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By Leonard Haimes, M.D.
Hello, my name is Dr. Leonard Haimes. I want to talk to you about something rarely discussed in polite society—bladder control. Even though incontinence isn’t openly talked about, one in 10 adults over the age of 65 experience the uncontrollable urge to urinate, as well as the occasional “accident” from loss of bladder control.
Bladder problems can cause any number of symptoms—from slightly painful to highly embarrassing. And they only seem to get worse with age. After the age of 40, men can experience urinary problems because their prostate begins to grow—and it can push against the bladder. Childbirth, especially repeated deliveries, can distort or traumatize the pelvic floor and urethral anatomy in women. What’s more, levels of estrogen in a woman’s body decrease after menopause, causing significant changes to the urinary tract. These changes play a huge role in urinary stress incontinence. If that wasn’t enough, the older you get, the less mucous you have in the urethra. This can make the urinary tract more susceptible to infection.
Many of my own patients suffer from bladder control issues, along with frequent bladder infections. And they are delighted to learn that they do not need to suffer in silence. The first thing a person with urinary incontinence should look at is their diet. Certain foods can aggravate the bladder. These include alcohol, caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy foods and acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus. If you have bladder issues, eliminating these foods can help soothe the tissues inside the urinary tract.
I have found several herbs and homeopathic remedies that can reduce these uncontrollable urinary urges while toning and strengthening the bladder. The first herb is a well-known urinary tract botanical—especially among those who suffer from frequent urinary tract infections. Cranberry has been used to prevent urinary problems since the mid-1800s because of its antiseptic properties and its ability to make the urine more acidic. Back in the early 1980s, researchers showed that cranberry prevented E. coli—the bacterium responsible for most urinary tract infections (UTIs)—from adhering to the lining of the bladder wall. More recently, a study review conducted at the University of Minnesota confirmed that cranberry juice and extract can help prevent UTIs. The problem I’ve found with most cranberry juices on the market, however, is that they are chocked full of sugar. To truly get the bladder benefits of cranberry, it is best to take a standardized extract in capsule form.
As useful as cranberry is for prevention, an active bladder infection needs a stronger remedy. Arbutin, a compound in the herb uva ursi, is a powerful antiseptic that is activated when it reaches the urinary tract. Once there, it kills bacteria, removes infectious material, reduces inflammation and even strengthens the urinary tract lining. Two studies evaluated the antibacterial power of the urine in people who were taking uva ursi and found activity against most major bacteria that infect the urinary tract.
Buchu is one of my favorite herbs to treat inflammation, as well as kidney and bladder infections. Yet another bladder friendly herb is butcher's broom, which enhances bladder health by increasing circulation and acting as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory. Finally, white oak bark is a powerful astringent that has been used for centuries to treat bladder infections because of its diuretic, antioxidant and antiseptic properties which quickly flush impurities out of the body.
Homeopathic remedies are also often helpful during bladder infections, relieving discomfort and encouraging quick recovery. Symptoms that respond well to homeopathy include a frequent urge to urinate with burning or stinging sensations, and sometimes aching in the bladder area. Here are a few of the homeopathic remedies I frequently turn to treat incontinence:
Arnica Montana: Although normally used to relieve bruising after an injury, arnica has also been used successfully to relieve the involuntary dribbling of urine and enhance the muscular activity of the bladder.
Belladonna: This remedy may be beneficial if the urge to urinate is frequent and intense, and the bladder feels very sensitive. A cramping sensation may be felt in the bladder area and the urine is highly-colored.
Cantharis: Strong urge to urinate with cutting pains that can be felt before, during or after urine passes, may indicate a need for this remedy. Only several drops of urine pass at a time with a scalding sensation. The person may have a constant urge to urinate and feel as if the bladder has not been emptied. Effective when other physical actions such as coughing, laughing, sneezing or even walking result in a bout of incontinence.
Equisetum: Good for dull but distressing pain and a feeling of fullness in the bladder, even after urinating. Also indicated when discomfort is more intense after urinating and improving as the bladder becomes fuller. Tendency to wake several times a night because of an urgent need to urinate.
References:
Guay DR. Cranberry and urinary tract infections. Drugs. 2009;69:775-807.
Head KA. Natural approaches to prevention and treatment of infections of the lower urinary tract. Alternative Medicine Review. 2008;13:227-244.
Ullman D. Essential Homeopathy: What It Is and What It Can Do for You. New World Library. 2002.
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