Are Grapes Good For Urinary Tract Infection

Potential Health Benefits Of Grape Juice

Like the fruit its made from, grape juice is a fat-free and cholesterol-free source of vitamins and minerals. It’s a low-sodium beverage, too.

Here are some benefits to drinking grape juice:

Reduced Risk of Disease

Grape juice contains high levels of antioxidants, which can help protect the body from free radicals. Free radicals are harmful substances, such as pollution or the chemicals in processed food. The damage they cause to cells can contribute to the development of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases. Antioxidants may help prevent or even reverse this damage.

Juices made from Concord or purple grapes may be better for disease risk reduction. Concord and purple grapes naturally have higher antioxidant activities than other varieties of the fruit.

Improved Heart Health

Early research shows that red and purple grape juices may promote cardiovascular health in some of the same ways as red wine. Similar benefits of red wine and grape juice include protecting blood vessels, decreasing the risk of blood clots, and maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Lower Blood Pressure

The potassium found in grape juice can benefit people with high blood pressure by helping the body get rid of excess sodium. Potassium can also lower blood pressure by relaxing the walls of your blood vessels.

Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections

Continued

Do I Really Need To Take Antibiotics For A Uti

In most cases, it makes sense to start antibiotics if you know you have a bacterial UTI since this is the only way to treat it.

While it is possible for a UTI to go away on its own, this doesnt always happen. Plus, youll still have to deal with uncomfortable UTI symptoms like pain during urination while waiting to see if the UTI will go away. And if it doesnt, the infection can travel up your urinary tract and cause a more serious infection in your kidneys called pyelonephritis. If youre pregnant, have underlying health conditions, or are older than 65 years old, you should not try to treat a UTI without antibiotics.

Causes Of Kidney Infection

Pyelonephritis is more common among women than men. Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria normally in the large intestine, causes about 90% of cases of pyelonephritis among people who are not hospitalized or living in a nursing home. Infections usually ascend from the genital area through the urethra to the bladder, up the ureters, into the kidneys. In a person with a healthy urinary tract, an infection is usually prevented from moving up the ureters into the kidneys by the flow of urine washing organisms out and by closure of the ureters at their entrance to the bladder. However, any physical blockage to the flow of urine, such as a structural abnormality, kidney stone, or an enlarged prostate gland, or the backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureters increases the likelihood of pyelonephritis.

The risk of pyelonephritis is increased during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the enlarging uterus puts pressure on the ureters, which partially obstructs the normal downward flow of urine. Pregnancy also increases the risk of reflux of urine up the ureters by causing the ureters to dilate and reducing the muscle contractions that propel urine down the ureters into the bladder. Occasionally, a catheter that remains in the bladder can cause pyelonephritis by allowing bacteria to enter or remain in the bladder.

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Can A Urinary Tract Infection Be Prevented

Many methods have been suggested to reduce or prevent UTIs. The single most important prevention measure is increased fluid intake. Many people develop UTIs simply because they do not drink enough fluids. Some of these are considered home remedies and have been discussed . There are other suggestions that may help prevent UTIs. Good hygiene for males and females is useful. For females, wiping from front to back helps keep pathogens that may reside or pass through the anal opening away from the urethra. For males, retracting the foreskin before urinating reduces the chance of urine lingering at the urethral opening and acting as a culture media for pathogens. Incomplete bladder emptying and resisting the normal urge to urinate can allow pathogens to survive and replicate easier in a non-flowing system. Some clinicians recommend washing before and urinating soon after sex to reduce the chance of urethritis and cystitis. Many clinicians suggest that anything that causes a person irritation in the genital area may encourage UTI development. Wearing underwear that is somewhat adsorptive may help wick away urine drops that otherwise may be areas for pathogen growth.

What Can I Do If I Have Bladder Pain From Foods

Living with bladder irritation can be uncomfortable. But you can take steps to remove irritants from your diet and reduce pain. Avoid foods that irritate your bladder, and remember that water is important. Drinking enough water helps you feel more comfortable after you eat foods that irritate your bladder.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bladder discomfort can be frustrating and even embarrassing. Conditions like IC can make you feel like you need to pee even after youve already gone to the bathroom, and your bladder can hurt a lot. But you can get help to reduce irritation. Talk to your healthcare provider about your bladder irritation and possible food and drink causes.

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Foods Your Bladder Will Fall In Love With

If you have a sensitive bladder, you will not have to miss out on tasty foods this fall. The key is to know which foods are more likely to irritate your bladder and which ones are more likely to soothe. In general, you will want to avoid coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomato-based products, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods. Read on to learn about 10 bladder-friendly foods.

