Best Herbs For Overactive Bladder

Key Points About Urinary Tract Infections

• Urinary tract infections are a common health problem that affects millions of people each year. These infections can affect any part of the urinary tract.
• Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, which normally live in the colon.
• The most common symptoms of UTIs include changes in urination such as frequency, pain, or burning urine looks dark, cloudy, or red and smells bad back or side pain nausea/vomiting and fever.
• Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs. Other treatments may include pain relievers, and drinking plenty of water to help wash bacteria out of the urinary tract.
• Other things that can be done may help reduce the likelihood of developing UTIs.

Home Cooked Meals Are Best

Processed foods are loaded with preservatives, benzyl alcohol, artificial flavors, and MSG that irritate the bladder and may trigger overactive bladder symptoms. Its better to cook your meals from fresh food that you prepare yourself at home. Plan your meals around fresh vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Lakewood Pure Cranberry Juice

If youre looking for something a little more convenient, the Lakewood Pure Cranberry Juice is rated the best ready-to-drink cranberry juice on the market. This fresh pressed juice is extracted almost immediately after the farm-fresh cranberries are harvested, which helps retain the benefits of the cranberries.

The juice is packed with antioxidants and vitamins, as well as micronutrients that help support immune function. All of this, of course, is topped off by the juices ability to encourage healthy urination to clear out bacteria and treat UTI.

The only reason why this juice didnt make first place is because it isnt free from some preservatives and artificial ingredients. Because the juice is made ready-to-drink, manufacturers found it necessary to mix in some preservatives and added ingredients to prolong shelf life and improve taste.

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Combinational Herbal Products For Uti

Since effective herbal remedies for UTI need to combine all important properties, you can buy a ready-made herbal blend.

There are several herbal blends specifically for UTIs that you may find at an herbal or a health store. Check their ingredient list and know that not every herb works for everybody, so you may have to test out a few to get the results you want.

Make Regular And Controlled Visits

Double void is another approach to dealing with OAB. This technique involves relieving yourself and then, a few minutes later, going again. This deliberate approach to bathroom visits helps you to make sure that after passing urine a second time, your bladder is mostly or completely empty. The main benefit of this approach is that you can avoid having to return to the bathroom just a few minutes after your initial visit, which is both a nuisance and sometimes embarassing.

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Bearberry Teafor Bladder Issues And Infection

A study of 57 women with recurrent UTIs, bearberry , effectively suppressed further infection. Bearberry acts as an antibacterial, urinary antiseptic, astringent, and healer to the mucous membranes of the urinary tract. It is also a diuretic. It is indicated for cystitis , urethritis , and acidic urine through its astringent and antiseptic effects. It is usually administered in the form of an infusion , which has a soothing and marked diuretic action. Of great value in diseases of the kidney and bladder. It also strengthens the urinary passages. During its excretion, Arbutin exercises an antiseptic effect on the urinary mucous membrane. Bearberry leaves are, therefore, used in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract.

What To Expect From Your Doctor

In terms of an assessment, your nurse or doctor will ask you about your general health and in particular, about your OAB problem. You may be examined orally and internally, and you might be asked to give a urine sample to see if you have any obvious problems.

As part of your treatment programme, you may be asked to keep a bladder diary for roughly 3 days, which typically involves making a record of the time of each time you pass urine and how much urine was passed.

You may also be asked to take a flow test, and in some cases a post-flow ultrasound test. This involves using a special machine which checks whether you completely empty your bladder and also measures how strong your flow is.

Here is a short list of possible questions your doctor may ask and the tests they may ask you to complete:

• An overview of your medical history.
• A physical examination, which could include a rectal exam and a pelvic exam in women.

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Medical Treatments For An Overactive Bladder

Depending on how successful they were and the strength of your condition, your doctor may recommend that you continue with the above treatments and return for another check-up after a specific period of time.

However, if they decide, usually in consultation with the patient, that medical treatment may be beneficial or necessary, they may choose to prescribe one or multiple medical treatments, some of which are detailed below.

What Foods And Drinks To Avoid For An Overactive Bladder

If you are dealing with an overactive bladder, avoid these foods :

• Carbonated beverages

You may not have to eliminate all the above foods from your diet. Find out which of the above can be tolerated in small amounts by your body and make changes to your diet accordingly.

Listed below are some helpful tips to manage an overactive bladder and prevent recurrence of symptoms.

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Surgical Treatment For Overactive Bladder

Surgery may recommended for severe cases. The two most-commonly used procedures are:

• increases bladder size by removing a section of the bowel and adding it to the bladder. Increased bladder size allows someone to store more urine, reducing the urge to urinate. Possible complications include infection, blood clots, bowel obstruction, urinary fistula, and an increased risk of bladder tumors .
• Sacral Nerve Stimulation is a newer surgical technique that involves placing a small electrical device in the lower back. The device sends electrical impulses to the sacral nerve, which improves control of the muscles in the bladder and pelvic floor.

