Chlamydia

Overview

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is named after a class of microorganisms that target the genital area and the lymph nodes which surround them. Chlamydia is easily the most common form of sexually transmitted disease, with as many as eight million new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Overall, chlamydia affects women more often than men. The health risks posed by chlamydia are also typically more severe for women, and for babies born to mothers affected with the disease.

Chlamydia is usually transmitted through sexual contact with a partner infected with the STD, however, it is also transmitted without sex, for example from an infected mother to her newborn child.

Note: Chlamydia in both women and men should be treated immediately. Due to the many parameters and potential problems related to any type of sexually transmitted disease, a trained health professional should be consulted if an infection is suspected. In the case of any STD, you should determine if antibiotics or additional pharmaceutical drugs are necessary or if natural remedies on their own will be sufficient.

Symptoms of Chlamydia

The primary symptoms of chlamydia are lesions which occur within the genitals with accompanying irritation in the lymph nodes which surround the genital region, including the inner thigh region. However, oftentimes, chlamydia does not have any noticeable symptoms. This poses a specific health threat to newborn infants of mothers with chlamydia. Left untreated, chlamydia can result in infertility and tubal pregnancies, in addition to premature birth and infant death. Newborns and infants may also develop pneumonia, and ear infections due to chlamydia.

Although chlamydia can infect the cervix, urethra, ovaries, and throat, it typically attacks the upper vaginal tract. This area includes the fallopian pipes, endometrium (lining of the womb), and pelvic peritoneum (coating of the pelvis). It is not surprising that the most common signs of chlamydia are pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Each year, chlamydia causes approximately 50% of PID incidents. Symptoms of both chlamydia and PID consist of vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, changes in urination, and fever. These symptoms ranges from mild to very severe.

Caution: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can be serious and life-threatening. Therefore, correct diagnosis and prompt medical care is very important.

In men, chlamydia primarily impacts the urethra and the epididymis, which is the main excretory duct of the testicles. Chlamydia is actually the number one reason for urethritis, the most common STD impacting men. As with women, chlamydia often displays no symptoms and is consequently difficult to treat. When signs and symptoms are present, they include discharge from the penis, urethral itching, and/or changes in urination. Chlamydia that impacts the epididymis is usually characterized by pain in a single side of the scrotum, in addition to swelling. This can range from mild to extremely serious.

Prevention Guidelines

As with all sexually transmitted diseases, the most effective response to chlamydia is avoidance. To avoid chlamydia, do these:

Be careful choosing a sex partner and find out about his or her health and sexual history prior to engaging in a sexual relationship. Have sex only if the person doesn’t have apparent symptoms of infection and is prepared to assure your protection throughout sexual intimacy. Be prepared to talk and ask about previous experiences. Be direct and persistent. Make conversations regarding health a natural part of the sexual relationship.

Limit the number of people you have sex with. The chance of contracting an STD increases exponentially in direct relation to how many sexual companions you have.

Avoid sex altogether if your partner exhibits open lesions or swelling on his or her body.

Always practice safe sexual intercourse. Men must always use a latex condom, especially when engaging in sexual intercourse with someone new. As an alternative, ladies can think about the use of a latex female condom. When engaging in oral sex, use a latex dental dam. Long-term, monogamous sexual partners should also use some form of protective contraceptive unless planning a pregnancy.

Avoid swallowing semen, as it acts as an immune depressant and thus can increase the risk of STDs brought on by infectious organisms.

Avoid anal sex, particularly without protection.

Urinate after sexual intercourse to help thoroughly clean the urethra and prevent infection. This pertains to both men and women.

Schedule an annual checkup to be screened for STDs that you may not know you have.

If you know that you have a STD, be responsible. Inform your partner and insist that he or she be examined and treated as well. Follow the treatment program that your doctor prescribes as completely as you possibly can, and always use protection if you engage in sex.

Natural Cures

In order to best treat chlamydia, it is necessary to increase the circulation of blood and oxygen to the impacted areas. Doing so helps to reduce inflammation and increases your body’s ability to fight infection via enhanced immune function. The following natural cures are effective approaches for attaining all of these goals.

Diet: During the initial, acute phase, and during periods of severe pain, a light diet plan consisting primarily of clean organic fruits and vegetables is recommended. In addition, drink plenty of pure, filtered water. Follow this diet for at least 3-5 days. Afterwards, emphasize a diet of fresh, natural foods, with plenty of vegetables and fruit, complex carbohydrates, and free-range, organic meats and chicken. Wild-caught- seafood such as sardines or salmon, are also highly recommended because they are rich with essential fatty acids. Additionally, be sure to reduce your alcohol intake to no more than 1 glass of red wine or beer per day.

Avoid all commercial and processed meals, as well as caffeine, salt, harmful fats, sugars, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, food dyes, milk and dairy products, and wheat products. Also be screened for food allergic reactions, as these can reduce immune performance.

For the complete whole foods eating plan to heal and eliminate all unbalances and disease, connect to the entire article: Whole-foods Diet. Often, a raw eating plan can be very beneficial. For more information, read Raw Food Diet Plan.

Fasting: A three day water fast can help to reduce pain caused by chlamydia while at the same time boosting immune function. Be sure the water you consume is pure and strained. If you are unable to tolerate a water fast, try fasting on fresh squeezed, organic fruit and vegetable juices as a wholesome alternative.

Herbs: The most effective herbal remedy for dealing with chlamydia is goldenseal. Berberine, goldenseal’s active ingredient, has been found to be effective for eliminating chlamydia and other unwanted organisms without further outbreaks even when conventional medicines fail to do so. In addition, goldenseal can boost the effectiveness of drug treatments when they’re necessary.

Additional useful herbs for treating chlamydia include chimaphilla, cranberry extract, Echinacea, and saw palmetto extract berries.

Homeopathy: Pulsatilla as well as podophyllum are helpful homeopathic remedies.

Juicing: The juices of celery, carrots, cranberry, cucumber, grapes, parsley, pomegranate, and watermelon are all recommended. Juices made from green vegetables are also recommended.

Nutritional Supplements: Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and zinc oxide are effective because of their proven ability to boost normal immune function.

Optional Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite following the remedies listed above, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following expert treatments can also assist in treating chlamydia: Ayurveda, Detoxing Therapy, Power Medicine, Environmental Medicine, Magnetic Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Orthomolecular Medicine, Oxygen Therapy, as well as traditional Chinese Medicine. (See Glossary for descriptions of these optional therapies).

Quick Action Plan for Chlamydia

Print and evaluate the above Prevention Guidelines.

Perform a three-day water or fruit and vegetable juice fast at the first indication of symptoms and to combat severe pain.

Eat lightly, especially during the initial phase and throughout periods of pain, restricting your food consumption to clean fruits and vegetables for 3-5 days. Afterwards, emphasize a diet of fresh, natural foods, with plenty of vegetables and fruit, complex carbohydrates, free-range, organic meats and poultry, wild-caught fish, and plenty of fresh filtered water.

Avoid all commercial, prepared, and nonorganic food, as well as alcohol, espresso, sugar, sugar substitutes, preservatives, food dyes, milk and milk products, and whole wheat products.

Get screened for food allergies.

Drink plenty of organic, clean fresh fruit and vegetable juices, such as apple juice, carrot juice, and cranberry juice.

The herb goldenseal is particularly effective for managing chlamydia.

To ensure complete long-term recovery, work with a competent holistic health professional.