Potential Risks Of Grape Juice

Grape juice offers many health benefits but is high in natural sugar and calories. Some people may need to be especially careful with the beverage and only drink it in moderation.

High Blood Sugar

Grape juice contains natural sugars, not the artificial sweeteners or refined sugar found in soda. However, one cup of grape juice contains 36 grams of sugar and almost no fiber, so it can cause your blood sugar to spike.

If you have diabetes or need to watch your blood sugar for any reason, ask your doctor whether you need to avoid or reduce your typical serving of fruit juice. Whole grapes may be a better option, as they contain fiber and may not be as likely to cause a rise in blood sugar.

Weight Gain

Grape juice can be a healthy alternative when trying to kick the soda habit. High-calorie drinks like fruit juice are easy to overdo, though, so consider portion size when pouring a glass. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends limiting juice to a half-cup serving per day.

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Are There Any Complications From A Kidney Infection

Most people who develop a kidney infection make a full recovery if treatment is given promptly. Possible complications which occur in a small number of cases include:

• Sometimes germs from a kidney infection get into the bloodstream, particularly if treatment is delayed. This may cause blood poisoning . This can be serious or even life-threatening.
• In pregnant women who develop pyelonephritis occasionally, it may result in the baby being born early or with a lower birth weight.
• A kidney abscess can develop. This is a collection of pus that forms within the kidney.
• The infection can sometimes cause some permanent damage to kidney tissues.

These complications are uncommon but may be more likely if:

• You become severely ill with the kidney infection.
• You have kidney stones.
• Your immune system is suppressed for example, if you have cancer, if you are taking medication such as steroids or chemotherapy, or if you have AIDS.
• You have poorly controlled diabetes.
• You are an older person .
• You are pregnant.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is also a rare complication. In this condition the kidney tissues are rapidly destroyed by the infection and the bacteria can release toxic gases which can build up in the kidneys. You become very unwell if you develop this complication. This complication seems mostly to affect people who have poorly controlled diabetes.

Foods That Are Great For Bladder Health

Your bladder is an important part of the urinary tract system. Its an essential pear-shaped organ made out of expandable components that holds on to urine until its expelled from your body. The bladder itself is quite impressive and is able to stretch from about two inches to over six inches long, depending on the amount of liquid its holding.1 In a typical person, your bladder will reach capacity when it fills up with about 16-24 ounces of urine, but most people start to feel the urge to urinate when it is only 25% full.1 At this point, your body starts to send nerve signals to the brain indicating that its time to find a restroom. When you proceed to use the bathroom, there is a mixture of voluntary and involuntary muscles working to lead urine from the bladder, through the urethra, and out of the body.

Your bladder works hand-in-hand with your kidneys to filter fluid and wastes from the bloodstream. They are the primary parts of the urinary tract system. The . When your bladder isnt functioning properly, it can lead to a number of problems.

Choosing Healthier Drinks

Different Types of Tea

Certain Fruit Juices

Lemon Enhanced Water

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Artificial Sweeteners May Worsen Bladder Symptoms

When you’re trying to cut calories at every corner, artificial sweeteners may seem like a healthy replacement for sugar. But if you’ve got a urinary tract infection, its possible that your bladder infection symptoms may worsen if you use artificial sweeteners. While one study found that artificial sweeteners worsened bladder symptoms in people with chronic interstitial cystitis, there’s no real proof they irritate the bladder when you have a simple UTI. But if these fake sweeteners bother you, skip them.

Food Guide To Acidify Urine:

Foods to Avoid Eating:

Vegetables: Potatoes, Lima Beans, Soybeans, Beet Greens, Parsnips, Spinach, Dried vegetables. Three servings saily of any vegetable except those not allowed. Corn, white beans and lentils are good.

Salads: Any fruit or vegetable salad made of foods allowed, served with oil and vinegar dressing.

Meats, Poultry, Fish, Eggs: At least two large servings of any kind, especially chicken, duck, lean beef and eggs.

Carbohydrates: White or brown rice, noodles, macaroni, spaghetti

Nuts: Almonds, Chestnuts

Cereals: One or more servings, dry or cooked, preferably whole grains or enriched

Breads: Four or more sliced preferably whole grain or enriched. Crackers are OK if salt is not a problem.

Daily excessive amounts of milk products including malts and milk shakes. Not more than one pint of milk, and three ounces of cream or cheese, especially cottage cheese, cream cheese gruyere, gorgonzola cheddar or swiss.

Fruits: Cantaloupe, raisins, dates, figs, dried fruits, except prunes, citrus fruits. Two small servings of any fruit except those not allowed. Prunes, plums and cranberries can be eaten freely.

