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Understanding repeat E.coli related
cystitis, bladder infections, and UTI's.
(Go to short
version) (Printable
Version)
We have learned a lot from our customers and from our
own experiences and research about the causes of repeat urinary infections,
particularly related to E.coli, and the results are interesting for anyone
who wants to learn how to avoid such infections.
Introduction
E.coli survive antibiotic attack
Asexual Survival Characteristics (E.coli)
Variant E.coli and Antibiotic Resistance
Implications and Avoidance
Triggers for dormant E.coli release
Antibiotic dose levels
Causes of fresh or first contamination
Recognising Interstitial
Cystitis
Triggers for Interstitial Cystitis
(IC)
Other Treatments and Interventions
Surgical interventions for IC- a last
resort
Conclusion
Introduction:
Until very recently it was thought that each new bladder infection (referring
to all areas from the urethra to the kidneys) was the result of a fresh
contamination via (usually) the urethra, or sexual contact. However, Sweet
Cures has been leading a campaign to change this view.
Clearly, there must be a first time for such contamination
and infection, but in the vast majority of cases, (though not all) apparently
repeat infections are the result of E.coli that survived the previous
infection, and have been dormant in the bladder [Proof!]
until stimulated into releasing pods from their colony to once again multiply
out of control. E.coli are uniquely adapted super
mutators.
E.coli
survive antibiotic attack
There is good evidence for this, although not many doctors
appear to have taken it on board yet (from the number of women who tell
us that their doctor keeps lecturing them on personal hygiene.)
When you actually sit down and think about the pattern
of most repeat infections, logic leads you to the same conclusions. Darwin'sSurvival
of the Species through Natural Selection explains the process through
higher forms of life, and E.coli survives as a life form in the same way
that we have evolved as humans - by survival of the fittest.
Every medical practitioner and every cystitis sufferer
knows that E.coli become increasingly resistant to antibiotics used against
them. It is important for the understanding of how antibiotic resistance
takes place to realise that it's not your body that builds up a resistance
to antibiotics, it is the infection agent - in the case of bladder infections,
usually E.coli.
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Here is how that works:
Asexual
Survival Characteristics (E.coli)
Say you start off with a strain called x...
If you kill all of x with an antibiotic, then there are
no x survivors, and if you were to again be infected with x (as a fresh
contamination), and took the same antibiotic, there could be no increase
in the resistance of x. It would be just like the first time, and they
would be all killed.
But this is where natural selection comes in. E.coli
are asexual organisms with natural variation in the genetic makup of some
of the bacteria in every colony. In effect E.coli are genetic clones of
each other, but there are occasional mutations that produce genetic variation,
giving the variation different survival capabilities. For example, although
some of the mutations will have poor survival capabilities, some E.coli
in every colony may be able to survive unusual heat, cold, toxin levels,
antibiotic attack, or high acidity or alkalinity. They pass on these survival
characteristics to their progeny.
Doctors attempt to fight the resistance of E.coli by
varying the antibiotics used, and by increasing antibiotic dose levels
to compensate for the resistance effect, but this only exasperates the
problem as the E.coli become increasingly resistant, even to broad-spectrum
antibiotics. The result is seriously resistant E.coli that only something
that defeats the E.coli in another way (like Waterfall D-Mannose) can
get rid of from your body.
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Variant
E.coli and Antibiotic Resistance
The mechanism of E.coli antibiotic resistance is that
one or more natural E.coli variants, (lets call it variant xy), survives
the antibiotic attack. For example, by not succumbing to fluorine poisoning.
So the antibiotic kills off all x colonies, and xy is left to multiply
and establish colonies of it's own, passing on its resistance to fluorine
(or whatever toxin the antibiotic utilised) to its duplicates. Most of
the xy colonies will be xy type variant, and we already know that xy variant
can survive the antibiotic that killed all its x brothers. It's a born
survivor. You can't use what you used to kill x, to kill xy - at least
not at the same dose levels or not for the same treatment length. So you'll
need a longer course of antibiotics or at a stronger dose level to kill
xy. And don't forget, xy will have its own variants. Somewhere, there
will be an xz variant that can survive these bigger doses.
Lets look at the logic again: We know for a fact that
E.coli builds up resistance to any antibiotic used against it. It can
only do that if some of the bacteria survive the antibiotic attack. If
your second episode of cystitis is simply a fresh contamination of the
same E.coli that you were previously contaminated with, we are not talking
about mutated survivors of the antibiotic, we are talking about the plain
old original bug again, so the same dose level of the same antibiotic
will work as well as it did before. However, that is not how the course
of repeated cystitis attacks works. Typically, infection becomes more
and more frequent. Patients go back for more antibiotics. Doctors find
that the same dose level doesn't work, so they increase the dose levels,
and increase the number treatment days. Or they vary the antibiotic. Gradually,
they have to move on to big hitting fluorotoxins like Ciprofloxacin.
