If you haven’t thought much about urinary health you’re not alone. Most people don’t think about this important bodily function until they have a problem. But, a lot of people do have issues with the urinary system. Common problems include urinary tract infections (UTIs), interstitial cystitis, kidney stones, incontinence, prostatitis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

In fact, UTIs are the most common infections in the world and are particularly problematic for women. They account for about 25% of all infections in women and about 50% of all women have reported having UTIs during the previous 12 months.

Interstitial cystitis, also called painful bladder syndrome, is another major problem. This debilitating condition affects an estimated 3.3 million American women.

The more common urinary problems in men are prostatitis and BPH, which cause pain and difficulty urinating in about 1.6 million men.

Another painful and difficult problem people experience with the urinary system is kidney stones. It’s been estimated that 1 in 11 people in the United States have problems with kidney stones.

The most serious of all urinary problems is chronic kidney disease, which results in failure of the kidneys to function properly. About one in seven Americans will have this problem, which tends to get worse over time. Ultimately, about 2 in 1,000 Americans will wind up with end-stage kidney disease, which requires kidney dialysis and may require a kidney transplant.

However, not all urinary problems are this obvious. Moderate urinary dysfunction can underlie many other health issues, including blood pressure, mineral imbalances, weakness of the bones and joints, osteoporosis, and more.

If you’re one of the millions of people suffering from health problems directly or indirectly related to the urinary system, this issue of Sunshine Sharing is for you. In it we’ll discuss the role of the urinary system in overall health, the various health problems associated with the urinary system, and how to use herbs and other natural remedies to restore urinary health.

Understanding Urinary Health

Two of the most important things you can do to improve any urinary system problem is to drink enough pure water and balance your body’s pH levels. So, if you’re experiencing any urinary health problems start by making sure you’re properly hydrated and alkalized.

Most people don’t drink enough water. They drink coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, fruit juice, milk, alcohol, and other beverages instead. However, when it comes to the health of the urinary system, most of these beverages aren’t going to help kidney function. Many, in fact, cause stress on the urinary system because they increase the acid load the kidneys must filter. This is particularly true of sodas and energy drinks, which are very acidifying.

It’s been said that “the solution to the pollution is dilution,” and drinking at least 6-8 cups of water daily is important for good health. That’s about one and a half to two quarts a day. If you’re a larger person, live in a hot, dry climate, or are exposed to a lot of chemicals you will need more. The most important key to determining if you’re drinking enough water is urine color, which should be a pale-yellow color. If your urine is darker, you need to drink more water.

There is one exception to this rule. Certain nutrients, like B-vitamins, will color the urine bright yellow if you take them. Even then, however, you should try to drink enough water to keep your urine a lighter color.

It also helps to adopt a more alkaline diet, which involves eating a diet containing a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and a minimal amount of grains and sugars. Too much animal protein can also be acidifying.

Urinary Health and the Structural System

If your body’s pH starts becoming too acidic due to a lack of water, an overly acidic diet, or poor kidney function, it will adversely affect the structural system. The body will borrow alkaline minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium from bones and other tissues. This results is a loss of mineral reserves, the tendency to develop kidney stones, and a weakening of the structural system.

This helps us to understand why traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) claims that the kidneys build the bones. Their ability to flush acid helps retain the mineral reserves needed for healthy tissues. Thus, problems like gout, osteoporosis, arthritis, back pain, and weakness in the legs, knees, and ankles may be at least partly caused by a deficiency of kidney qi (energy).

Other Urinary System Functions

In TCM the kidneys are considered the home of the life essence or jing. According to TCM, a deficiency of jing shortens one’s life, making the kidney energy foundational to reducing the effects of aging. This is probably due to the close proximity of the kidneys and the adrenal glands, which help the body cope with stress.

It may also explain why excessive fear is thought to deplete kidney energy in both Oriental and Western tradition. Fear causes stress on the body that contributes to more rapid aging processes as well as a loss of urinary function. Anger may also affect the bladder which is why we talk about an angry person being “pissed off,” suggesting that anger shuts down urinary function.

Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne

You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty Water for Health, for Healing, for Life by F. Batmanghelidj

Strategies for Health by Steven Horne