The Use Of Medicinal Plants

The use of medicinal plants for incontinence can sound questionable and unlikely. However phototherapy is a medical practice that focuses on the impact of plants on various incontinence symptoms.

Herbs can be bought by a qualified herbalist or you can discuss with a natural health practitioner.

Interestingly, researchers have found certain plants to have the following benefits:

• Improving inflammation
• Diminishing the effects of menopause
• Avoiding constipation

Here are a few interesting ones that deserve mentioning:

• Raspberry leaf. This is an interesting herb, which has been proven to strengthen the uterine and pelvic muscles. It can also help with pelvic organ prolapse

• St. John’s Wort. Known to help depression, these can help incontinence caused by nerves problems.
• Horsechestnut. The bark from this tree is effective for inflammation of the prostate. It is often used for overflow or urge incontinence.
• Carob Tree. Interestingly, seeds of this tree are known to prevent constipation. This is specially helpful in preventing faecal compaction and overflow incontinence.
• Yarrow. This is a bitter herb that can tone the bladder and uterus. It is also a urinary antiseptic, clearing congestion and provides good circulation to the pelvic area.

on our forum.

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Can Drinking Alcohol Cause A Uti

You may know that beer, wine, and liquor can irritate your stomach if youve got reflux or an ulcer, and alcohol can irritate the bladder, too, particularly if you have a bladder infection. Though you want to get plenty of fluids when youve got a UTI, its important to avoid alcohol. So, take a hiatus from cocktails at least while youre trying to flush out the bacteria and recover from a urinary tract infection.

Herbs For An Overactive Bladder

by Discreetlyfit | Mar 27, 2019 | Uncategorized

Hello,

Have you ever wondered if there are any herbs that can help an overactive bladder? Because I have! So, to satisfy my curiosity, I went straight to a reliable source and asked Naturopath and Herbalist Norelle Hentschel. I hope you find her insights as enlightening as I do.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them below.

Warm Regards

Has your bladder become way too needy?

Hello, I need to go pee and I need to go now!

Do you scope out where all the toilets are when you go somewhere and carry a backup pair of undies in your handbag?

You are not alone.

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What Foods And Drinks To Avoid

While you may want to drink less liquid so you dont have to urinate as often, you should still make sure you stay hydrated. More concentrated urine, usually darker in color, can irritate your bladder and cause more frequent urination.

Other foods and drinks can contribute to OAB symptoms, including:

• tomato-based foods

You can test which drinks or foods irritate your bladder by eliminating them from your diet. Then reincorporate them one by one every two to three days at a time. Permanently eliminate the particular food or drink that worsens your symptoms.

Foods That Are Great For Bladder Health

Your bladder is an important part of the urinary tract system. Its an essential pear-shaped organ made out of expandable components that holds on to urine until its expelled from your body. The bladder itself is quite impressive and is able to stretch from about two inches to over six inches long, depending on the amount of liquid its holding.1 In a typical person, your bladder will reach capacity when it fills up with about 16-24 ounces of urine, but most people start to feel the urge to urinate when it is only 25% full.1 At this point, your body starts to send nerve signals to the brain indicating that its time to find a restroom. When you proceed to use the bathroom, there is a mixture of voluntary and involuntary muscles working to lead urine from the bladder, through the urethra, and out of the body.

Your bladder works hand-in-hand with your kidneys to filter fluid and wastes from the bloodstream. They are the primary parts of the urinary tract system. The . When your bladder isnt functioning properly, it can lead to a number of problems.

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Precautions And Proper Diagnosis

The main symptoms of OAB can also occur in other health conditions like bladder cancer, urinary tract infection and enlarged prostate. Seeing blood in your urine is not a symptom of OAB.

A sudden and frequent need to urinate is common in both OAB and a UTI. How can you tell the difference between these two urinary health issues? Unlike OAB, a UTI also comes with other symptoms such as discomfort while urinating. In addition, OAB symptoms are continuous while UTI symptoms are sudden and may also include a fever.

Overflow incontinence is characterized by the involuntary release of urine from an overfull urinary bladder, often in the absence of any urge to urinate. This condition is not associated with OAB. It typically occurs in people who have a blockage of the bladder outlet, which can occur with benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer or a narrowing of the urethra. Overflow incontinence can also occur when the muscle responsible for removing urine from the bladder is too weak to empty the bladder in a normal way.

It is very important to see a doctor to ensure a proper diagnosis if you experience any changes in your urine and/or urination habits.

Botox For An Overactive Bladder

Although not commonly used, Botox is a handy muscle relaxer for a variety of conditions, including an overactive bladder. The compound is injected right into the bladder, and patients can experience fewer uncomfortable contractions and increased bladder capacity for up to a year after the injection has taken place.

However, Botox isnt without its dangers. Some patients find that after the procedure they retain urine too much, and experience pain and complications . For these reasons, Botox for overactive bladder treatment is only considered for certain people.

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Buchu And Your Bladder

A flowering plant native to the mountainous areas of South Africa, buchu has a long history of traditional use. Legend has it that buchu helps heal everything from fevers to coughs to urinary tract infections.

Buchu tea has no caffeine, so swapping your morning coffee or black tea for buchu will cut your caffeine consumption. That may be helpful in easing OAB symptoms, but dont expect a cure-all. No studies measure buchus effect on OAB.

Administer Fresh Blueberries Or Cranberries

Usually, cranberries are often given to humans for assistance with a UTI, and they can also work well for your dog.

The blueberries and cranberries will reduce the PH of your dogs bladder, which prevents the bacteria from attaching to the urethra and bladder walls.

Plus, blueberries and cranberries will better the functionality of your dogs gastrointestinal tract.

Required Ingredients:

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Are Bananas Good For Utis

The American Urological Association calls bananas a bladder-friendly food. Thats because bananas arent likely to irritate the bladder in most people. Other bladder-friendly fruits and veggies include: pears, green beans, winter squash, and potatoes. While eating bananas may help to lessen bladder irritation, eating bananas alone wont make a UTI go away.

Oil Of Cloves For Toothache

Clove oil is used for treating a variety of disorders but it is most commonly associated with a toothache. Clove Oil can be applied directly to the gums for a toothache until you can get to the dentist. It has a numbing effect due to the active ingredient eugenol. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA.

• To apply clove oil to your tooth, dilute a few drops of clove oil with about 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
• Apply to a cotton swab and dab on the painful tooth area.
• Bottles of clove oil can usually be found at the pharmacy.

Remember: if you have a toothache, it is important that you see a dentist soon as you may have a cavity, an impacted tooth, or an infection that may need treatment or antibiotics.

Clove oil can also be added to hot steamy water and the vapor inhaled to help clear nasal passages and ease breathing. It may also help reduce phlegm associated with a cough. Chewing a clove bud or gargling diluted clove oil may also help ease an irritated throat.

However, clove oil is not pleasant to taste. It may aso leave you with nausea, burning, diarrhea or trouble breathing. Seek advice from your pediatrician before you use this in small children.

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Acupuncture And Chinese Herbs For The Benefit Of Oab

Traditional Chinese medicine has been treating urinary symptoms such as overactive bladder for more than 2,000 years. Acupuncture and Chinese medicinal herbs potentially offer an alternative to the treatment of not only the symptoms of overactive bladder, but possibly the root cause as well. Rather than looking at the body to find the particular tissue, muscle, or organ that is unhealthy or diseased, Chinese medicine sees the body as a whole and promotes the idea that a symptom can come from an imbalance in the interaction between the tissue, muscle, and organ systems. Once the imbalance is corrected, the root of the problem is improved, and the body can work to heal itself.

In TCM, there are 12 major meridians that correspond to the organ systems. These meridians are lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, pericardium, triple burner, gallbladder, and liver. Keep in mind that while the organ names and some functions are similar, if not the same, in both TCM and Western medicine, an imbalance of the TCM organ does not necessarily translate to a disease in the Western medicine organ.

Overactive bladder has quite a few translations in TCM. The root of these imbalances can stem from the lungs, heart, spleen, bladder, kidneys, or liver and, more often than not, from a combination of two or more of these organ systems.

Medications For Overactive Bladder

Medications for overactive bladder target muscles that control bladder function. These drugs can be used alone or in combination, and include:

• Anticholinergics such as trospium , darifenacin and oxybutynin relax bladder muscles. They are the most commonly prescribed medications for overactive bladder and are well tolerated. Side effects include constipation and dry mouth.
• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as imipramine and doxepin, stop contractions in the smooth muscle of the bladder. Side effects include dizziness, fatigue, changes in vision, nausea, insomnia, and dry mouth.

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Anticholinergic Drugs For Oab

The largest class of drugs used to treat OAB is anticholinergic drugs. They work by blocking a chemical in your body called acetylcholine. This chemical sends a message to your bladder to contract. By blocking this chemical, these drugs reduce the contractions that cause you to release urine. In studies that compared the drugs, all anticholinergics worked in treating OAB.

Anticholinergics are sold under different brand names. Some are also available as generic drugs. These medications include:

All of these drugs except for Oxytrol come as either tablets or capsules that you take by mouth. Oxytrol is available as a skin patch.

The most common side effects of anticholinergic drugs include:

Seniors have the greatest risk of side effects from these drugs. These medications may also cause drowsiness and an increased risk of falls in seniors. Oxybutynin may cause more side effects than the other drugs in this class. However, taking oxybutynin in its extended-release form may reduce some of the side effects. Anticholinergics may also worsen dementia symptoms and should be used with caution in people with this disease.