Benefits Of Cranberry Supplements
Cranberry supplements may help prevent and treat urinary tract infections, help strengthen your urinary tract walls, and support your overall immune system so you’re at a lower risk of infection. Cranberry naturally contains high levels of antioxidants that help fight free radicals and their oxidative damage. It also contains vitamin C which is known for its immune-boosting properties.
Some brands add vitamin C and other micronutrients to further enrich their products and help protect your overall health and well-being.
Herbs And Natural Supplements For Utis
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common types of bacterial infections worldwide. Its estimated that over 150 million people contract UTIs each year .
E. coli is the most common type of bacteria to cause UTIs, although occasionally other types of infectious bacteria may be implicated.
Anyone can develop a UTI, but women are 30 times more likely to be affected than men. Approximately 40% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives .
A UTI can affect any part of the urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys, but it usually starts in organs of the lower urinary tract, bladder, and urethra (
- a burning sensation when you urinate
- frequent and intense urges to urinate
- cloudy, dark, or bloody urine
- fever or fatigue
- pain in your pelvis, lower abdomen, or back
UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, but infection recurrence is very common.
Whats more, the overuse of antibiotics can have long-term negative consequences, such as damage to the normal, healthy bacteria in your urinary tract, and possibly contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria .
If you suspect that you have a UTI, its important to consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible. What may start as a mild infection can quickly become serious and potentially fatal if left untreated for too long.
Here are 8 herbs and natural supplements that may help prevent and treat mild UTIs.
Medicine For Stress Incontinence
If stress incontinence does not significantly improve with lifestyle changes or exercises, surgery will usually be recommended as the next step.
However, if youre unsuitable for surgery or want to avoid an operation, you may benefit from an antidepressant medicine called duloxetine. This can help increase the muscle tone of the urethra, to help keep it closed.
Youll need to take duloxetine tablets twice a day and will be assessed after 2 to 4 weeks to see if the medicine is beneficial or causing any side effects.
Possible side effects of duloxetine can include:
Do not suddenly stop taking duloxetine, as this can also cause unpleasant side effects. A GP will reduce your dose gradually.
Duloxetine is not suitable for everyone, however, so a GP will discuss any other medical conditions you have to determine if you can take it.
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Best Supplements For Urinary Incontinence In 2022
Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control is a phenomenon that occurs commonly in older adults, but it can occur at any age. It is the involuntary or reflexive leakage of urine a problem of an overactive bladder. It occurs when control over your urinary sphincter is weakened or lost.
Some older folks have reported severe cases in which urine leaks when they sneeze or cough. You can easily treat light urinary incontinence at home without surgery or even seeing a medical doctor.
Why Utiva Uti Control Supplement
- 100% natural cranberry but with a high concentration of Soluble Proanthocyanidins â the bioactive molecules from the cranberry.
- 36mg once a day can significantly reduce UTI recurrences and help to maintain a healthy urinary tract.*
- Utiva has 36mg of PACs from 240 mg of cranberry which is a high 15% concentration.
- Utivaâs formulation is recommended on GP & Urology guidelines as of 2019.
- BONUS: Utiva Supplement has removed the Vitamin K and has trace amounts of Oxalates in our formulation which in most cranberry products, may impact blood thinners and kidney stones.
* Howell AB, Botto H, Combescure C, et al. Dosage effect on uropathogenic Escherichia coli anti-adhesion activity in urine following consumption of cranberry powder standardized for proanthocyanidin content: a multicentric randomized double blind study. BMC Infect Dis. 2010 10:94
* Foxman B, Cronenwett AE, Spino C, Berger MB, Morgan DM Cranberry juice capsules and urinary tract infection after surgery: results of a randomized trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 213:194.e1â8
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Risk Factors For Utis
- Gender: Women are more prone to UTIs as compared to men. Although men can also suffer from this health concern due to various reasons.
- Sexual Intercourse: Women who are sexually active are at greater risk of contracting UTIs as compared to inactive women. A new sexual partner can increase the chances of Urinary Infection.
- Catheters: Those men and women who cannot self-urinate are often recommended to use catheters either permanently or temporarily. Prolonged or improper use of catheters can increase the chances of urinary infections.
- Vaginal Abnormalities: Women with vaginal or pelvic abnormalities are prone to contracting infections of urinary tract. Many women use pessaries to manage such defects.
- Diabetes:Type 2 diabetes can potentially cause regular or frequent urinary tract infections.
- Menopause: During menstruation the estrogen levels are balanced but after menopause they start declining which makes your urinary tract more vulnerable to infectants.
- Urostomy: People who have recently gone through a urological surgery are at a higher risk of getting this type of infection.
