Bladder infections, also known as cystitis or lower urinary tract infections, are very common in women. They are characterised by burning and stinging pains before, during or after urinating, with an urge to pee more frequently than usual. Your urine may be cloudy, darker, and have a strong smell. You may also develop lower abdominal pain or back pain, and feel generally unwell and tired.
Men can also develop cystitis, though much less commonly than women. Cystitis also occurs in children, and may present with increased need to urinate, tiredness, mood changes and fever.
Conventional treatment is with antibiotics, which will resolve the immediate symptoms but will not prevent a recurrence. Self-help measures include drinking plenty of fluids, which can help to flush out the infection. Cranberry juice or cranberry extract (D-Mannose) can in some cases help with the symptoms too.
Homeopathy is an effective solution. The symptoms you are experiencing need to be matched to a specific remedy for you, and in acute cases the right remedy will provide swift relief. If you suffer from frequently recurring bladder infections, or chronic interstitial cystitis (characterised by persistent and intense pelvic pain and frequent need to pee), professional assessment and treatment with an experienced homeopath can often provide relief from the condition and reduce your susceptibility to future infections.
Here are six homeopathic remedies which are often indicated in acute cystitis. The right one for you will be the one which matches your individual experience of the symptoms most closely. However, there are many other possible remedies for cystitis, and if you suffer from recurrent infections it is advisable to consult a homeopath.
Apis has intense stinging and burning in bladder or urethra before, during or after urination, most typically with a swollen sensation in the parts. There is violent and frequent urging, but must strain to pass urine. The abdomen is sensitive to touch. Symptoms are worse for heat, and accompanied by restlessness.
Berberis has cutting or stinging pain in the bladder which extends to the urethra, or radiates to the thighs or back. Pain is typically worse after urination (or when not urinating), and distinctly worse for walking or motion.
Cantharis is used often in the treatment of acute cystitis, but will only work well if the symptoms match. There is very frequent urging, but urine only passes in small amounts, and there may be dribbling or involuntary urination. Intense burning or stabbing pain is felt before, during and after urination, and the severity of the pain can make her frantic. There may be blood in the urine.
Pulsatilla has smarting and burning pain in the bladder(though less intense than in Cantharis or Apis, for example). The pain is typically worse during or at the end of urination, or when trying to hold on. It is also characteristically worse for lying down, especially on the back.
Sarsparilla has severe burning pain in the bladder or urethra, most commonly after urination, or at the close. There may be red sediment, and it may only be possible to urinate on standing.
Staphysagria is the main remedy for cystitis which is triggered by or associated with sexual intercourse. Pain is burning, with frequent urging to pee, and the pain is most typically during or after urination.