Čeprav temu stanju na splošno pravimo okužba mehurja, lahko okužbo sečil bakterije povzročijo v kateremkoli delu sečil, vključno z ledvicami, ureterji (cevi, ki odvajajo seč iz ledvic v sečni mehur), sečnico (cev, ki med uriniranjem prazni mehur) ali sečnim mehurjem (mošnjiček, v katerem se zbira seč, preden se sprosti skozi sečnico). Bakterije, ki povzročajo vnetje sečil, najpogosteje vstopijo skozi sečnico in potujejo po sečilih.
Kljub temu da lahko do okužbe sečil pride tudi pri moških, je iz različnih razlogov veliko bolj verjetno, da se bo pojavila pri ženskah. Prvi razlog je, da je ženska sečnica krajša od moške, zato lahko bakterije enostavneje dosežejo mehur. Poleg tega so nosečnice bolj izpostavljene tveganju okužb ledvic, saj lahko zarodek pritiska na ureterje. Zadnji razlog pa je, da lahko bakterije v sečnico vstopijo prek spolnega odnosa. Uporaba diafragme lahko povzroči pritisk na sečnico, zaradi česar ženska težje popolnoma izprazni mehur, bakterije pa se začnejo zbirati in uspevati v neizločenem urinu. Okužba sečil je lahko tako akutna kot kronična.
Kaj je okužba sečil?
Glavni simptomi okužbe sečil so pekoč občutek med uriniranjem, pogosto in urgentno uriniranje z zmanjšano količino urina, kri v urinu, močen vonj urina ali moten urin.
Okužbo sečil lahko povzročijo številni faktorji, med drugim:
Določene oblike kontracepcije, zlasti uporaba diafragme.
Spolna aktivnost, zlasti z novim partnerjem.
Prekomerno uživanje sladkarij.
Pretekla pojavitev ledvičnih kamnov.
Katerakoli bolezen, ki slabi imunski sistem, kot npr. sladkorna bolezen.
Konvencionalna medicina zdravi okužbo sečil z antibiotiki, vendar je treba popraviti neravnovesje v telesu, ki se skriva za tem, sicer se bo posameznik srečal z novo okužbo, takoj ko se z antibiotiki znebi prvotne. Ta cikel se lahko pojavlja vedno znova in povzroči tudi druge težave, ne le stranske učinke zdravil. [Preberi več: TKM vs zahodna medicina]
Kako TKM razume okužbo sečil?
Za sistemsko neravnovesje, ki se skriva za kroničnimi okužbami sečil, v kitajski medicini velja, da gre ponavadi za pomanjkanje ledvične vodne energije v kombinaciji s tujim napadalcem. Ko bakterije ali virus, tj. tuji napadalec, vstopijo v telo, jih ledvični sistem, ki nadzoruje sečila, ne more nemudoma odstraniti, saj nima dovolj vodne energije. Imunske celice, ki jih nadzira jetrni sistem, začnejo delovati, da bi ubile napadalce, a je zaradi zastoja v jetrnem sistemu ali vlažne vročine vnetna reakcija preveč intenzivna, kar povzroči pekoč in boleč občutek. Drugi simptomi so rdeč jezik z zelo malo prevleke in preobčutljivost ter nočno potenje. [Preberi več: Kako se z vidika TKM razvijejo virusne okužbe, kot sta gripa in prehlad]
Zdravljenje okužb sečil s TKM
Pri zdravljenju je zelo pomembna zeliščna mešanica. Zelišče ShenDaHaung se uporablja za napolnitev vodne ledvične energije, medtem ko ChaiHu in HuangQin očistita vnetje. Obstajajo tudi druga zelišča, ki pomagajo pri uriniranju in odstranjevanju bakterij in strupov skozi izločanje seča.
Akutni primeri se pogosto zelo hitro odzovejo na zdravljenje z akupunkturo in zelišči, včasih le v nekaj dneh ali celo hitreje. Najbolj učinkovita akupunkturna točka je RN 3, ki jo najdemo neposredno nad sečnim mehurjem. Zelo pomembna točka je tudi SP 9, ki je pod kolenom na notranji strani golenice. Ta točka je pogosto občutljiva na pritisk, če gre za okužbo sečil, in je zelo uporabna za vse tipe neravnovesij sečil. Njene tradicionalne funkcije so transformacija stagnacije vlage in izboljšanje sečnega mehurja.
