Alternative treatment options for bladder inflammation

Almost every woman has experienced it at some point: first a pulling sensation in the lower abdomen, then pain when going to the toilet. Inflammation of the urinary tract is one of the most common infectious diseases. Here you can find out which remedies help best with acute inflammation and how you can prevent it.

What is cystitis?

Current cystitis is a urinary tract infection and is one of the most common bacterial infectious diseases. Around 50 per cent of all women suffer from cystitis at least once in their lives. Symptoms can include: frequent urge to urinate, pain and burning when urinating, small amounts of urine, abdominal pain, cloudy urine and blood in the urine.

How does cystitis develop?

The cause is usually the transmission of pathogens from the anus into the urethra, where they multiply and eventually ascend into the bladder. The pathogens that trigger an infection are usually the intestinal bacteria Escherichia coli and enterococci. However, pathogens that are transmitted due to poor hygiene or through sexual contact can also be triggers.

Those who drink plenty of water and visit the toilet frequently usually prevent bacteria from settling and multiplying in the urethra.

However, there are some risk factors: Short urethras can increase the risk of bacteria migrating into the bladder. Those who have a weakened immune system, for example due to changes in the immune system or a general susceptibility to infections, are also more likely to be affected.

What are the symptoms of cystitis?

The infection is characterised by pain or a burning sensation when going to the toilet, a frequent urge to urinate and persistent pain in the abdomen. In medical terms, a distinction is made between uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections usually only affect women. They occur suddenly and without pre-existing conditions; the symptoms only affect the bladder and they usually heal relatively quickly without treatment. In order to shorten the duration, painkillers with the active ingredient ibuprofen are often used for mild bladder infections; for more severe persistent pain, doctors prescribe an antibiotic for daily treatment.

A complicated urinary tract infection is always referred to when the causes are functional disorders of the urinary tract, anatomical features and/or relevant concomitant diseases. Renal pelvic inflammation, urinary tract infections in men, children and pregnant women are considered complicated illnesses. In these cases, an antibiotic is always prescribed.

Which home remedies help with cystitis?

There are various home remedies that effectively support healing. Probably the most important thing is to drink plenty of fluids and urinate as often as possible to flush out the bacteria. At least two litres of water a day is recommended. As an alternative to water, kidney and bladder teas that have a diuretic effect are also effective, including nettle tea, birch leaf tea, juniper tea, etc.

Many sufferers also rely on the effects of cranberry juice to prevent the infection from spreading. Many people who are frequently affected by bladder infections also drink cranberry juice as a preventative measure. The fruit actually contains a high level of proanthocyanidins. These secondary plant substances not only have an antioxidant effect, but also prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. Various studies have confirmed this effect [1,2].

A balanced diet with plenty of vitamins, especially vitamin D, also strengthens the immune system. In addition, especially during a urinary tract infection, it is important to ensure that the abdomen and feet are always kept warm. This is because warmth relaxes the cramping muscles and thus helps to relieve the pain.

How can you prevent bladder inflammation?

In most cases, bladder inflammation can be prevented with proper intimate hygiene. It is important to wipe backwards after a bowel movement so that no bacteria are transported towards the entrance to the urethra. You should also go to the toilet after sexual intercourse to flush out any germs. Another risk of bladder infections is hypothermia, which should therefore be avoided at all costs. This means: get out of wet clothes quickly, keep your feet warm and always dress warmly enough.

However, there are people who are simply more susceptible and suffer from urinary tract infections several times a year. They should talk to their doctor about possible causes. In these cases, there are various ways to prevent a urinary tract infection, for example by taking antibiotics prophylactically, immunostimulants (usually in the form of powder to stir into drinks), germ-killing herbal remedies or dietary supplements containing D-mannose powder, a sugar that can bind bacteria in the bladder. Various studies have confirmed this effect [3,4].

What is D-mannose?

Like glucose, D-mannose belongs to the group of simple sugars (monosccharides). It is found in the cell walls of some fruits as well as in brown algae, guar gum, maize, birch and carob as a structural element of polysaccharides (mannans). D-mannose is also contained in foods such as juices and yoghurts, which are thickened with the help of plant-based polysaccharides known as mannans, as D-mannose is a building block of mannans.

D-mannose is also known as "free" mannose, as it occurs naturally, as there is also the "unnatural" L-mannose, which is only produced synthetically. As L-mannose plays a subordinate role, the terms D-mannose and mannose are usually used synonymously.

How does D-mannose work in the body?

D-mannose is not metabolised by the body and is excreted in the urine. D-mannose has an osmotic effect in the bladder, which is why the substance is said to bind to bacteria and thus prevent the formation of bacterial films in the bladder [5]. Because of this effect or side effect, dietary supplements with D-mannose powder are often used to treat bladder inflammation.

When does D-mannose help to improve bladder inflammation?

The effectiveness of D-mannose powder in the treatment of bladder inflammation varies from person to person and of course also depends on the severity of the inflammation. In the case of uncomplicated cystitis, however, the symptoms weaken after three days and should be cured after a week.

Some people suffer from recurring cystitis several times a year. D-Mannose can also be taken daily as a preventative measure, even over several weeks or months, to prevent bacteria from settling in the bladder in the first place. Two studies have even come to the conclusion that the sugar could be just as effective as antibiotics in preventing bladder infections [3,6].

What should be considered when taking D-Mannose powder for bladder infections?

If you take dietary supplements with D-Mannose powder, you should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the dosage of the powder. It is important to drink enough water throughout the day so that enough urine is produced to flush out the D-Mannose. The powder or capsule with powder is best taken in the evening before going to bed as you go to the toilet less often at night. This keeps the D-Mannose powder in the bladder for longer, allowing it to bind more bacteria and increasing its effectiveness.

What side effects can D-Mannose have?

The human body produces mannose itself in small doses, so the simple sugar is known to the body and is generally well tolerated; no serious side effects are known. However, an overdose of D-mannose can result in side effects such as nausea, flatulence or diarrhoea, even if these rarely occur and D-mannose is generally well tolerated. Interactions with antibiotics are not known [7]. However, diabetics should discuss the use of D-Mannose powder with their doctor.

Sources:
[1] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0256992
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260115840_Cranberry_and_Recurrent_Cystitis_More_than_Marketing
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7395894/
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27424995/
[5] https://khealth.com/learn/urinary-tract-infection/d-mannose-uti-treatment/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35326777/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7024335/

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