning on urination (called dysuria). Blood visible in the urine is less common, and warrants a trip to the doctor.

Before beginning antibiotics, it is good to have the doctor get a urine sample to do a culture to test for bacteria. Often in women with recurrent bladder symptoms (see Interstitial Cystitis) there is no infection, and the antibiotics simply make the problem worse in the long run.

In men, because the penis makes it a long trip for bacteria, bladder infections are uncommon unless there is a blockage. This usually occurs from prostate problems in men over 60 or from kidney stones in younger men. In a young man with urinary burning, prostatitis is more likely than a bladder infection. If you wake with even a drop of discharge (before you urinate) on the tip of your penis, you also need to check for sexually transmitted infections (it may not be, but have it checked). If you have the symptoms of urinary urgency and burning and the doctor can't figure out what it is, see Pelvic Pain, Males.

TREATMENTS:

Consider seeing your doctor for a urine culture immediately. If you have blood visible in the urine, a fever, or back pain with the infection, you must see the doctor immediately. In addition, here are natural treatments you can do for bladder infections (if the symptoms are not resolving by 24 hours into treatment, see your practitioner):

General Diet Advice

Drink water

Drink plenty of water to wash out the infection.

Recommended Supplements

D-Mannose

Take the supplement D-Mannose. If prone to bladder problems, this is a good supplement to keep in your medicine cabinet. It is a healthy sugar which is excreted in the urine. It coats the "Velcro-like sticky fingers" of the E. coli bacteria so that they can't stick to the bladder. Then the bacteria wash right out when you urinate! The dose is 1 teaspoon each 3 hours while awake till the infection is gone (use 1/2 dose in children 5 years old and younger and it is OK in pregnancy and diabetics). To prevent recurrent bladder infections, take 1/2-1 teaspoon 2x day (especially after sex). Higher dosing can be used if needed and it can safely be used long term. It has no effect on healthy bacteria, and therefore has none of the toxicity of antibiotics.

Vitamin C

Add vitamin C 500 mg 2-6x during the day.

Treating Recurrent Infections

Verify the bacterial infection

Check repeat urine cultures to confirm the symptoms are actually from a bacterial infection.

Bathroom habits

The bacteria come from the anal area, so when you wipe after a bowel movement, wipe in a direction toward your back and away from the bladder. Otherwise, you're offering the bacteria a free ride to your bladder.

more info at http://Endfatigue.com


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Baldness

Hair loss can be genetic (e.g., male pattern baldness) or reflect medical problems which are treatable. The latter include:

Treatable Causes

Low iron

If the hair loss is diffuse, think low iron(even if tests are "normal") and other nutritional deficiencies.

Stress or infection

Hair loss and thinning can be seen 6-9 months after any severe stress or infection (called "Telogen Effluvium"). Hair grows back 3-9 months after stress resolves.

Hormonal imbalance

Even if tests are "normal," low thyroid can result in hair loss.

If the hair loss is in the front of the scalp, the cause could be excess testosterone (in men) or too low an estrogen (in women) — see the online article Bioidentical Estrogen at the reference link below.

Autoimmune dysfunction

If spotty bald patches, see a dermatologist (the cause is usually autoimmune related — e.g., alopecia areata).

More Information Online

Articles at EndFatigue.com

Bioidentical Estrogen (Safety and Effectiveness of Bio-Identical Hormones)


TREATMENTS:

Recommended Supplements

These natural supports can give marked benefit over time in helping grow thick and healthy hair.

Multi-nutrient powder

Optimize overall nutritional support with a good multi-nutrient powder.

Iron

Take an iron supplement until your ferritin blood test is over 100 ng/ml.

Biotin

Biotin can help strong hair or nails (available in good multi-nutrient powders) at about 200 mcg. Can take an additional 1,000-2,000 mcg a day to help hair and skin health.

Saw palmetto

In men, If hair loss is in the front of the scalp, there may be excess conversion of testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). If blood tests confirm increased DHT, use the herb saw palmetto 160 mg 2x a day to lower DHT levels. It takes 6 weeks to resolve.

Medications

Minoxadil (Rogaine)

Minoxadil (Rogaine) is sometimes modestly effective for localized hair loss (like male pattern baldness) at a high cost — but it is reasonably safe.

Other Therapies & Advice

Optimize thyroid function

Optimize thyroid function (seehypothyroidism) and DHEA-s hormone levels. A holistic physician can help with this.

Hair transplants

Hair plug transplants for localized loss are also reasonable.


Popular Posts