See Business Week Cipro:
Now for the Downside
Thus, increasing resistance could not happen if the cystitis
were the result of fresh E.coli contamination of non-resistant bugs through
faecal contamination or introduced through a sexual partner, or by any
other route. Resistance occurs because of survival of the fittest - survival
from a previous contamination.
Logic therefore tells us that resistant E.coli is left
in the bladder after treatment with antibiotics. Fact tells us that it's
detectable six weeks later in 35% of women. A year later it has recurred
in half of all antibiotic treated women.
"Although antibiotics initially sterilize the
urine in almost all patients, bacteriuria recurs in approximately one-half
by one year." Approach to the Patient with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria,
Thomas Fekete, MD, Professor of Medicine and Microbiology,
Temple University School of Medicine.
Less detectable, but still present, are E.coli living
behind biofilms in the bladder, because they don't show up in urine tests.
[Proof!]
Also see: Dynamic
interactions between host and pathogen during acute urinary tract infections.
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Implications
and Avoidance
From the fact that if you are suffering from repeat episodes
of cystitis, E.coli are probably living in your bladder, dormant or not,
it is apparent that it is more difficult to avoid than it would be if
the problem were simply cross-infection, or poor hygiene. And anyway,
once you've had an episode or two of cystitis you'll be obsessively clean.
What we've found is that there can be a number of triggers that lead to
the next episode - a number of triggers that lead to the reactivation
of dormant E.coli already in the bladder, or the release of E.coli pods
from behind biofilms in the bladder (the biofilms are made of the same
stuff as your bladder wall.)
The triggers for dormant E.coli release and causes of
fresh contamination also differ, although there is some crossover. Whatever
caused that very first infection, it is what makes new or apparently new
that is important to sufferers.
Triggers
for dormant E.coli release:
- Previous history of infection and antibiotic use. The more recent
the use of antibiotics, the greater the probability that an infection
is caused by dormant E.coli being released.
- Dehydration (allows high concentration of uric acid. E.coli seems
able to sense when conditions are right for multiplication. It thrives
in an acid environment, and even releases its own acid.) Beware of
drinking too much coffee or alcohol. If you have a dry mouth, you
are probably dehydrated.
- Acidic urine through drinking acidifying drinks like orange juice
or cranberry. Cranberry tablets have the same effect. (Although they
contain a small amount of D-Mannose, this is not enough to stop infections.
The acidifying effect just makes E.coli infections worse, although
cranberry can be useful for Proteous infections.)
- Sexual intercourse or other stimulation of the bladder, such as
by vigorous exercise. This can even trigger long-dormant E.coli pods
to begin releasing E.coli into the bladder, for example, even if you
have not had sex for ten years, you can get 'honeymoon cystitis'
when you next have sex.
- Various spices with properties that allow them to get into the urine
and act as an irritant.
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Antibiotic
dose levels
With dormant E.coli release, taking the same level
of antibiotic over the same period as your previous infection is unlikely
to clear the problem, and will make the infection more resistant through
the process of natural selection. Taking a higher or longer dose of
antibiotics is likely to clear the current episode of cystitis, but
produce more resistant dormant E.coli, making your next episode even
harder to clear.
Top
Causes
of fresh or first contamination:
- Insufficient cleaning after toileting (the old wipe from front
to back thing...)
- Unhygienic sexual intercourse. Make sure you are both clean.
- Oral sex. The mouth and nose harbours E.coli amongst many other
bugs. Kissing your partner before he performs cunnilingus can lead
to your own mouth bacteria getting up your urethra.
- Catheterisation. Even exposure to the air for a few seconds with
a fresh catheter is enough to contaminate it.
- Internal examinations. Bacteria are everywhere, so that speculum
that's been kindly warmed up on a radiator is probably not a good
idea. And anyway, E.coli can survive boiling, (and those that do are
really tough little guys) so is the speculum really clean in the first
place?
If you are actually suffering from bacterial infection,
and not from a blockage or gynocological problem, it should be possible
from the above to understand what is causing repeat bladder infections
or UTI's, and that is a good place to start fighting them.
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Recognising
Interstitial Cystitis
This is a huge subject area, which we can only touch
on lightly here.
A huge number of bladder problems, ranging from painless but frequent
urination through to severely crippling and debilitating bladder pain
that gets worse as the bladder gets full, are labelled under the general
heading of 'interstitial cystitis'.
