Inflammation of the bladder and urinary tract is an ailment that quite often happens to adults. It is estimated to affect about 150 million people each year. It occurs much more often in women than in men. Roughly half of all women undergo urinary tract infections at least once in their lifetime. Recurrences of the disease are also very common. Up to 10% of women may be more prone to it and go through it even once a year. Keeping the urinary tract in good condition can protect you from the problem that is urinary tract infection. Medicinal herbs and herbal preparations will help here. Which ones to choose and when to reach for them? What good habits are worth developing in ourselves so that we do not encounter a urinary tract infection?
What herbs support the urinary tract?
The direct cause of urinary tract infections is bacteria in the urine. They most often enter the urinary tract from the outside, through the urethra. From there, they make their way to the bladder and then to higher parts of the urinary tract. Urination flushes the germs from the body to the outside. For this process to be effective, it is necessary to drink plenty of water. Sometimes as much as 2-2.5 liters a day is recommended.
Additional support for the urinary system is certainly provided by herbs with diuretic action. Their action is to increase the amount of urine excreted. This causes toxins to be removed from the body faster. One of the longest-used remedies acting in this way is birch leaves. The inhabitants of northern Europe, America and Asia knew about the beneficial properties of this tree. An infusion of birch leaves was once used as an anti-rheumatic agent. Today we widely use its properties to support the excretory system. The ancient peoples of Southeast Asia also had their own herbal remedy to support the kidneys. This is orthosiphon-a plant that grows in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia, among other places. People living in these parts used an infusion of its leaves as a remedy against fever, rheumatism, gout and kidney problems. It came to Europe relatively late, in the late 19th century. An infusion of orthosiphon leaves first gained popularity as a drink-“Java tea.” Orthosiphon also became an ornamental plant. From its distinctive appearance comes its other common name-“cat’s whiskers.” The stamens of its flowers are extremely long, so in appearance they can resemble the whiskers of a cat. Finally, its effect on the human body was also taken into account. Birch leaf and orthosiphon leaf are found together in the dietary supplement Urosept Fix. It contributes to the proper functioning of the urinary tract. It improves the excretory comfort and functioning of the kidneys, thus increasing the excretion of water and toxins from the body. The recommended serving for consumption is an infusion of one sachet, consumed 2 times a day. Pour 200 ml of boiling water over one sachet and brew under a lid for 5-10 minutes. Do not exceed the recommended portion to be consumed during the day. Urosept Fix is not indicated for pregnant women or children.
Check out the drinking herbs from Herbapol Poznan.
What should you do to protect yourself from a urinary tract infection?
Women are much more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men. For this reason, most of the good ways to avoid urinary tract infections are aimed specifically at women. The main thing is to maintain personal hygiene, especially before and after intimate intercourse. This is when bacteria are most likely to penetrate from the skin into the genital tract and from there into the urethra. Before intercourse, you should urinate and then wash with a disinfectant for intimate hygiene. You can also repeat these steps after intercourse. Absolute cleanliness also applies to the partner.
Ladies during or after menopause are also prone to more frequent infections, as their levels of estrogen, which have a protective effect on the urinary tract, decrease. For them, it will be beneficial to take probiotic preparations to maintain the normal bacterial flora of the reproductive tract.
Bacteria, residing in the terminal part of the gastrointestinal tract, can also be the cause of infection. Sometimes in women, they can be transferred from the anus to the urethra, since they are close to each other. When visiting the restroom, always remember to wipe in the direction from the vagina to the anus, never the other way around. Washing yourself as soon as you get off the toilet can also be a good choice.
Drinking plenty of water is recommended for both men and women. Water flushes the urinary tract and removes bacteria that could be there. A healthy person only needs 1.5 liters a day. When you notice the first symptoms of infection in yourself, it is worth increasing this amount to 2- 2.5 liters. However, it is inadvisable to drink strong tea, coffee, alcohol and acidic juices. These beverages can irritate the bladder and cause more frequent urinary urgency.
How to recognize the symptoms of cystitis?
As a rule, the symptoms of urinary tract infections are quite characteristic and easy to recognize, although they will not be the same in everyone. The most common are pain or burning when urinating, a frequent feeling of urinary urgency (at the same time the amount of urine may be less than usual), pain in the lower abdomen, a feeling of fatigue, a slight fever and an unpleasant urine odor or clouding. If there is any doubt that it is indeed an infection, a urine test will be necessary. It will show whether or not bacteria are present in the urine, and will indicate to the doctor the possibilities of effective therapy.
An herbal medicine that helps treat urinary tract infections is Urosept. This over-the-counter urinary tract drug contains in its composition several herbal extracts with diuretic effect: extracts of birch leaves, parsley root, bean seed, chamomile herb and lingonberry leaves, in addition to sodium citrate and potassium citrate, which regulate the urine reaction. Such a combination of ingredients makes Urosept suitable for urinary tract infections and urinary tract stones.
The recommended dosage is 2 tablets 3 times a day, which should be taken with a glass of water. Urosept is suitable for adults and adolescents over 12. year of age. It is best to take treatment as soon as the first symptoms appear, as unhealed urinary tract inflammation can develop into nephritis, which is more dangerous to your health and more difficult to treat. Symptoms of nephritis include a very high fever, reaching 40°C , severe pain on both sides of the lower back, chills, nausea and vomiting. In such a situation, it is necessary to contact a doctor immediately.
