In the United States, urinary tract infections, including bladder discomfort and cystitis, account for approximately 4 million visits a year to the doctor's office. Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder and the urethra that causes an increased need, or persistent feeling of needing, to urinate. Cystitis can sometimes be painful. Bladder complaints are more common among women than men. For pain relief and for relief from frequent urges, homeopathic remedies are recommended by complementary and alternative medicine practitioners. Cystitis that does not respond quickly to these remedies may be caused by bacteria that need to be diagnosed by a medical doctor who can prescribe the proper antibiotic.
Staphysagria
Staphysagria is a homeopathic remedy made from the seeds of the delphinium plant, a flowering perennial. It is useful for cystitis that develops after intercourse, when there is an urge to urinate but discomfort is not relieved after urination. In the bladder there is a sensation of pressure and it feels as if it hasn't emptied, accompanied with burning pain in the urethra when not urinating.
Belladonna
Belladonna, which means "beautiful lady" in Latin is a remedy made from a plant with purplish bell-shaped flowers. Frequent, intense urges to urinate with cramping, burning pains are the indications for using this remedy, often useful when the condition first arises.
Berberis vulgaris
Berberis vulgaris can be used when there are spasms of pain and a sense of burning which extends to the urethra. Burning occurs even when no urine is passed. Bladder pain and urge to urinate can be worse from motion and from walking, and pain is often worse after urination.
Cantharis
Cantharis, a homeopathic remedy made from Spanish fly, is particularly suited for people suffering with intense, burning pain during urination when the urge to urinate is constant. The urine does not flow freely, but drops as if dribbling from the urethra, and each drop feels scalding hot.
Equisetum
Equisetum, a plant known as scouring bush, is a homeopathic remedy chiefly used for treatment of urinary tract conditions like bed-wetting or involuntary urination. For cystitis the symptom indicating its use is where the pain and the urging to urinate is worse after urinating. Pain is more intense at the end of urination. The bladder feels better when full, and the intense burning pain is less than with the other remedies used for cystitis.
Dosage
As with all homeopathic remedies used for self-care treatment, take two tablets in either the 6c or 30c potency, and let them dissolve under the tongue. Remedies are labeled 6c or 30c and sold over the counter. They are widely available in health food stores and pharmacies.
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