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Not All Cranberry Supplements Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
By Madeline Kennedy, Reuters Health
5 Min Read
– Taking cranberry supplements has long been recommended to prevent urinary tract infections , but its important to choose the right products, researchers say.
Tests of seven popular cranberry-pill brands in the U.S. showed that most contained too little of the key bacteria-fighting ingredient to have any effect.
There is a lot of variability in quality and efficacy of cranberry supplements, making it difficult for consumers to know which ones will work for them, said lead author Dr. Bilal Chughtai, assistant professor of urology at Weil Cornell Medical College in New York.
UTIs affect some 8 million people each year in the U.S. Approximately half of all women will experience one at some point, Chughtai and his colleagues write in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
UTIs are caused by bacteria and usually treated with antibiotics, but antibiotic overuse and resistance are problematic, so finding effective ways to prevent UTIs is important, the authors write.
Cranberry juice and supplements have long been used to stave off UTIs. They were once thought to prevent the infections by affecting the acidity of urine, the researchers note.
More recent investigations show that cranberries or cranberry juice may actually work because they contain proanthocyanidins antioxidant flavonoids like those found in blueberries, grape seeds and chocolate – which also prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall.
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Best Soft Chew: Vets Preferred Cat Urinary Tract Chews
- Expensive, some cats need 2 pouches per day
Supplements Can Help Support Urinary Health, But They Arent A Substitute For Treatment
Theres no replacement for sound veterinary advice. Whatever problems your cat is experiencing, its important to address the issue with your vet instead of trying to diagnose and treat it yourself.
While most urinary health problems are not life-threatening for cats, they can be extremely uncomfortable even painful and lack of treatment could cause the issue to progress into something more serious. Untreated urinary problems also frequently contribute to behavioral issues like peeing outside the litter box and increased irritability.
Treatment for urinary health concerns varies depending on the specific issue but, on top of treatment, your veterinarian may recommend giving your cat a supplement. Urinary health supplements are intended to support your cats ongoing urinary health and to help remedy or prevent issues that contribute to urinary issues.
Before purchasing a supplement, talk to your vet about what active ingredients to look for so you can be sure youre supporting the critical aspect of your cats urinary health.
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What Is The Urinary Tract
The urinary tract is the bodys drainage system that removes wastes and fluids through urine. There are several parts of the urinary tract that must work together for normal urination to occur.
The urinary tract includes the following:
- Kidneys We have two kidneys that are located right below our rib cage. They are in charge of filtering blood and removing waste. This process balances fluids and produces urine to be removed from the body.
- Ureters These are thin tubes of muscle that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
- Bladder This is a balloon-shaped organ that holds up to two cups of urine.
- Urethra This is the tube that carries urine out of the body during urination.
Urination begins with a signal from the brain, which causes sphincter muscles at the bladders neck to relax and the bladder to tighten. This squeezes urine through the urethra and out of the body. Its important to keep these functioning well, or it can impact the urinary tract system.
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The Best Vitamins And Supplements To Support The Urinary System
Many of us take for granted the routineness of going to the bathroom simply to urinate. Most often were at home, at the office or in school and when we get the urge, we get up and go and dont think much of it. After all, its nature calling. Its a different story, though, for anyone with a urinary system problem such as a urinary tract infection , which usually is accompanied by pain as well as other symptoms that tell us something is wrong.
For anyone suffering from a urinary tract infection, there is nothing routine or normal about it the pain can be sharp and unsettling. Yet, it is a relatively common affliction that affects millions of people every year, per hopkinsmedicine.org, with women much more likely to contract a UTI.
Symptoms of a UTI include:
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Frequent urination
- A strong odor to the urine
- Pain even when not urinating
- Nausea/vomiting
- Pain below the ribs, either in the back or on the sides
- Women might feel discomforting pressure above the pubic bone
Another problem for men is a change in urinary health related to an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , per prostatesupplements.com. When the prostate enlarges, it can press in against the urethra, with that squeezing action hindering the ability to thoroughly empty the bladder, producing residual urine, possibly leading to a UTI.
Can Anything Else Prevent Utis
Doctors arent completely certain why some people experience recurring U.T.I.s and others never have them. Those who frequently contract U.T.I.s are often prescribed low-dose daily antibiotics. For the general population, though, there are simple steps to help protect against these infections.
Basic hygiene is essential: Women should always wipe from front to back after using the toilet, to ensure bacteria from the rectum does not travel near the urethra. For both men and women, it is important to stay hydrated, and to urinate throughout the day dont try to hold it for uncomfortably long stretches, Dr. Higgins said.
During perimenopause and menopause, women may be at higher risk for U.T.I.s as estrogen levels decrease. Topical vaginal estrogen is the gold standard non-antibiotic treatment to prevent recurrent U.T.I.s in this population, Dr. Lowder said.
