Which woman has not had the uncomfortable experience of a bladder infection, also known as cystitis: Pain and burning in the bladder and urethra, frequent and urgent urination with burning pain and even cramping of the bladder, although only a few drops may be passed and perhaps even blood in your urine. Most bladder infections are believed to be caused by E.coli infections of the urinary tract from the bowel, however, the woman’s immune system seems to play an important role in the susceptibility to this common infection.

E.coli and bladder infections

E.coli may enter the urethra during intercourse, which is why urinating and washing carefully before and after intercourse can help to reduce the tendency to develop a bladder infection. The man should also carefully wash before sexual intercourse.

Immune system function can decline as a result of aging, which is one of the main reasons older people are more prone to developing infections, including colds and flus as well as more serious conditions such as cancer. In fact, about 77% of cancers are diagnosed in people over age 55. New studies show that compounds from medicinal mushrooms can stimulate T-cell as well as Natural Killer cell function and other immune system parameters.

Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of being used to increase vitality and longevity in many Asian countries including China and Japan. In recent decades scientific research has discovered certain active ingredients from those mushrooms which appear to have powerful immune system strengthening properties.

In a previous article I discussed the causes of yeast infections. Now we will learn about treating those nasty itchy nuisances. Again, the most common symptoms are itching in the vaginal and/or vulvar area, swelling and soreness of the parts and possibly a whitish discharge. Also, remember to get a proper diagnosis before treating yourself.

You will want to treat both the local symptoms as well as the systemic yeast overgrowth.

With the winter season in full swing runny noses and coughs are cropping up everywhere. Seniors in particular are more vulnerable to contracting influenza and developping potentially more serious effects from it due to age-related immune system weaknesses.

Even the flu shot is not a sure bet and occasionally may lead to flu symptoms or other complications such as Guillain-Barre Syndrome, an autoimmune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system usually triggered by an acute infectious process.

It causes ascending paralysis beginning with weakness in the legs and later involvement of the arms, face and respiratory system.

We all age, but are we aging well? As the body ages, damage to cells and tissues occurs faster than repair and regeneration. When we are young growth and regeneration happens at a much faster rate than breakdown.

By about age 30 they are in a state of balance, but after that – guess what, damage starts to exceed repair. Naturopathic doctor Anke Zimmerman has taken additional training in anti-aging medicine and is pleased to share her knowledge

Only 35% of aging is genetic

Virtually all chronic disease including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, cancer and changes in brain function are simply the result of aging, which means that by controlling the rate at which we age we can prevent or at least minimize the hazards of those chronic diseases.

Both the breakdown as well as the regeneration of cells can be affected by a number of life-style factors. Only about 35% of aging is genetic, the other 65% are under our control. Your body creates about 300 billion new cells every single day, so by preventing damage and providing the environment needed to optimize the health of new cells we can slow down and even partially reverse the aging process.

Question: Why do I get mood swings, feel anxious or experience depression?

Answer: There are a many different reasons for mood swings, anxiety and depression, therefor every sufferer requires an individualized approach to evaluation and treatment. Treatment protocols depend on the patient’s unique case history and the causes for their present condition. Causes for anxiety and depression can include external factors such as difficulties in relationships and various emotional traumas, including sudden shocks and frights, the loss of a loved one, stress at work or home, parenting issues and many others.

Many women suffer from chronic, low grade or frequently recurring bladder infections, sometimes diagnosed as interstitial cystitis. This is a very distressing condition which can seriously interfere with a woman's quality of life and can put quite a strain on intimate relationships as intercourse often aggravates the condition.      
Symptoms of chronic bladder infections
There may be all the usual symptoms of cystitis, including urgency, frequent urination, pain and burning during or after urination. Sometimes the first or only symptom is an unusual odour to the urine. The condition may flare up with intercourse, getting chilled, loss of sleep or stress. Urine tests and bacterial cultures may or may not come back positive for infections. The usual conventional treatment is low-dose, long-term atibiotic therapy. 

Q:  I had a baby two months ago and still feel very tired and low in spirits. I hvae mood swigs and feel irritable. Sometimes I feel as if I don't care abuot my husband or baby. Is there life after chidbirth? 
 
A: You may be experienceing postpartum depression. Estrogen and progesterone levels suddenly drop after chidlbirth, which may lead to depression, apathy, sudden mood swings, bouts of irritability, anger, and often a complete loss of libido, all of which can put a lot of strain on a marriage and make motherhood difficult. See your medical doctor and your naturopath for a through assessment, including bloodwork. Make sure you are not overworking yourself and are getting enough sleep.
Thyroid function may also be altered following childbirth, as the thyroid is overworking throughout the pregnancy and may underfunction (hypothyroid) after the baby is born.

If you are itching to get rid of yet another yeast infection, take heart. Help is only a trip to the health food store or grocery store away. But before you run out and try any home treatment, please make sure it is really yeast which is causing your problems, as certain other infections such as vaginal strep, chlamydia and gonorrhea may have similar symptoms. Get examined and have a swab done.

What are the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection?