Top 10 Things To Know About Urinary Tract Infections
Did you know that cranberries can be more than just another side dish on the dinner table? They actually contain compounds that can help prevent recurring urinary tract infections . UTI is the most common bacterial infection occurring in the kidney transplant recipient, particularly in the first few months post-transplant. The major risk factors for UTI in the kidney transplant recipient include bladder catheters, handling and trauma to the kidney and ureter during surgery, anatomic abnormalities of the native or transplanted kidneys and immunosuppression medication. But there are steps you can take to prevent and treat these infections. As part of a new educational partnership, the National Kidney Foundation and the Cranberry Marketing Committee have compiled a list of the top 10 most important facts about UTIs.
How Can I Clean My Urinary System
Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated will flush out your system and can help you prevent kidney stones and UTIs. You can try drinking cranberry juice to ward off a UTI. Compounds in cranberries may stop bacteria from growing. Eat a healthy diet: Low sodium, high-calcium foods may prevent kidney stones.
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.
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Foods To Avoid When Treating A Uti
If youâre suffering from a Urinary Tract Infection , you need to make sure youâre following the proper procedures to alleviate as much pain as possible. This means that you need to watch what you put in your body, because certain elements can cause problems for you. From drinks to actual foods, weâre going to tell you about what you should avoid.
Caffeine. Itâs a single word, but it is everywhere in most diets. Coffee and soda are leading culprits when it comes to making life miserable with UTI. The reason being is that caffeine can increase the rate at which you urinate, which has two problems associated with it. If you proceed to urinate frequently, youâre bound to experience slight dehydration in your body, resulting in salts in your urine. These salts can irritate the bladder, and worsen the symptoms of UTI. On the other hand, you may find yourself holding back the desire to urinate. If you are in this category, you run the risk of increased bacteria in the bladder. Water and cranberry juice are the two most beneficial things you can drink, as they flush bacteria from your system with little to no irritation.
Sugar is a great food source for bacteria, but not good to eat when you have a UTI! You should avoid sugary foods such as cookies, soda, chips, candy, cake and foods with starch.
For more information on how your diet effects cancer, click here.
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Claim: A Less Acidic Body Is Better
The main claim by alkaline water manufactures is that a less acidic, more alkaline body, is better or healthier. The human body mostly regulated by the lungs and kidneys maintains a healthy balance between acidity and alkalinity. The standard normal pH is kept in a tight range of 7.35 to 7.45.
Any extreme change in pH acidotic or alkaline can be dangerous, but the body will quickly work to compensate. However, the gastrointestinal and urinary systems do function at a more acidotic level at baseline in order to perform important tasks and to protect us from infection.
We know that a more alkaline urine increases the chances of a bacterial infection taking hold and causing a urinary tract infection. Thus, there is actually a strong reason to ensure that the urine stays more naturally acidic. Newer research has actually challenged that conventional wisdom, in fact. Urine samples closer to the neutral pH of pure water actually showed a higher level of the protein siderocalin. Siderocalin prevents bacterial growth in the urine by blocking the ability of microorganisms to acquire iron.
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Alkaline Water And Bladder Health
I have been drinking alkaline water for a few months now and Im also getting UTIs every month, witch it was never common before. I would usually get one infection a year maybe two.Could the water be affecting my bladder in a negative way? Can it also be bad for my kidneys?
I take antibiotics every UTI and the inflection goes away but after a week or two itll come back
I do need to mention that I have an overactive bladder and urgency also.
Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Kidney & Bladder group.
UTIs can be complicated so a consult with a urologist would generally be recommended at this point. My quick review of a connection with alkaline water suggests the opposite in terms of UTIs, but Im unsure. What else has changed for you? Anything different besides the alkaline water? Has the urine been cultured and shown the same organism? Good luck with this irritating problem and please give any followup especially if you find an answer.
Hi @mariaguinle, I agree with @bcs123456 that alkaline water and urinary tract infections may not be related. UTIs can be persistent and recurrent.
Is alkaline water better for you than plain water? | Mayo Clinic Alkaline Water: Benefits and Risks
What Is Urinary Tract Infection
The urinary tract comprises of organs which are involved in making and transporting urine out of the body. These organs include a pair of kidneys and ureters, a bladder, and a urethra.
