A Note About Cranberry Juice And Utis
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract in supplemental form has long been used as a home remedy for UTIs.
The thought is that the proanthocyanidins in cranberries may help prevent bladder infections by keeping the bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall, says Sonya Angelone, MS, RDN, a nutrition consultant based in San Francisco, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Yet theres scientific controversy over how effective cranberry juice is at preventing UTIs due to conflicting conclusions in studies on the topic, according to an article published in May 2016 in Advances in Nutrition. Some studies have found it might work, while others have found no effect.
Bottom line, there is some evidence it may help, and it doesnt hurt to try it, says Angelone. Just be sure to chose unsweetened cranberry juice . Mix this with sparkling water or plain yogurt, she recommends.
Another low-calorie option choose a cranberry pill that contains d-mannose, she says.
Creating Stronger Strains Of Bacteria
Over time, some species of bacteria have become resistant to traditional antibiotics. According to some research , several species of E. coli, the primary cause of UTIs, are showing increasing drug resistance.
The more a person uses an antibiotic, the greater the risk of the bacteria developing resistance. This is even more likely when people do not follow a doctors instructions to complete the full prescribed course of treatment.
It is essential to continue a course of antibiotics until the end date that the doctor provides. People should also never share antibiotics with others.
Bladder Infections Are Utis
As the Department of Health and Human Services explains, a urinary tract infection, or UTI, can affect any part of the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, ureters or urethra. Women are particularly at risk because of their shorter urethras, which open right next to the anus and vagina both ready sources of bacteria and ultimately allow bacteria quicker access to the bladder.
The HHS warns that one out of every two women will have a UTI at some point in their lives if youre one of them, its perfectly understandable that youd go looking for relief in the form of cherry juice for a bladder infection and other natural remedies for a UTI. However, there is no evidence that cherry juice or any other form of cherry product will help a bladder infection.
If you decide to go ahead and try some form of cherry as a home treatment anyway, talk to your doctor first. If your bladder infection isnt resolved, it can move into your kidneys and produce permanent damage. Also, nutritional supplements can produce unexpected interactions with prescription medications and existing health conditions.
As the Michigan Medicine points out, your doctor may suggest treating the bladder infection with prescription antibiotics and drinking lots of fluids.
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Practice Good Sexual Hygiene
The also says that sexual intercourse introduces bacteria and other microbes from outside the body to the urinary tract. Practicing good sexual hygiene can help to reduce the number of bacteria that people can transfer during intercourse and other sexual acts.
Examples of good sexual hygiene include:
- urinating before and immediately after sex
- using barrier contraception, such as a condom
- washing the genitals, especially the foreskin, before and after engaging in sexual acts or intercourse
- washing the genitals or changing condoms if switching from anal sex to vaginal sex
- ensuring that sexual partners are aware of any current or previous UTIs
Utis And Alcohol: A Guide To The Best And Worst Drinks If You Suffer From Urinary Tract Infections
Most people enjoy going out with their friends for an adult beverage from time to time, and its fairly common to consume a little more alcohol than recommended once in a while. Of course, the majority of folks are quite aware of the potential consequences of drinking too much liquor, wine, or beer both in the short and long term. However, the average person doesnt think about how alcohol can be related to urinary tract infections. For that matter, many different drinks have an effect on the urinary tract, and you might not have any idea and how high the risk is for a UTI.
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When To See A Doctor For Your Uti
If your symptoms persist beyond a few days with no sign of improvement, or if your infection keeps recurring, its best to see a doctor. While many home remedies may ease symptoms if they persist your doctor will be able to determine the cause and prescribe a course of antibiotics that should help take care of your UTI right away and prevent it from leading to a worsening condition or infection.
Have you tried any of the above natural remedies for UTIs, or other home treatments to treat your urinary tract infection? Tell us about them in the comments below!
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Best Tea For Bladder Issues And Infection: 2021
Bladder infection is a type of common UTI . When bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder, the infection develops. The bladder is infected through the urethra when the bacteria go through it and attach itself to the walls of the bladder. They then multiply and infect the bladder.