Med terapijo pri okužbi sečil je pomembno, da:
se popolnoma izogibate sladkarijam;
nosite bombažno spodnje perilo, da se tako zagotovi cirkulacija zraka in prepreči vlažno okolje;
pijete dovolj vode;
se izogibate kavi, čaju in alkoholu;
se izogibate spolnemu odnosu, če je mogoče;
po spolnem odnosu čim hitreje izpraznite mehur;
pijete kokosovo vodo. Brusnični sok le lajša simptome, vendar v jetrnem sistemu na dolgi rok povzroči več vlažne vročne;
se po uriniranju obrišete od spredaj nazaj, da ne širite bacilov od anusa v sečnico;
se izogibate vaginalnim deodorantom, vaginalnim prham in lubrikantom.
Treating a UTI with Chinese Medicine
Although commonly called a bladder infection, a urinary tract infection (UTI) may be caused by bacteria in any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters (the tubes that carry urine to the bladder from the kidneys), urethra (the tube that empties the bladder during urination), or bladder (the sac that "holds" urine before it is released through the urethra). The bacteria that cause UTIs most often enter the urethra and travel up through the urinary tract.
Although men can experience infections of the urinary tract, women are much more likely to get them, for a number of reasons. First, because a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's, bacteria can more easily reach the bladder. Second, expectant mothers may be at higher risk for infections of the kidneys because a fetus can put pressure on the ureters. Finally, the act of sexual intercourse can push bacteria into the urethra. Wearing a diaphragm can put pressure on the urethra and make it harder for a woman to completely empty her bladder, causing bacteria to collect and flourish in the uneliminated urine. UTIs can be acute or chronic.
What is UTI?
The main symptoms of a UTI are a burning sensation when urinating, frequent and urgent urination with a reduced amount of urine, blood in the urine, strong smelling urine or cloudy urine.
A number of factors can predispose you to a UTI. These include:
Certain types of birth control. Specifically using the diaphragm.
Being sexually active, especially with a new partner.
Too much sweet.
A history of kidney stones.
Any illness that impairs the immune system, such as diabetes.
Conventional medicine treats UTIs with antibiotics, but unless the underlying imbalance is rectified, as soon as a person gets rid of one infection with antibiotics, another one sets in. This cycle can be repeated over and over, causing other problems from the side effects of the drugs. [Read more: TCM vs Western Medicine]
How TCM understand UTIs
The underlying systemic imbalance of chronic UTIs in traditional Chinese medicine is usually Kidney Water energy deficiency accompanied by foreign invader. When the bacteria or virus, foreign invader, enters the body, the Kidney system which in charge the urinary tract is not able to clean off immediately because of the insufficiency water energy. Immune cells controlled by the Liver system kick in to kill the invaders but because of the congestion of Liver system or damp heat, the inflammation reaction is too intense causing the burning and painful sensation. Other symptoms include a red tongue with very little coating, and, possibly, irritability and night sweats. [Read more: How viral infection like Cold and Flu Develop in the view of Traditional Chinese medicine]
TCM Treatment for UTIs
Herbal mixture plays an important role in the treatment. ShengDaHaung is used to fill up the Kidney water energy. ChaiHu and HuangQin are used to clean up inflammation. There are also some other herbs to facilitate the urination so the bacterial and toxins are bought out by the urine.
Acute cases often respond very quickly to acupuncture and herbs, sometimes in just a few days or even sooner. The most effective acupuncture point is RN 3 , located directly over the urinary bladder. Another important point is SP 9 , located below the knee along the inside of the tibia bone. This point is often sensitive to pressure if there is a UTI, and it is very useful for all types of imbalances of the urinary tract. Its traditional functions are to transform damp stagnation and benefit the urinary bladder.
During therapy for UTIs, it is important to
Avoid sweets completely.
Wear cotton underwear to ensure that air circulates and prevents a damp environment.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid coffee, tea and alcohol.
If possible avoid sexual intercourse.
After sexual intercourse empty your bladder as soon as possible.
Drink coconut water. Cranberry juice only relief the symptoms but cause more damp heat inside the Liver system in the long term.
After urinating wipe from front to back to avoid spreading germs from the anus to the urethra.
Avoid vaginal deodorants, douches and sexual lubricants.
Kommentare