A urinary tract infection is therefore, an infection of any or a combination of these organs. In 90% of the cases, infection can be caused due to bacteria called E.coli or Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
These bacteria are either neutral or beneficial until it stays in the digestive tract however when it migrates to urinary tract, it causes infection.
In some cases, it can be caused due to fungi or other common bacteria that causes UTI are Klebsiella species, and Proteus species.
Symptoms of UTI include lower abdominal pain, flank pain, bloody urine, or fever. However, sometimes you might have no symptom at all, which is described as asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Nowâ¦You might be wondering how these bacteria gain access to urinary organs.
There are few conditions that can help the bacteria or fungus to access the organs and cause an infection.
- Sexual intercourse
We will discuss in detail regarding these factors later in the articleâ¦
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About Urinary Tract Infection Meal Plan
UTI is a bacterial infection which infects the entire urinary tract consisting of urinary bladder, ureter, and urethra. Some are caused by microbes and viruses too. Most probable symptoms can be fever, abdominal pain, burning sensation during urination etc. It can be cured by proper medication as prescribed by the doctor with proper antibiotics and following an UTI diet plan lest the bacteria should enter the bloodstream causing more severe infection. It is generally self-diagnosable.
If you are suffering from UTI infection and need a diet plan to control along with medication then you can follow a diet plan that includes nutrition-rich food items. This diet plan is used to prevent urinary tract infection, Here we listed course meal for a person which can be easily followed.
You can easily buy food items listed in the diet meal plan in your local markets. We also list those food items should be avoided during UTI infection. While following this Indian diet meal plan, also follow these lifestyle changes and habits helpful in recovery from this infection.
In this diet chart which list food items that can be easily consumed by UTI patients and lower the consumption of sugary food or drinks which could increase the infection.
To overcome the weakness and lessen the infection nutritious food should be consumed as:
Can Drinking Alkaline Water Keep You Extra
Can trendy alkaline water cure what ails you?
Water is natures perfect beverage. Hydrating, calorie-free, and readily available, the simple drink is as good as it gets for ensuring proper functioning of all your bodys organs. But what if there was a different water, an even more hydrating liquid that goes farther to keep you healthy and thriving?
Thats the premise behind alkaline water, a version of H2O with a pH level higher than 7. .The thinking is this: Maintaining a bodily pH level of 7.4 is key to optimum health. Because so many foods in the modern diet are considered acidic, drinking water with a higher pH than normal can help your body stay alkaline and disease-free, improving all aspects of health. Proponents call it a better form of hydration, and some drink alkaline water exclusively.
The water comes in two forms: natural alkaline water, gathered from areas like Hawaiis volcanic regions, or artificial alkaline water, which is ionized by a machine or made by adding an alkalizing salt to normal water.
Where The Trend Began:
But for all its celebrity sparkle and dramatic claims, can drinking alkaline water actually make you any healthier?
What The Science Says:
As for whether water thats naturally alkaline is any better than water thats artificially alkalized, Goldfarb doesnt see the evidence. Theres no difference between natural and unnatural alkalineit really doesnt matter.
The Verdict:
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Study Reveals Pomegranate Juice Effective In Fighting Bacteria
NEW YORK Recent preliminary research by Milton Schiffenbauer, PhD, a biology professor at PaceUniversity in New York, indicates that 100 percent pomegranate juice and POMx liquid extract , made from the Wonderful variety of pomegranate grown in California, have antiviral and antibiotic effects. His findings were introduced May 22 at the American Society for Microbiologys annual meeting in Toronto in a presentation titled, The Inactivation of Virus and Destruction of Bacteria by Pomegranate Juice.
In this exploratory study, Schiffenbauer tested 100 percent pomegranate juice and POMx liquid extract and the effect each had on a bacterial virus T1 and several bacteria over various periods of time, in various conditions and with the addition of other ingredients. The titer of T1 virus which infects E.coli B decreased up to 100 percent within 10 minutes of the addition of 100 percent pomegranate juice or POMx liquid extract. The research was funded by PaceUniversity and POM Wonderful LLC, and was conducted using POM Wonderful pomegranate products.
The addition of the POM products to various oral agents, including toothpaste and mouthwash, gave these agents an antimicrobial effect.
