Colloidal Silver for Bladder Infections

Bladder infections, also known as urinary tract infections, can cause discomfort and sometimes pain. Caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract and then the bloodstream, bladder infections should be treated to prevent possible complications. Although a course of antibiotics can be successful in treating a bladder infection, another viable treatment option is colloidal silver.

What is Colloidal Silver

• Colloidal silver is marketed as a natural dietary supplement that can be used to treat infections, such as bladder infections, without the negative side effects posed by antibiotics. Colloidal silver is mineral particles that are suspended in pure water. According to Herbal Remedies, "One of the properties of silver is that it kills certain bacteria on contact in six minutes or less." Colloidal silver is sold in ingestible or spray liquid form. It can also be used in gardens to destroy bacteria on plants.

Symptoms of Bladder Infections

• Recognizing the symptoms of a bladder infection can help in determining the proper course of treatment. According to WebMD, symptoms can include burning or pain during urination, the urge to urinate frequently with little or no success, lack of ability to control the release of urine, a heavy feeling in the abdomen, urine that is tinted with a red or pinkish color, urine that is cloudy or foul-smelling, flank pain, fever, chills, and nausea. Not all symptoms need to be present in order to have a bladder infection, and sometimes no symptoms are present at all.

Colloidal Silver for Bladder Infections

• While antibiotics are typically prescribed for bladder infections, they tend to kill all bacteria, good and bad, in the body. When antibiotics are overused, they tend to lose their effectiveness as well. Colloidal silver is a natural alternative to antibiotics. According to Herbal Remedies, "unlike many antibiotics, silver helps kill only the bacteria that are anaerobic." Therefore, with colloidal silver, only the negative bacteria are destroyed and the good bacteria remain in the body.

How to Take Colloidal Silver

• According to Herbal Remedies, colloidal silver is a natural supplement that is effective in killing viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Colloidal silver can be taken during the course of bladder infection treatment, or everyday as a way to prevent overall infection. Adults can take up to 1 tsp. two times a day, and children should consume no more than ½ tsp. once per day.

Risks of Colloidal Silver

• Herbal Remedies notes the risk of skin discoloration that can occur from high dosage colloidal silver consumption. To help reduce this risk, it is recommended to add in acidophilus into the diet, which will help with the elimination process of colloidal silver. It is important to note that colloidal silver is a dietary supplement and has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration; therefore it lacks the proper studies to verify its effectiveness in treating any illness, including bladder infections. Pregnant women should consult a physician before consuming colloidal silver, or any supplement.