Kidney & Bladder Health

Common kidney and bladder concerns include:  cystitis, kidney stones, kidney infections and urinary incontinence.


kidney--bladder-pic.jpgYour urinary tract system, lungs, skin, and intestines all work towards eliminating waste from your body. They each work continuously to ensure that your body has enough water and that your internal chemicals remain balanced. Your urinary system eliminates waste through urine, your lungs through breathing, your skin through sweat and your intestines through digestion and bowel movements. Without these elimination systems your body would develop fatal infections and toxic overload.

What Causes Problems in the Urinary Tract System?

Good health relies on your urinary system to remain working in peak condition. Unfortunately this is not always the case. Like every other system of your body, your urinary tract is subject to disease. Certain conditions such as childbirth, menopause, diabetes, antibiotic and diuretic medications may put you at greater risk of urinary tract infections or incontinence. One of the greatest risk factors however, is simple aging. As you age, your kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder often become less effective. This weakness may mean urine sits in your bladder longer and can result in urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are one of the most common problems associated with kidney and bladder function. Approximately 50% of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime, with many women having several infections throughout life.

When you have a UTI, the bladder and the lining of the urethra become red and inflamed. Common symptoms related to UTIs may include:

  • a burning sensation when you pass urine
  • frequent urination
  • an urgency to pass urine
  • 'leaking' urine
  • feeling an urge to urinate, but only passing a few drops
  • foul smelling urine
  • urine that is cloudy, bloody or dark
  • a high temperature
  • lower back pain

Natural Remedies Can Help

Fortunately there are many natural remedies that can help support kidney and bladder function including: potassium, magnesium, uva ursi, bilberry, buchu, corn silk, astragalis, juniper, horsetail, marshmallow root, parsley, celery, quercetin, vitamin B6, vitamin A, folic acid, cranberry, probiotics and various homeopathic remedies.

If you are suffering from a urinary tract infection there are also some simple diet suggestions you can follow:

Avoid:

  • refined sugar
  • yeast, baked breads
  • red meats
  • large, heavy meals
  • acid forming foods
  • tea, coffee and alcohol
  • salty and fatty foods

Include:

  • celery, parsley and watermelon as natural diuretics
  • diluted, freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices
  • vegetable broth
  • herbal teas
  • plenty of fresh, filtered water to flush away bacteria

If you suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections your naturopath can recommend natural ways to support your kidney and bladder function and put you on the path to better health.