What Is A Uti Anyway
Most U.T.I.s are uncomfortable, but largely innocuous, said Dr. Benjamin Brucker, a urologist and urogynecologist at N.Y.U. Langone Health. In rare cases, however, a U.T.I. can infect the kidneys, leading to fever, chills, lower back pain and vomiting.
Anyone can develop a U.T.I., though women have shorter urethras, making it easier for bacteria to reach the urinary tract and then spread to the bladder. Over half of adult women will get at least one at some point in their lives, and roughly 25 percent will get recurrent urinary tract infections, which usually means three or more cases within a year.
When To See A Doctor
Its a good idea to consult a healthcare provider anytime you might have a UTI. They can help you figure out if your symptoms are consistent with a urinary tract infection or if you might have something else, like a yeast infection, sexually transmitted infection, or interstitial cystitis.
Talking about sexual health or any kind of issue down there can be uncomfortable, but trust us when we say your doctor is here to help. The worst case scenario is that you avoid your symptoms and then come in only when they start to get worse.
If you start noticing the following symptoms, its a sign your UTI might be turning into a kidney infection:
- Nausea or vomiting
This is serious business and will require medical expertise to avoid further complications. No home health remedy takes the place of expert care when you need it most.
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Best Ways To Get Rid Of Urinary Tract Infection With Cranberry Juice
Drinking cranberry juice is good for your body. Cranberry juice is a great beverage as it has lots of important antioxidants that help reduce your risk of heart disease. The antioxidants also help in building your immune system so that your body can fight UTI infections.
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The Facts Behind 5 Supplements
Collagen.Collagen, is one of the most abundant proteins in the body and helps form our skin, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. As we age, we naturally start reducing its production. Some studies show that taking collagen supplements can reduce signs of aging, increase bone density and improve joint, back and knee pain. But many of these studies are small and funded by the companies behind such products, increasing the opportunity for bias. Certain products also have flaws that reduce the likelihood of their efficacy: Topical creams, for example, are unlikely to make it into the deeper level of the skin where collagen is produced.
Magnesium.Though low levels of magnesium have been associated with various sleep disorders, the evidence for the benefits of taking it for better sleep in supplemental form is thin. In fact, most people already have sufficient levels of the mineral, which helps support immune health, blood sugar regulation, and nerve and muscle function. Magnesium is easy to get in foods including nuts, greens, seeds, beans, yogurt and fish.
Vitamin B6.This essential nutrient is involved in a number of chemical reactions that are important for the proper functioning of the immune and nervous systems. As with the other essential vitamins, the body cannot produce B6 on its own, so you can only get it from foods or supplements. Most healthy adults get more than enough vitamin B6 from their diets alone, so B6 supplements are generally not needed.
The Magic Of Cranberries
UTIs are most often caused by bacteria called Escherichia coli, or E. coli for short. Cranberries contain compounds called A-type proanthocyanidins that prevent E. coli from adhering to the bladder walls. Whether theres enough of this compound in a serving of juice or supplements to make a difference in your health has not been categorically proven by research.
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Probably Not A Great Treatment For Active Utis
While cranberry products help protect against UTI recurrence in some people, evidence supporting the use of cranberry juice and cranberry juice products for improving symptoms in people who have active UTIs is weak.
One review that included three high quality studies concluded that, overall, there wasnt enough evidence to show that cranberry extract helps treat active UTIs .
Another study that included 46 women found that taking cranberry capsules both alone and when combined with antibiotics may help reduce the need for antibiotic use and improve certain UTI-related symptoms in women with active UTIs .
Its important to note that this was a feasibility study with 46 participants, designed to assess whether a larger scale study would be feasible. Thus, its results may not be as robust as the results of a larger, high quality study.
Some women in the study noted that taking the cranberry supplements helped reduce antibiotic use and helped clear the infection more quickly than antibiotics alone, while others reported no improvement when they took the cranberry supplements.
Its important to note that most available research focuses on using cranberry products to prevent UTIs, not treat active infections.
Currently, theres not enough evidence to suggest that cranberry products are effective at reducing UTI symptoms or speeding recovery from active UTIs.
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Cut Back On Meat And Poultry
Some studies, such as one published in August 2018 in the journal mBio, have linked contaminated poultry and meat to E.coli bacteria strains that can cause UTIs. These studies havent proven that eating meat or poultry causes UTIs. In fact, some E.coli can live in the intestines without causing any problems. However, bacteria from the gut can enter the urinary tract and cause infection. This risk is greater in women than men, because women have shorter urethras than men, meaning the bacteria has less distance to travel to reach the bladder.
Cutting back on meat and focusing on fruits and veggies may slightly cut your risk of UTIs. According to a study of Buddhists in Taiwan, published in January 2020 in Scientific Reports, compared with nonvegetarians, vegetarians had a 16 percent lower risk of UTI.