The infection causes many discomforting symptoms. It can also cause abdominal cramping and pain while urinating after a sudden urge to urinate. It can be fatal if left untreated. This is because the infection can spread rapidly to the blood or kidneys. A combination of home and medical treatments can ease these painful symptoms.
One of the standard modes of infection in women is intercourse or urination, as the urethra is straight and short. The germs can easily reach the bladder because of this.
Changes in hormonal levels and the immune system may make a person generally more vulnerable to infections. Infections are more common in pregnancy and just before a period. As women age, tissues of the bladder and urethra become drier and thinner with age. Menopause or a hysterectomy also leads to a higher chance of infection.
A standard urine test can make the diagnosis simple. It can identify the cause of the infection and the appropriate treatment, which is antibiotics. However, recurrent infections are prevalent, and studies have shown that women are at a 20% 30% higher risk of contracting a recurrence of diseasethe. Some also within three to four months of an initial UTI.
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When To See A Doctor
Contact your doctor if you have pain or discomfort when you urinate or other symptoms of a bladder infection, especially if the symptoms have been present for two days or more. If an infection lingers for too long, you risk the bacterial infection traveling to other parts of your body, including your kidneys. Therefore, you should seek treatment if you notice symptoms.
Your doctor will complete a physical examination and collect a urine sample to send for lab analysis to determine if an infection is present. Complications from an uncomplicated bladder infection are typically rare with antibiotic treatment. However, if you develop fever, chills, nausea, or confusion, you should immediately contact your doctor. These symptoms suggest a more serious infection that has spread to your kidneys. If you have a kidney infection, you may need an IV treatment of high-dose antibiotics, which may require hospitalization.
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What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms usually bacteria that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.
More than 90% of bladder infection cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.
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Phew Its Over But Will It Come Back
Theres good news and theres bad news. The bad news: one out of five women who get a UTI will get another one. If you do get another UTI, speak with your doctor about UTI treatment options, he or she may prescribe a longer course of antibiotics or have other UTI treatment options for you. The good news: changing up some of your daily habits and following some of our tips above may also help you protect yourself. When it comes to keeping UTIs away, knowledge is power.
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Try Taking A Probiotic
Introducing a probiotic to your system may help to replenish the naturally occurring, healthy bacteria that live in the gut. It is thought that probiotics may prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract cells, and may also lower the urine Ph, making it less hospitable to harmful bacteria. And, if you have taken an antibiotic to treat a UTI, taking a probiotic is a great way to build up the healthy bacteria that may have been killed during your course of treatment. Probiotics are found in supplement form , or they occur naturally in some types of food, including certain yogurts, kombucha, or kefir.
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Remedies For Bladder Infections
If you think you have a bladder infection, you should contact your doctor and schedule an outpatient appointment. Youâll need medication to get rid of the bacterial infection. That said, there are home remedies you can also use to help ease symptoms and help with the healing process. Here are five remedies and treatments for bladder infections that you can use:
1. See your doctor for an antibiotic
If youâre diagnosed with a bladder infection, your doctor will likely prescribe an oral antibiotic. Antibiotics work by getting rid of the bacteria that is causing your bladder infection. Research has shown that antibiotics are effective and perform better than a placebo.
You need to complete the full course of the prescribed antibiotic, even when you start to feel better. If you stop the antibiotic before completing the prescription, you risk getting another infection. In an uncomplicated or simple bladder infection, youâll typically notice an improvement in your symptoms within a day or two of starting the antibiotic. Your doctor may select an antibiotic treatment course that will last three to five days. In complicated bladder infections, the course is longer, typically seven to fourteen days.
2. Drink more water
When caring for a bladder infection, itâs critical to drink lots of fluids to help flush the bacteria out of your bladder. The additional fluids also help dilute your urine, which can make urinating less painful while youâre healing from the infection.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection usually occurs when harmful bacteria, such as Escherichia coli , enter your urinary system and have the opportunity to reside and multiply within your body, resulting in a fatal infection.
UTIs are most commonly found in the bladder and the urethra. In some severe cases, the kidneys might also be negatively impacted.