This work comes on the heels of earlier studies conducted by Schiffenbauer that found that white tea and green tea extracts also have antimicrobial effects. According to Schiffenbauer, pomegranate has achieved even better results than the teas.
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How Alkaline Water Helps With Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are a serious problem for people, both young and old. Once they begin the process of moving through the urinary tract they can cause debilitating pain for the sufferer. If you experience kidney problems frequently, incorporating alkaline water may help reduce the formation of stones and bring you relief.
What is Alkaline Water?
The pH of water is determined by the amount of free hydrogen and hydroxyl ions that are present. The more free hydrogen ions in the water, the more acidic it is and the more free hydroxyl ions, the more basic the water is. Alkaline water is formed when waters pH level is raised to seven or greater. Environments with a pH level less than seven are considered acidic. Dont be fooled by regular tap water, it is usually considered acidic and does not have the health benefits of water that is alkaline.
How It Can Help with Kidney Stones
Added Benefits of Alkaline Water
A diet consisting of alkaline water and better food choices is imperative for optimal health. Not only can it prevent and help eliminate kidney stones, other additional benefits include weight management and cancer prevention.
Contact us for more information about our alkaline water products or find a Peak Alkalinity location near you.
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Does Yogurt Help Uti In Dogs
Supplementation with B vitamins and antioxidants in times of stress, as well as offering cooling foods such as raw fruits, vegetables, and yogurt to reduce the symptoms of urinary tract infection. Foods that are known to aggravate UTIs include asparagus, spinach, raw carrots, tomatoes, and dairy products.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection
These are the most common symptoms of a UTI:
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Urine looks dark, cloudy, or reddish in color
- Urine smells bad
- Feeling pain even when not urinating
- Pain in the back or side, below the ribs
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Despite an strong urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed
- Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone
The symptoms of UTI may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see a health care provider for a diagnosis.
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Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
The most often complained about symptom is painful urination. Sometimes frequent urination and the urge to urinate is present. When the infection is in the kidney, there may be flank pain.
In the young and the elderly, the symptoms are often non-specific or vague. Because the elderly and young fail to consume adequate water, they are at greater risk.
Cream Of Tartar And Lemon
Cream of tartar balances the pH level of the urine which makes an inhospitable environment for bacterial growth. Adding a bit of lemon juice into it can make a powerful drink to fight off urinary tract infection.
How to Use it?
- Add 1 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar into a cup of warm water.
- Add a dash of lemon or lime juice into it.
- Stir well and consume it.
- Repeat 1 â 2 times in a day.
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Mechanism Of Action Against Human Norovirus Surrogates
In order to understand the mechanism of action, the host cell monolayers for the respective viruses were treated with pomegranate juice and polyphenols prior to or after infection, where reduced infectivity of FCV-F9 and MNV-1 was obtained . Greater effects in titer reduction were observed when the treatment was performed prior to infection than after infection , suggesting that pomegranate juice and its polyphenols may play a role in preventing virus binding to the host cell receptors by blocking the cell surface receptors or the virus surface ligands. It was postulated that further work using transmission electron microscopy may determine if these polyphenols cause structural damage to the virus or virus capsid.
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Is Coconut Water More Hydrating Than Water
Some evidence suggests that coconut water is comparable to sports drinks. But its no more hydrating than plain water. As a casual beverage, coconut water is considered safe. Coconut water does have calories 45 to 60 calories in an 8-ounce serving.
Unsweetened coconut waterSweetened coconut waterSugar9.5 grams18 grams
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How Do Doctors Cure Uti
Before commencing treatment for a urinary tract infection, your doctor may suggest for some investigations to diagnose the presence of infection.
These investigations include urinalysis, which involves using a multi-colored strip to detect changes in the chemical components of urine, it also involves visualizing the small particles and cells in the urine under a microscope.
Other investigations include urine culture to know which organism is responsible for the infection, and complete blood count to see if the infection had become complicated.
After investigations, once the UTI is confirmed, the doctor would place you on antibiotics, which are the mainstay for the treatment of UTI.
Examples of these antibiotics include penicillins, ciprofloxacin,Bactrim, gentamycin, and nitrofurantoin. Your doctor would write a prescription of these medications either in single or in combination. It is always advisable that you take it for the complete duration even if you feel your symptoms have subsided.