Urethitis is the scientific name for the inflammation of the urethra, and the urethra is the canal that starts from the bladder through which the urine passes. In men, this canal is intended for the passage of semen, too. This condition can be followed by severe pain, especially if triggered by the bacteria that affects the urethra and the bladder, and in that case, this urinary tract disorder is called non-gonococcal urethritis.
The inflammation happens when a bacteria comes into the bladder through the urethra. When it settles into the bladder, the swelling of its membranes is, in fact, the way of defending itself from unwanted microorganisms. However, the consequence of swelling is usually the blockage of the urethra, and at that stage, the affected person cannot dispose of the accumulated urine.
Because of that, a quick medical intervention is required, and it is usually the one of putting the catheter into the urethra to empty the bladder as soon as possible.
Another complication is also a quick spreading of the infection over the associated organs. If there is a case of a chronic infection, it can gradually damage the bladder membrane cells, thus leading to a malignant formation.
Risk Factors
The urethra in the male bodies is significantly longer than the one in the female bodies, so the chances of getting this infection are lower in the male population.
It is also important to emphasize that this condition could be transmitted to the partner during sexual intercourse. So, besides that, the other, most common factors of risk are: eating a lot of sweets and sugar (because sugar provokes the bladder to make more acids, which is very suitable for the settlement of the bacteria), poor intake of water (because there’s not enough irrigation of the bladder) and some prolonged treatment with antibiotics (because this treatment will remove all the bacteria that naturally inhabit the bladder, which will allow the harmful bacteria to proliferate).
As far as the last factor of risk is concerned, one must take two tablets of acidophilus after 120 minutes from the last intake of an antibiotic.
Urethritis Home Treatment
But, fortunately, some remedies are natural and do not involve those side effects. For example, the capsules of Elm Bark are very beneficial for any inflammation of the membranes. The cranberry extract can be also found in the form of capsules (in the first week one should take six capsules daily), and since the cranberry is a very good remedy, the juice from it can be used in the treatment but only if not containing sugar.
The other way to deal with the bacteria naturally is by consuming the colloidal silver.
Of course, the overall immune system should be encouraged and, for that purpose, one should increase the intake of the vitamin C and he or she should take around 2000 milligrams of it per day.
And, in the end, it should be mentioned that the affected person should stay away from sexual contact and from sugar during the recovery period.
- The chemical compounds presented in herbal medicines evolved to protect the plant from pathogenic microorganisms and therefore could prevent or treat infections in animals. Many of these compounds are renally excreted so that they are specifically useful as urinary antiseptic agents. Two major mechanisms are involved in the antimicrobial properties of these compounds. Some of them directly kill microbes and some of them interfere with microbial adhesion to epithelial cells.
- Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry) is a plant species of the genus Arctostaphylos. The leaves of this plant have been traditionally used because of their diuretic properties. The plant has been used for the treatment of infectious diseases, especially for UTIs. The herb is approved in Germany for the treatment of bladder infections and effective against E. coli in the bladder.
- Juniperus communis (juniper), which belongs to the Cupressaceae family, and other closely related species including Juniperus monosperma (Engelm) Sarg and Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) show remarkable antimicrobial activities.
- Many researchers have suggested that cranberry is active against UTIs. The plant belongs to Ericaceae family and can be potentially active against E. coli, the leading causes of bacteria-mediated UTIs, by reduction of bacterial attaching to the walls of the bladder, and then, the bacteria are more likely to be washed out during urination.
- The essential oil of Salvia officinalis showed inhibitory activities against clinically isolated uropathogens. Barosma betulina has been used traditionally for the treatment of various diseases such as UTI, catarrhal cystitis, and urethritis. The in vitro studies showed its antimicrobial effects against uropathogens. Other herbs that have been used for the treatment of UTIs but are not yet adequately studied include Mentha piperita, Allium sativum, Terminalia chebula, Taraxacum officinalis, and Zingiber officinale.
Your thoughts on this
Loading...