By prof. Claudia De Rosa, international lecturer in Homeopathic Medicine and researcher

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder of bacterial origin that can affect individuals of every sex and age, but in particular, women of childbearing age . It can occur with only one episode or tend to become chronic. We discover the ompeopathic remedies to prevent and cure it.

Description and causes of cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder due to the proliferation of bacterial microorganisms (= phlogosis of the bladder mucosa). Physical symptoms do not necessarily occur for infection to occur.

Cystitis can be contracted by adults, the elderly but also by children . In particular, in fertile age, women are the subjects most affected . In general, the female sex is more likely to contract cystitis due to the anatomy of the ureter (shorter in women than in men) and the absence of prostatic secretions that have bactericidal properties. In women over 55-60 years of age, on the other hand, the susceptibility to contract cystitis increases due to factors related to menopause, including the lack of estrogen production and the dislocation of the pelvic organs. In humans, instead, cystitis is associated with bacterial prostatitis .

There are 3 inflammatory processes : acute, subacute and chronic. Cystitis can resolve after a single episode and often does not require any specific treatment (sometimes drinking more and eating healthy will resolve the inflammation), but if neglected it tends to recur and become chronic . In these cases it is important to follow a specific treatment to prevent the inflammation from spreading to the other urinary tract and / or the genital tract.

More frequent symptoms are the urgent need to urinate, frequent urination, pain in the bladder or in the lumbar / renal area, severe burning before, during or after urination . Symptoms usually appear suddenly due to sexual intercourse or the consumption of foods that are too spicy, fatty or spicy, and even after drastic and sudden climatic changes or following prolonged pharmacological treatments.

Among the complications there is the risk that the infection goes up through the ureter giving rise to an infection in the kidney (pyelonephritis) or the appearance of lancinating pains in the back in the lumbar region accompanied by frequent and painful urination.

You can learn more about all the natural remedies for kidney health

Interpretation of symptoms

In holistic and psychosomatic medicine, cystitis is associated with a feeling of isolation, insecurity, difficulty in letting go, deep anger, frustration or disappointment resulting from unrealized expectations. The inability to let "the waters flow", the failure to retain metabolic residues, the desire at all costs to "hold" control over situations, events and feelings for the inability to accept that things happen spontaneously represent the main themes of this disorder.

In fact, those who suffer from cystitis is a person who, mentally, is not willing to "give in", to let go. We are faced with people who tend to have a profound attitude of control over the regular "flow of life", which point out in an exaggerated manner and / or which tend to want to have the last word.

In practice, the walls of the bladder become inflamed being torn between the need to let things go naturally and the desire to hold and control the flow of events, in particular with reference to all those situations that have to do with the symbology of water: sexuality (where water represents the symbol of the flowing libido), femininity (as a woman and mother, creator of life), origins (water is the substance that makes up the primordial ocean and the amniotic fluid), spirituality (water is a thin and transparent substance) and transformation ("panta rei", the flowing river). It is on these themes that the unconscious predominates: the feminine essence is in disequilibrium with itself, it does not perform its ductile, malleable, flexible function but it has stiffened, leaving on one side the tendency to control, on the other the wanting to give up and let go, "flow".

The female part (yin) clashes with the male part (yang) and the symptoms are clear signals: the stimulus and the need to urinate several times signal the need to yield at the same time exacerbate the difficulty due to the constant attempt to control and to hold back. Burning represents the struggle between water and fire, the feminine and the masculine.

The inability to effect a change or to accept the natural "flow" of events makes cystitis recurrence favoring its chronicization.

Cystitis can also represent the somatization of emotions, attitudes, situations and feelings that are not expressed and not manifested, held even on an unconscious level. In psychosomatic medicine this type of inflammation can in fact also express a condition of latent or masked depression where cystitis represents the inability to break free and regenerate through tears (= holding back the tears).

Homeopathic remedies for cystitis

Homeopathy uses a series of specific remedies selected based on the modality, quality and intensity of the manifestation of symptoms and taking into account the "ground" or constitution of the individual.

• Apis Mellifica 20CH: Burning sensation at the end of urination characterized by stinging and burning pain and accompanied by a sensation of swelling. From the emotional point of view the person is extremely active and restless and gets nervous and easily irritated. Urination is frequent with the feeling of not being able to expel and get rid of urine completely. Urine sediments similar to coffee grounds may be present. In the case of Apis Mellifica, the symptoms worsen with heat and in hot environments, with pressure (even of clothing) and during physical activity. An improvement occurs instead with cool or cold applications or sitting upright.
• Cantharis 30 CH: Intense and unbearable burning accompanied by frequent urination. There may also be blood in the urine. From the emotional point of view the subject appears to be frenetic. From the physical point of view, on the other hand, it presents acute, burning and sharp pains after urination. Urine comes out drop by drop causing an unbearable burning. This type of cystitis could be accompanied by chills and fever. The symptoms worsen during urination and ingesting cold drinks. Instead, they improve with heat and resting in a supine position.
• Causticum 30 CH : unbearable burning, intense, pungent and stabbing. Usually it follows Cantharis in the chronic treatment of cystitis. From the emotional point of view he feels strong indignation, while from the physical point of view the symptom is perceived as a strong burning almost as if it were a burn. The symptoms tend to worsen during the evening hours and with the cold while they improve with the humid climate and ingesting cold drinks.
• Lycopodium 30 CH : Cystitis located on the right side or which tends to move from right to left. From an emotional point of view, he is highly insecure and wants to have someone close. It is a painful cystitis that causes a hot shivering sensation during urination. Usually the symptoms worsen in the late afternoon (between 4 pm and 8 pm), after eating and with heat. Instead they improve by ingesting hot drinks.
• Mercurius Corrusivus 30 CH : Need to urinate not relieved by urination. The burning sensation is felt especially in the urethra. Urine, perceived as a hot liquid, increases burning. Emotionally the subject is anxious and restless. There is a sensation of spasms in the bladder and the rectum immediately after urination. In severe cases, urethral bleeding may occur after urination. The symptoms worsen with urination and improve with rest.
• Sarsaparilla 30 CH : Acute pain in the urethra at the end of urination. Emotionally he appears anxious and depressed because of the pain. Urination is only possible while standing. Urine is "dry" and usually contains sand or blood. Pain radiates from the right kidney downwards. The bladder is swollen and painful. Symptoms get worse at night and with movement.
• Staphysagria 30 CH: Cystitis usually arises following sexual intercourse. Emotionally the subject is embarrassed with a sense of anger and indignation. The main symptom is the desire to urinate but without outcome accompanied by strong burning in the urethra during urination and the desire to pass a certain amount of urine immediately after finishing urination. Symptoms get worse with excessive sexual intercourse and masturbation.