Chronic Urinary Tract Infection
Chronic urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infectious disease of the urinary tract caused by various pathogens. It generally refers to cases in which acute symptoms have subsided but the condition has persisted for more than six months. Based on the site of infection, it may be classified as an upper UTI (pyelonephritis) or a lower UTI (cystitis or urethritis). UTIs are also classified as complicated or uncomplicated, depending on whether there are functional or structural abnormalities of the urinary tract. Clinical manifestations include urinary frequency, urgency, painful urination, and difficulty urinating, with symptoms that may come and go. Fever, chills, or lower back pain may also occur, although some people have no obvious clinical symptoms. Acute episodes are often triggered by overexertion or a common cold. Ancient Chinese medical texts did not use the term “chronic UTI.” Based on its symptoms and signs, chronic UTI is classified in TCM under categories such as “lin syndrome” (painful urinary dysfunction), “edema,” “deficiency taxation,” and “lower back pain.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Aching pain in the lower back, reduced appetite, fatigue and lack of strength, low-grade fever or heat in the palms and soles, and dry mouth and tongue
In plain language:
- The lower back may feel achy and sore, with discomfort during movement or after sitting for a long time.
- Appetite may decrease, and food may seem unappealing.
- You may feel tired and weak easily, have little energy for activities, and experience only limited improvement after resting.
- You may sometimes have a slight fever, or feel warmth in the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, along with a restless, overheated sensation.
- Your mouth and tongue may feel dry, with noticeable dryness and discomfort when speaking or swallowing.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and promote urination to relieve lin syndrome
In plain language:
- Help clear internal heat and promote the elimination of dampness, which may ease discomfort such as feverish restlessness, a heavy feeling in the body, thirst, or scanty urination.
- Help promote urination and relieve painful urinary symptoms, such as scanty, dark urine, difficulty urinating, or a burning sensation in the urethra.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Lower abdominal distension, accompanied by nausea, poor appetite, aversion to greasy foods, and dry, bitter mouth
In plain language:
- The lower abdomen may feel distended and uncomfortable, with a bloated, tight sensation that can persist during activity.
- You may feel nauseated or queasy, have a poor appetite, and have little interest in food.
- You may dislike greasy foods and feel averse to them, or feel uncomfortably heavy after eating them.
- Your mouth may feel dry and bitter, with a dry sensation when speaking or swallowing.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Free the Liver and Gallbladder and clear damp-heat
In plain language:
- Help regulate the flow of Liver and Gallbladder qi, which may ease discomfort such as distending pain in the ribs, bitter taste, dry throat, or low mood.
- Help clear damp-heat from the body, which may ease symptoms such as a heavy feeling in the body, scanty, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes and skin.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Distending fullness or pain in the flanks and abdomen; often irritable and prone to anger
In plain language:
- The sides of the torso and abdomen may feel persistently distended or full, or may be painful; discomfort may be more noticeable when it persists.
- You may feel restless or irritable, lose your temper easily, and experience pronounced mood swings.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Soothe the Liver and regulate qi to promote the smooth flow of qi
In plain language:
- Help soothe Liver qi and regulate its flow, which may ease discomfort such as fullness in the chest and ribs, low mood, or a sensation of something lodged in the throat.
- Help regulate the movement of qi throughout the body, which may ease symptoms such as chest tightness, reduced appetite, or a feeling of physical constraint.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Pale, dull complexion, aching and weakness in the lower back and knees, poor appetite, fatigue, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak
In plain language:
- Your complexion may look dull and lack radiance, and you may appear low in energy.
- Your lower back and knees may feel achy and weak, with a sense of reduced strength that may be more noticeable after walking or sitting for a long time.
- You may have a poor appetite and eat less, feel easily fatigued and weak, and lack motivation for activities.
- You may feel short of breath, speak less, and have little inclination to talk; your voice may be quiet and weak.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Warm and tonify the Spleen and Kidney and promote urination to relieve lin syndrome
In plain language:
- Help warm and support Spleen and Kidney qi, which may ease discomfort such as aversion to cold, cold limbs, aching and weakness in the lower back and knees, or fatigue.
- Help promote urination and relieve symptoms such as frequent urination, dribbling or difficulty urinating, or a weak urinary stream.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
|Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Aching and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness and tinnitus, occasional low-grade fever or vexing heat in the palms, soles, and chest, restless sleep, and, in severe cases, night sweats
In plain language:
- Your lower back and knees may feel achy and weak, with a sense of reduced strength when walking or sitting for a long time.
- You may feel dizzy or lightheaded and hear ringing in your ears, even when things are quiet.
- You may sometimes have a slight fever, or feel heat in your palms, soles, and chest along with restlessness.
- You may sleep restlessly, wake easily, or toss and turn and have difficulty falling asleep.
- In more severe cases, you may sweat after falling asleep and wake feeling uncomfortable because your clothes or bedding are damp.
|Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Nourish Kidney yin and clear heat and resolve dampness
In plain language:
- Help nourish Kidney yin, which may ease discomfort such as aching and weakness in the lower back and knees, dizziness, tinnitus, or hot flashes and night sweats.
- Help clear internal heat and resolve dampness, which may ease symptoms such as a heavy feeling in the body, scanty, dark urine, or swelling in the lower limbs.
|Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Refer to the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Editorial Board of the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine. Summary of the symposium on the classification, treatment, and diagnostic criteria for primary glomerular diseases[J]. Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, 1993, 32: 131.
- Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China. Guiding Principles for Clinical Research on New Traditional Chinese Medicines[S]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2002.
- Li Xueling, Zhong Yifei. Advances in the treatment of chronic urinary tract infection with traditional Chinese medicine[J]. Clinical Research, 2016, (33): 101–104.
- Liu Meiyun, Ma Xiaoli, Xue Huiling, et al. Ningmitai capsules for the treatment of chronic urinary tract infection during pregnancy[J]. Chinese Journal of Surgery of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2016, (3): 286–287.
- Zhou Lei, Han Jie, Gao Suqiang. Rational use of Chinese patent medicines for urinary system diseases[J]. Capital Medicine, 2011, (10): 41–43.