The types of harmful bacteria are present in almost all humans and lead to UTIs due to two severe circumstances:
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Can I Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection
You can usually prevent a urinary tract infection with lifestyle changes. These tips can include:
In some post-menopausal women, a healthcare provider may suggest an estrogen-containing vaginal cream. This may reduce the risk of developing a UTI by changing the pH of the vagina. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have recurrent UTIs and have already gone through menopause.
Over-the-counter supplements are also available for UTIs. These are sometimes recommended for people who have frequent UTIs as another way to prevent them. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplements and ask if these could be a good choice for you.
Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection
A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.
Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.
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Is Drinking Yakult Good For Uti
Yakult and its ingredients are safe for UTI patients to consume. They contain a large number of living microorganisms that benefit the urinary tract. Lactobacillus casei Shirota in Yakult is beneficial because it prevents UTI-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract, growing, and multiplying. Lactobacillus is a probiotic bacterium that can survive in the digestive tract and restore a healthy flora balance.
Lactobacillus strains have been shown in clinical trials to effectively reduce the risk of bladder cancer and colorectal tumor recurrence. Thus, consuming this probiotic drink Yakult daily effectively reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.
Good Quality Probiotics And Fermented Foods
What happens in the gut doesnt stay in the gut, Nielsen says. Taking oral probiotics actually changes the flora of the vagina, and by default, the urinary tract.
Taking a probiotic during a UTI will help restore microbial balance. I like Bio-K+ fermented probiotic as a clinical strength option, and recommend also eating good quality fermented foods like homemade sauerkraut and kombucha, daily.
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Focus On These Foods And Actions To Help Prevent And Manage A Urinary Tract Infection
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If youve ever had a urinary tract infection , then you know that you want relief fast. The burning, urges and pain that come with a UTI can be intense, making it hard to do or concentrate on anything else. Thankfully, eating the right foods can help prevent and manage recurring UTIs. But first, lets take a look at what causes them in the first place.
Symptoms And Potential Risks
Symptoms usually differ depending upon which part of the urinary system is infected.
- An infected bladder is simply characterized by frequent and painful urination, occasionally with stains of blood in the urine, lower abdominal discomfort, and pressure on pelvic floor muscles.
- An infected urethral is distinguished by urinating with a burning sensation and vaginal discharge.
- Upper back and side pain, high fever with shivers and chills, nausea, and vomiting are all symptoms of an acute kidney infection.
- Holding the urge of urinating and not going to the bathroom when you need to, or not completely emptying your bladder when you urinate, can simply result in a buildup of bad bacteria in your bladder, resulting in UTI.
- Kidney stones can obstruct your urinary tract and prevent normal urine flow, negatively impacting your urinary system.
- People suffering from diabetes have higher levels of sugar in the blood and urine. Higher sugar levels in the urine can promote the growth of bad bacteria, resulting in formation of UTIs.
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Can You Flush Out A Urinary Tract Infection
In general, patients with urinary tract infections should consume six to eight glasses of water per day. To flush out the infection from the urinary system, you should drink five to two liters of water every day. When the infection is present in the system, drinking liquids until the urine is clear and the stream is forceful is the best way to get it out.
Tiny Desk Kitchen Video: Are Berries All That Or Just Hype
If youve ever bitten into a raw cranberry, you know its as bitter as a lime. Native Americans embraced that acidity to fight infection, and pilgrims believed there was something in the red skin of cranberries that fought scurvy.
Scientists today are investigating dozens of health-promoting compounds found in cranberries, and theyre finding that theres a lot of truth to the lore of centuries past.
The Pick Me! Berry
When the pilgrims first arrived in the New World, they wouldnt have been able to miss the vibrant red bogs of the indigenous cranberry. Like the Native Americans, they came to think of cranberries as medicine, says Kathleen Wall, culinary historian at Plymouth Plantation.
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Pilgrims and other early settlers ate the berries to fight off scurvy, unaware that it was the vitamin C inside that made the berries good medicine.
They thought that sour things would take salt out of their body, says Wall, and they thought salt was causing scurvy. So even if they had the wrong reason, there was something to it.
Primitive Antibiotic?
There was also something to the Native American practice of grinding up cranberries and using the paste to fight wound infections.
It kind of prevented the infection, she says, but I dont think it would be able to treat it.
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