Theres really no data for it, Dr. Brucker said.
Doctors cautioned against assuming all vaginal irritation or pain is a U.T.I. Common U.T.I. symptoms can also indicate bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections, sexually transmitted infections, urinary incontinence and even bladder cancers. If a patient experiences the symptoms of a U.T.I., and especially if blood is present in their urine, they should seek a medical professional. If you dont have a primary care doctor, urgent care centers can also diagnose U.T.I.s, Dr. Higgins said.
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Natural Ways To Support Urinary Tract Health
Wellness
DISCLAIMER
This blog has not been approved by your local health department and is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Read More
Urinary Tract Infections, or UTIs as they are commonly called, are more common in women than men. In the United States, almost 500,000 people are admitted to the hospital each year due to complications of urinary tract infections. The most common complication is a bacterial infection of the blood. In the United States, almost 11 percent of women reported a urinary tract infection in the previous 12 months. In addition, it is estimated that one in two women will develop at least one urinary tract infection during her lifetime. Worldwide, tens of millions of women get a urinary tract infection each year.
Almost daily, I have at least one or two patients come see me for symptoms related to a urinary infection. Their symptoms include burning during urination, urinary frequency, urgency, back pain and sometimes even incontinence. In those over 65, a urinary infection can cause confusion and sometimes hallucinations, especially if the bacteria enter the bloodstream.
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Anabolic Actions Of Pumpkin Seed Extract
Urinary incontinence worsens after menopause. While menopausal problems are usually associated with estrogen deficit, low levels of testosterone and progesterone are also underlying culprits.
Water-soluble pumpkin seed extract exerts an anabolic effect on the pelvic floor muscles via several mechanisms. By inhibiting the aromatase enzyme, it may make more testosterone available to strengthen the pelvic muscles.5
Secondly, this water-soluble pumpkin seed fraction binds to the androgen receptor on pelvic muscle cells, thus inducing a strengthening effect. This is important because androgen receptors are expressed in the pelvic floor and lower urinary tract in humans.6 By promoting androgenic activity, water-soluble pumpkin seed extract may play an important role in female pelvic floor structural integrity and lower urinary tract disorders.5
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How To Choose Urinary Tract Supplement: The Buying Guide
How do you choose the urinary tract supplement? You must consider many things, such as the brand name, price, and product quality. In addition, you should also consider whether it is suitable for your needs or not.
So how do you choose the right urinary tract supplement? Here are some tips that you can use to help you find a good product:
What you Should Keep in Mind When Buying urinary tract supplement
When shopping for a urinary tract supplement, there are several things to consider. You need to think about the quality of the product, the price, and even how much it will benefit your life. However, you also need to keep these factors in mind:
What Is A Uti
A UTI is a bacterial infection of one or more parts of the urinary system. This system has several components., including:
- Kidneys, which filter waste from your blood
- Ureters, which transport waste from the kidneys to the bladder
- Bladder, which holds urine
- Urethra, the opening in your genitals where you pass urine
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Who Should Try Cranberry Pacs
Cranberry PACs are especially helpful for people who are concerned about their urinary tract health. Additionally, a meta-analysis of over a dozen trials found that cranberry PACs were most effective in women with frequent urinary tract issues.
The good news? Cranberries, whether in whole, juice, or extract form, are considered safe to add to most routines, according to the FDA.
However, theres mixed evidence suggesting that people who are predisposed to kidney stones should avoid excessive amounts of cranberries. Cranberries contain high levels of calcium oxalates, a mineral that when accumulated, can lead to kidney stones. If youre prone to kidney stones, consult your doctor before adding cranberries or cranberry-containing products to your daily routine.
Specimen Collection And Bacterial Identification
Laboratory diagnosis for urinary tract infections are include taking clean catch mid-stream urine from each patient collected into a 20 mL calibrated sterile crew-capped universal container which were distributed to the patients. The specimens were labeled, transported to the laboratory for both general urine examination and culturing. The pathogens were identified and isolated by conventional techniques . A urine culture is positive when 105 CFU/mL of a single pathogen is found in mid-stream urine. Standard loop semi-quantitative technique of inoculation had been used to determine the pathogenic microorganism in significant numbers and un-centrifuged urine in known volume by spread plate method was used. Blood agar and McConkey agar plate were used for isolation of causative organism and incubated for 2448 h at 37 °C . All media were examined aftertimes of incubation, if no growth occurs they were incubated for another 24 h before regarded as negative whereas few samples were identified with VITEK 2 compact system protocols by using these kits: VITEK®2 GN Reference 21341, VITEK®2 GP Reference 21342, VITEK®2 AST-GN69 Reference 413400, VITEK®2 AST-P580 Reference 22233, and VITEK®2 AST-ST01 Reference 410028 .
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