Cystitis (Recurrent)

Cystitis is a bladder infection that makes you feel as if you want to urinate frequently. Each time you do, however, you feel an excruciating burning sensation. You may also get mild fever symptoms such as headaches, a pain in the abdomen, and a high temperature.

Cystitis is caused by bacteria, but over-enthusiastic love-making can also cause the urethra to become inflamed, which results in these acutely uncomfortable symptoms. Most women experience cystitis at one time or another, but for some it is a constantly recurring complaint that can have a devastating impact on their lives and relationships.

The Orthodox Approach

Your physician will take a urine sample to check for infection, which can be treated with a short course of antibiotics. But patients who suffer constantly recurring symptoms without an infection may be advised to seek alternative treatment.

The Hale Approach

Herbal Medicine

Recurrent Cystitis is a very painful, stressful and unpleasant condition suffered by an ever increasing number of women. Many patients with this condition are seen and successfully treated at The Hale Clinic. Most of these patients have done the rounds of GPs, gynaecologists and urologists and have been given a large amount of antibiotics – even when no bacteria is present in the urine, yet the cystitis remains unresolved. Some patients have even been told by their doctor to take an antibiotic as a preventative measure before having sex. This vicious cycle of ineffective antibiotic therapy must be broken and the body must be strengthened.

Antibiotics should be avoided unless there is a real threat of the infection backing up into the kidneys. You should consult your doctor immediately if your symptoms are accompanied by fever, loin pain, or lower backache – all these can be signs of a kidney infection. The very best way forward is prevention and many of The Hale’s patients, who have had recurrent cystitis, are now firmly in charge of their health and the cystitis has stopped.

The treatment should be undertaken for a minimum of six months. Most women notice a difference early on but the treatment should not be stopped. Remember that it has taken your body many months or even years to reach the condition it is in so it goes without saying that it will take time to recover completely.

Where patients live a long way from London, follow-up consultations by telephone can be arranged after the initial face to face consultations and tests in London. This works well for patients from across the UK and Europe. Treatment costs around £20 per week.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are very effective for the treatment of both the immediate acute symptoms of cystitis and the underlying problems that cause recurring attacks. It is important to treat the fundamental cause of the problem; reliance on antibiotics can create a vicious circle when the object is to reduce and prevent further repeated attacks. Antibiotics used regularly to control outbreaks of cystitis, for instance, can result in an overgrowth of candida in the system, since the antibiotic kills the “good” bacteria in the gut as well as the infection.

Acute attacks can be treated with Staphysagria, Cantharis or Causticum.

Homeopathic treatment starts with a general assessment of the individual’s health and includes advice on what food and drink to avoid. The homeopath will try and find out why you are suffering recurring attacks – whether the problem is anatomical (a short urethra), hormonal or psychological, and will prescribe an appropriate constitutional remedy to build up your body’s resistance in the future.

Acupuncture

In Chinese medicine both cystitis and thrush are commonly diagnosed as a damp heat syndrome. All the lower abdominal organs are prone to damp heat – the heat is the painful, burning urine that is a feature of cystitis and in the inflammation of the genital area that often accompanies thrush. Acupuncture treatment concentrates on the urine and spleen channels and herbal medicine may also be given. Acute symptoms of cystitis and thrush may subside after one treatment, although more will probably be needed, particularly if the condition has been recurring over a long period.