Juices: Citrus fruit juices such as orange, lemon, lime and tomato juice. Prune, plum, cranberry.

Beverages: Flavored sodas, fruit flavored drinks

Desserts: Cake, without fruit, plum tarts, rice custard, bread pudding, cookies, tapioca pudding, custard pies

Others: White sugar, olives, molasses, and coconut, barley

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How Can I Get Free Urine Flow

Go with the Flow

What To Eat During A Uti

Medically reviewed by Dr. Nick Rosen, MD on February 1st, 2021

A burning sensation, abdominal pain, and cloudy urine are all signs of a potential urinary tract infection . This uncomfortable infection can affect any part of your urinary systemkidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethrahowever, most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract . The painful symptoms of a UTI are not only annoying, but they can also be dangerousleading to serious consequences if the infection reaches the kidneys. The first step to feeling better is contacting a doctor, but there are some ways you may be able to relieve UTI symptoms in addition to following a professional care plan. Before we get into foods and drinks for UTIs, lets cover some basics:

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Serious Side Effects Of Nitrofurantoin

The following side effects are rare, but serious, and require immediate medical attention:

• Severe stomach pain
• Weakness, numbness, or pain in the hands, feet, arms, or legs
• Diarrhea that is watery or bloody or continues even after stopping the medication
• Visual disturbances
• Cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing accompanied by fever or chills
• Pale skin color with weakness
• Clay-colored stools along with dark urine
• Joint pain or swelling accompanied by a fever, swollen glands, and muscle pain
• Swelling, redness, or pain in the lower jaw
• Increased pressure inside the skull causing severe headaches, ringing in the ears, dizziness, nausea, or vision problems
• Pain in the upper abdominal region, possibly spreading to the back with nausea or vomiting, dark urine, and jaundice these are signs of possible serious problems with liver or pancreas functioning
• Inflammation, redness, and peeling of the skin
• Severe skin rash and blisters
• Additional infections caused by microorganisms that are resistant to nitrofurantoin
• Reduced levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in the blood
• Bulging soft spots on a newborns skull

Acidic Fruits Can Worsen Symptoms Of A Bladder Infection

Fruit may be an essential part of a healthy diet, but fruits containing a lot of acid can irritate the bladder and worsen your UTI symptoms. So try to avoid lemons, oranges, grapefruits, and tomatoes when you’re treating a UTI. Other fruits that may cause bladder irritation and worsen a urinary tract infection include apples, peaches, grapes, plums, strawberries, and pineapple. You should also steer clear of juices made from these fruits.

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Misconception: Drinking Buckets Of Cranberry Juice Can Cure And Even Prevent Bladder Infections

Actually: You may enjoy the taste but it wont cure and, probably, wont prevent recurrence.

This purported remedy is centuries old and there is a considerable amount of research investigating it. While some studies suggest that cranberry may reduce repeated infections in younger women, it is certainly not a treatment for an active case. The gold standard for treatment is antibiotics. Sometimes doctors just recommend rest and ibuprofen.

I was hoping it would work, said Dr. Manisha Juthani-Mehta, an infectious disease specialist at the Yale School of Medicine, and the lead author of a study published Thursday in the journal JAMA, which showed no reduction in urinary tract infections for female nursing home patients who took standardized, high-dose cranberry capsules the equivalent of 20 ounces of juice daily for a year.

Im not sure its worth spending money on, particularly for patients on a fixed income, she said.

In a strongly worded editorial also in JAMA, Dr. Lindsay E. Nicolle, an expert on urinary tract infections, or UTIs, at the University of Manitoba, concluded that the evidence is convincing that cranberry products should not be recommended as a medical intervention for the prevention of UTI. She added that clinicians should not be promoting cranberry use by suggesting that there is proven, or even possible, benefit.

She concluded, It is time to move on from cranberries.

Data Collection And Analysis

Two authors independently assessed and extracted data. Information was collected on methods, participants, interventions and outcomes . Risk ratios were calculated where appropriate, otherwise a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.

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Diet And Uric Acid Stones

Avoid these foods if you have uric acid stones:

• Alcohol
• Legumes
• Mushrooms
• Organ meats
• Sardines

Other suggestions for your diet include:

• Do not eat more than 3 ounces of meat at each meal.
• Avoid fatty foods such as salad dressings, ice cream, and fried foods.
• Eat enough carbohydrates.
• Eat more lemons and oranges, and drink lemonade because the citrate in these foods stops stones from forming.
• Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water.

If you are losing weight, lose it slowly. Quick weight loss may cause uric acid stones to form.