Bladder Infection Cure Herbs

Dr. Gott: Prostate issues make for unhappy spouse

Q My husband has been having a problem for at least a year with having to get up several times at night. Then he had a burning sensation when he went to the bathroom.

He started taking a product called Super Beta Prostate. He went to a urologist, who gave him antibiotics and said he was retaining a day's urine in his bladder.

Is there anything he can do, take or eat to help with the retention? The urologist said he could wear a catheter, but my husband is 83 years old and will not do this.

A My guess is that your husband suffers from prostatitis, the swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland. This walnut-sized gland is located directly below the bladder in men.

Symptoms include difficulties with urination, a frequent urge to urinate, dribbling, pain in the groin/pelvis/genital area and flu-like symptoms. The most common cause for prostatitis is a bacterial infection that can generally be treated with antibiotics.

Your husband's condition may be caused by bacteria, stress, trauma to the pelvis, insufficient fluid intake or an immune or nervous system disorder.

Diagnosis might begin with a digital rectal exam so a physician can determine if the gland is enlarged or inflamed, blood and urine testing, cystoscopy or urodynamic testing.

If a cystoscopy is performed, a urologist then inserts a camera into the bladder to rule out other possible causes for symptoms.

Urodynamic tests can determine how easily a man can empty his bladder when he feels the urge to relieve himself and allow his urologist to make an appropriate decision regarding the next step.

Treatment might include an antibiotic to fight any bacterial infection, over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen, or through the assistance of a group of drugs known as alpha blockers that should reduce his symptoms.

Moving forward on the home front, he might soak in a bath with about 2 inches of warm water, sit on a pillow to lessen any pressure placed on the prostate, try acupuncture, or eliminate excessive alcohol and spicy foods.

If need be, have him request a second opinion through another urologist who might have a different point of view.

The Super Beta Prostate to which you refer is an herbal remedy for the treatment of an enlarged prostate. The key ingredient in this remedy is beta-sitosterol, a white plant sterol found in almost all plants, rice bran, wheat germ, soybeans and corn oils.

Five Natural Remedies For Pets That Relieve Cat Urinary Problems

Ever wondered if there’s something you can do at home to prevent or treat cat urinary problems?  Here’s a list of five natural remedies for cat bladder infection, along with how to choose the best natural remedies for pets.

Feed Your Cat A High-Quality Canned Food

But, you say, this isn’t a natural remedy.  Actually it is.  Feeding your cat the best diet possible is the easiest natural way to keep him healthy and prevent future problems due to poor nutrition. 

Did you know that cats that eat only dry food are chronically dehydrated?  Dry food has an extremely low moisture level, compared to canned food.  Cats are meant to get most of their water from their food, so many of them don’t drink enough water, which can lead to cat urinary problems. 

Fresh, Clean, Water Is A Must

Lots of clean, fresh water is another natural remedy that promotes bladder health in your cat.  Your tap water may taste funny to your cat, so give him filtered water to make it more appealing to him.  If your cat still won’t drink enough, you can add a little extra water to his canned food to increase his moisture intake.

Recommended Supplements

If your cat is suffering from a feline bladder infection, try giving him between 250 and 500 milligrams of vitamin C every day.  Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory that helps to relieve the pain of a cat bladder infection.  It helps an irritated, inflamed bladder to heal itself, too.

Vitamin C can cause diarrhea if the dosage is too high, so start on the low side and work up to determine the best size dose for your kitty.

Cranberry is an old natural remedy that prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls.  Avoid the super-sweet cranberry juice at the grocery store, and give your cat cranberry capsules instead.

Herbal Pet Remedies

Many of these same herbs that people have been using for centuries can be used on pets, too.  The best-known herbal pet remedies for feline urinary tract infections are uva ursi and Oregon grape holly.

Uva ursi is a strong diuretic that kills bacteria in the bladder, and also supports urinary system health. 

Oregon grape holly contains berberine, a natural antibiotic that’s effective against strep and staph bacteria.  It also relieves inflammation in the bladder.

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