URETHRAL SYNDROME (non-specific urethritis)

The purpose of this web site is to provide important information regarding urethral syndrome, also called 'non-specific urethritis' - a condition that causes occasional burning pain in the urethra. Through my own research I have discovered the immediate cause of this pain within myself and how to relieve it. I am providing my findings here to empower others with urethral syndrome to relieve their pain. This information may also be helpful to women who suffer from interstitial cystitis.

CAUSE OF PAIN:
Through continuous monitoring of my urine pH and pain levels over a two month period and regular monitoring for an additional year, I discovered that acidic urine (pH of 4 to 6) is associated with burning pain in the urethra (urethral syndrome or non-specific urethritis). Urine that is neutral (pH of 7) or alkaline (pH greater than 7) is not painful. It is easy to measure your own urine pH with the use of pH test paper - see my 'Test yourself' link at right for more details.

Note that it is possible to have acidic urine for a short period of time without experiencing pain. However, if the urine stays acid for any length of time, it becomes painful. As an experiment, we deliberately 'crashed' my husband's urine pH through diet and maintained it at acidic levels. He does not have urethral syndrome. On the ninth day of the acid-forming diet, he experienced burning pain in the urethra. See the data on this under 'My Test Data'.

HOW TO STOP THE PAIN:
I have found it relatively easy to eliminate the pain of urethral syndrome/non-specific urethritis primarily through mineral supplements and secondarily through diet. Taking mineral supplements of calcium carbonate, magnesium oxide, potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate makes the urine more alkaline and eliminates the pain of urethral syndrome.

Each day I take a total of:
* 1000 mg of calcium carbonate or calcium citrate
* 500 mg of magnesium oxide
* 1000 mg of potassium bicarbonate or potassium citrate
* 1400 mg of sodium bicarbonate (1/4 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water)

I split this daily dose up and take a portion with each meal (breakfast, lunch and supper). Using this regime I have been PAIN-FREE since the summer of 2008.

The above amounts are all within the recommended daily allowances for adults. These mineral supplements are inexpensive and are widely available at pharmacies and health food stores.

IMPORTANT: Potassium must NOT be taken in high doses because this could affect the functioning of the heart even in a healthy person. If you have a heart condition, do not take ANY potassium supplement without first consulting your physician.

IMPORTANT: Do not take baking soda if a doctor has put you on a sodium-restricted diet.

IMPORTANT: Potassium chloride has no beneficial effect on urine pH because the chloride component is acid-forming. So the chloride cancels out the alkalinizing effect of the potassium. The same is true for sodium chloride (table salt).

DIET
FOODS THAT REDUCE THE PAIN OF URETHRAL SYNDROME:
Foods that are alkalinizing to the body (and urine) include most fruits and vegetables, especially potatoes (white and sweet), spinach, bananas, and raisins.

FOODS THAT INCREASE THE PAIN OF URETHRAL SYNDROME:
The acid-forming substances in food include all proteins and the minerals chloride and phosphorous. Acid-forming foods include meats, grains, beans and cheese due to their high protein content.

FOODS THAT ARE NEUTRAL:
Some foods do not significantly impact the acid-alkaline balance in the body. Sugar and oils and fats are neutral and milk, ice cream, yogurt and table salt are very close to neutral.

My diet is not overly strict and with a small effort I am pain-free. I eat potatoes instead of pasta or rice, take smaller portions of protein foods (meat/chicken/fish/beans/grains), eat a banana or two each day and snack on raisins, fruit and raw carrots - otherwise I eat pretty much what I want.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS:
1. Note that it is not true to say that acid-forming foods are bad for you. Our bodies need protein, chloride and phosphorous. We just need a greater proportion of alkalinizing foods over acid ones. And a typical North American diet is very high in protein which can result in low-grade chronic acidity.

2. Note that I am not referring to the pH value of a food if you were to measure it with pH test paper. This does not determine its effect on the acid balance of body tissues. The body breaks down the nutritional components of the food during the digestive process and it is the net balance of acid-forming minerals and proteins versus alkalinizing minerals that determines whether a particular food is acid-forming or alkalinizing. For instance, orange juice is acidic if you directly measure its pH value with test paper, because of the citric acid it contains, but when it is digested it has an alkalinizing effect on the body due to its high potassium content.

3. There is a great deal of conflicting information available about what foods are acid-forming and what foods are alkalinizing, although everyone agrees that most fruits and vegetables are alkalinizing. I have read a number of books and reviewed much web-based information. I have also consulted with naturopathic doctors. When I received conflicting information, I tested it on myself by eating the food in question and monitoring my urine pH. Based on my research and experience since November 2007, I have found the most accurate and helpful model is the one put forward by Thomas Remer, PhD, and Friedrich Manz, MD in their article entitled "Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH", published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association in 1995, 95:791-797.

4. I do not recommend supplements that specifically claim to alkalinize the body - the ones I have looked at contain acid-forming ingredients and they are much more expensive and less effective than a simple calcium-magnesium supplement. According to my understanding of acid-alkaline dietary factors, there is no liquid or juice that contains enough minerals to alkalinize the body, except for a liquid calcium supplement.

(site updated on July 13, 2010)