E.coli Archives - Bladder Help

The Importance of Stomach Acid for (Bladder) Health

ByLayla | On November 01,17 | 24 Comments

The stomach and its acid secretion may seemingly be unrelated to bladder health but as a matter of fact, stomach acid plays an important role in overall health – as a first line of defense for our immune system, in protein digestion and nutrient absorption.

Many may think of stomach acid in relation to heartburn/GERD, which affects up to 27 % of adults [1] and has risen recent years. As a result, antacids are the 7^th most popular personal care product in the US alone, with sales of many million dollars [2].

However, the symptoms for low and high stomach acid are very similar. While high stomach acid can definitely be very irritating, low stomach acid may have more far reaching consequences.

Conditions, Cystitis

Eating Chicken Could Give You Urinary Tract Infections

ByLayla | On June 04,17 | 0 Comment

Most of us are aware of the dangers of food poisoning, especially from raw meat. But what if other infections in the body could also be transmitted via food? Well’ research shows that this is unfortunately often the case [1]. Conventionally raised chicken meat could harbor pathogenic E. Coli, the most prevalent bacteria to cause urinary tract infections.

From the meat, these pathogens could pass over to humans and cause infections.

Conditions, Cystitis

Why a history of UTIs leaves us more prone to future infections

ByLayla | On May 28,17 | 0 Comment

A prior history of urinary tract infections is considered to be a significant risk factor for developing new infections in the future. But why does a history of UTIs leave us more prone to future infections?

New research shows that pathogenic E. Coli can leave an imprint on the bladder lining, making it easier for future infections to take hold.

Conditions, Cystitis

The Vaginal Bacterium That Can Trigger UTIs

ByLayla | On May 07,17 | 8 Comments

Researchers have identified a common vaginal bacterium that may trigger UTIs.

This could explain why recurring episodes of UTIs are often triggered by sexual intercourse.

The bacterium called Gardnerella vaginalis may not only be responsible for triggering UTIs, it may also be a contributor to more serious kidney infections.

Cystitis, Protocols

Natural Antibiotics for the Urinary Tract

ByLayla | On April 30,17 | 6 Comments

Today I am going to look at different natural antibiotics for the urinary tract.

A lot of herbal antimicrobials have a much longer track record of safety compared to modern antibiotic drugs.

They often have less side effects and may exert additional beneficial effects on top of their antimicrobial action, such as reducing inflammation and hindering bacterial adhesion.

Conditions, Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Overactive Bladder

Intracellular Bacteria: The Hidden Cause of Bladder Problems

ByLayla | On April 16,17 | 17 Comments

There is new(ish) evidence emerging that recurrent UTIs, also known as chronic cystitis, are not always caused by a reinfection with a new pathogen but rather can be a relapse of the same pathogen.

It turns out that pathogenic bacteria have the ability to invade the cells of the bladder and live there in a dormant sleep-like state.

This is called an ‘intracellular bacterial community’.

In this state, the bacteria remain undetected by standard urine testing and unaffected by antibiotic treatment. They also remain undetected by our own immune system.

Now and again they can leave the cells, causing a relapse of the urinary tract infection.

Cystitis, Protocols

My 5 Top Tips for Managing UTIs Naturally

ByLayla | On April 09,17 | 0 Comment

If you’re a woman you will probably suffer from a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in your life. In fact, UTIs are the second most common reason for hospital visits!

For years I have suffered from chronic UTIs.

They are very uncomfortable and can make life miserable, ruin holidays and your sex-life.

Luckily I managed to get rid of UTIs for good – a lot of which I credit to following the 5 steps I’m going to share with you below.

Conditions, Cystitis, Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis, Protocols

Probiotics for the Urinary Tract

ByLayla | On February 20,17 | 18 Comments

Probiotics are ‘live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’ [1]. Historically, probiotics have lacked credibility in the orthodox medical community but with recent scientific advances in the field of the human microbiome the therapeutic potential of different probiotic strains has been recognized.

In my last two posts I have looked into the urinary microbiome and how an imbalance of microbes in the bladder can predispose us to bladder conditions such as urinary tract infections, interstitial cystitis, overactive bladder and chronic pelvic pain.

Today I would like to take a look at several probiotic strains that have been studied for bladder- and genital health.

Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis

Biofilm Infections: The True Cause of Bladder Problems?

ByLayla | On October 26,16 | 7 Comments

If you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) or interstitial cystitis you need to know about biofilm infections.

More and more studies have demonstrated that pathogenic bacteria can persist within the bladder tissue and serve as a ‘reservoir’ for recurrent urinary tract infections.

Bacteria and fungi can make so-called biofilms and hide under them. This protects the bacteria from being discovered by our immune system or from being killed by antibiotics. It also makes it harder to discover them in a urine culture.

Cystitis, Protocols

Supplements for Cystitis

ByLayla | On August 19,16 | 0 Comment

There’s several natural supplements for cystitis that could be useful for preventing bladder infections and also for fighting off active infections. 90% of bacterial cystitis are caused by E. coli bacteria. The other 10% are usually caused by other strains. Therefore, appropriate supplements should be chosen for the type of bacteria that is present.