"It's a non malignant, non infective condition
which may be associated with changes that are apparent when you look
at the bladder, but sometimes the bladder may appear absolutely normal,
[although] the patient may be crippled with discomfort."
Dr Helen O'Connell, consultant urologist - Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Other possible causes of the symptoms
found in IC include physical abnormalities such as prolapse of the bladder,
vaginal infections, urinary tract infections or disorders, endometriosis,
bladder cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and kidney stones. Tests
may be necessary to rule out these causes.
When blockages, physical abnormalities, and symptom-causing
diseases are ruled out, the absence of infection, when combined with pain
or frequent urination, is the over-riding factor that can lead to a diagnosis
of interstitial cystitis.
There may also be one or more of the following.
- Some level of incontinence.
- Women's symptoms often get worse during their periods.
- Pain during sex.
- Irritation of bladder lining may be apparent when viewed through
camera.
- Pinpoint bleeding in the bladder.
- Blood or pus in urine, with or without pain.
- Microscopic examination of 'spots' in bladder wall may reveal fragments
of dead bacteria.
- Small ulcers (Hunner’s ulcers ) covering entire inside of
bladder or isolated areas.
- Raised histamine levels may indicate that some allergic reaction
is taking place.
- Dormant E.coli colonies surviving inside lining of bladder.
Top
Triggers for Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
Some people believe that certain foods such as tomatoes,
spices, alcohol, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus beverages, and high-acid
foods may add to bladder irritation and inflammation. Others notice that
their symptoms get worse after eating or drinking products containing
artificial sweeteners. If you believe that your interstitial cystitis
is related to your diet, try keeping a diary of food and symptoms. Or
try cutting out all of the above, and gradually introducing them to see
what is the trigger.
Unfortunately, the triggers are not always detectable. Interstitial cystitis
can affect otherwise healthy individuals for no apparent reason. However,
it is likely that diet and lifestyle plays a part, and it has recently
been accepted that previous antibiotic use for one or more bladder infection
may kill E.coli but leave fragments of the bacteria bio-molecularly attached
to lining of bladder and urinary tract. This can cause long-term irritation
of the bladder, making it painful to fill the bladder completely, leading
to frequent urination, gradual shrinking of the bladder, and the beginning
of a cycle that can be very difficult to break.
The U.S. microbiologist Dr. Paul Fugazzotto, believes
that interstitial cystitis is caused by gram-positive bacteria, usually
enterococcus, but others believe that gram negative bacteria can also
be involved. Our own experience is only with IC related to E.coli and
Salmonella.
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Possibilities
- Waterfall D-Mannose can help to detach
bacterial fragments if they are present.
Go here
for more information on using the product to help.
- As mentioned, dietary changes may help.
- Antibiotics seem to bring some relief to some sufferers.
- Bladder training to strech the bladder. Try holding it in as long
as you can.
- Stress reduction, and low-impact exercise are said to reduce symptoms.
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Other Treatments
and Interventions
Instilling the bladder with with a disinfecting/analgesic
solution such as Dimethyl Sulfoxide
"Having this instilled in my bladder for 3 weeks was
the single worst thing I have ever done for my IC. I ended up in hospital
on pethidine for pain control and then was laid up for nearly 6 months
before the pain level went down to where it was before the instillation."
Katie Lauren Smith on RemedyFind
Laser treatment to cauterise Hunner’s
ulcers can be effective, but the ulcers may return after time.
Acupuncture to help balance the system and ease pain,
has proved useful for some, but is ineffective in others.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
(TENS), which delivers mild electric pulses to the bladder area. This
helps relieve pain and urinary frequency in some people.
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Surgical
interventions for IC- a last resort
Internal Pouch: Urine is diverted to
a pouch, constructed from a bowel segment, that is placed inside the abdomen.
This is emptied by self-catheterization through a stoma (surgical hole
in the abdomen).
Orthotopic Diversion: The bladder is
removed and a new bladder, formed from a bowel segment, replaces the damaged
bladder. Multiple possible setbacks include bladder stone formation, easier
perforation, incontinence, continuing infections or IC, and increased
mucus production.
Augmentation Cystoplasty: Removal of
part or most of the bladder, and replacment with bowel tissue.
Urinary Diversion: A short section of
bowel and the ureters is used to bypass the bladder into an external collection
bag. May or may not result in the elimination of pain.
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Conclusion
Interstitial Cystitis is a very painful and difficult
problem, and we know that Waterfall D-Mannose cannot solve the problem
for all IC/PBS sufferers. It does seem to work to clear some of these
problems over a 3 month treatment period, if taken at at quite high dose
levels. (2 to 4 heaped teaspoons a day). For more information on this
see Interstitial
Cystitis - A way Forward

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