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Cranberry Juice Fights Urinary Tract Infections Quickly
Study Shows Cranberry Juice Works Against Bacteria Within 8 Hours
Previous studies have suggested that the active compounds in cranberry juice are not destroyed by the digestive system after people drink them, but instead work to fight against bacteria, including E. coli. This latest study, presented at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston, affirms that and provides evidence of the medicinal value of cranberries.
The new research suggests that the beneficial substances in cranberry juice could reach the urinary tract and prevent bacterial adhesion within eight hours.
Researchers from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts grew strains of E. coli in urine collected from healthy people before and after they drank cranberry juice cocktail.
Can My Uti Cause Other Issues
Like all vaginal health conditions, urinary tract infections can cause emotional and physical distress, which can depress your immune system and can potentially impact cervical fluid and delay your period or fertile window. If left untreated, a urinary tract infection can spread past the upper urinary tract and lead to more serious issues like a kidney infection, or sepsis an infection of the blood.
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When To See Your Doctor
See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.
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Is Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Good For Uti
Last week, Ocean Spray released the results of a study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which suggests drinking an 8-ounce glass of cranberry juice every day could help reduce the likelihood of a UTI by 40 percent, at least in women over 40 who frequently have the infection.
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Cranberry Products Are They Good For Pets
Go to many of the popular pet blogs or pet supply stores these days and youre likely to see cranberry-containing products touted and marketed with terms such as urinary health or urinary care. But whats the real deal with cranberry is it really a cure-all for your cat or dogs urinary issues? Or does cranberry just have a good publicity agent?
Lets cut through the clutter and explore the truth about the benefits of cranberry to urinary tract health for cats and dogs. If you really want to try using cranberry supplements for your pet, scroll further down for some product options to consider.
How Much Cranberry Juice Should You Consume For Utis
Since the amount of cranberry and thus, proanthocyanidins in a juice or tablet varies from brand to brand, says Dr. Goldman, it might be tough to achieve the same benefits as the research has found. “You could have three different kinds of juice, and they have different cranberry concentrations, he adds. To make matters even more complicated, there isn’t one recommended dose of cranberry juice to consume for UTI prevention.
Still, clinical research suggests drinking 240 to 300 milliliters of cranberry juice cocktail daily may prevent half of UTI recurrences, according to the Clinics article. Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows cranberry juice manufacturers to claim the drink “may help reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in healthy women” only on labels of drinks containing at least 27 percent juice, consider choosing a bevvie with at least that concentration.
Cranberry juice tends to have a high sugar and caloric content, however, so downing a glass or two each day may not be the best for your health in some instances, says Dr. Goldman. “That’s why a lot of people will prefer to take a powder or a tablet,” he adds. “If you take a cranberry tablet that has a high concentration, that could be equivalent to drinking four cups of cranberry juice.”
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Cranberry Juice And Organic Acids Used For Treatment Studies
The organic acids used are commercially available -quinic acid , Lmalic acid , -shikimic acid , and citric acid . A mixture of the four organic acids, in concentrations corresponding to those found in the hydrophilic fraction of cranberry juice, was tested as well as the acids separately or in mixtures two by two. The concentration of organic acids in the hydrophilic fraction of cranberry juice were 0.74% quinic, 0.53% malic, 0.03% shikimic, and 0.78% citric acid, which gave a total concentration of 2.1% . For the PBS experiment, PBS was pH adjusted to pH 3.0 with HCl.
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Cranberry Juice Will Not Do The Trick
However, the researchers point out that since a cranberry capsule provides the equivalent of 8 ounces of cranberry juice, a patient would need a lot of pure cranberry to prevent an infection.
Dr. Boone explains: It takes an extremely large concentration of cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion. This amount of concentration is not found in the juices we drink. Theres a possibility it was stronger back in our grandparents day, but definitely not in modern times.
He adds:
Cranberry juice, especially the juice concentrates you find at the grocery store, will not treat a UTI or bladder infection. It can offer more hydration and possibly wash bacteria from your body more effectively, but the active ingredient in cranberry is long gone by the time it reaches your bladder.
He also cautions that a UTI and an overactive bladder may show similar symptoms, and people should seek medical advice if any adverse symptoms appear, to prevent UTIs from developing into kidney infections.
Treatment of UTIs can be complicated. Approximately 20-30% of women have recurring UTIs, and concerns about antibiotic resistance mean that both doctors and patients may be unwilling to use such medication.
Dr. Boone points out that there are many benefits of probiotics, although more research is still needed.
Our Knowledge Center article features more information about the health benefits of cranberries.
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Urinary Tract Infections In Women
UTIs are common, particularly with increasing age. Women are more likely to get a UTI than men. Nearly 1 in 3 women will have a UTI needing treatment before the age of 24.
In women, the urethra is short and straight, making it easier for germs to travel into the bladder. For some women, UTIs relate to changes in their hormonal levels. Some are more likely to get an infection during certain times in their menstrual cycle, such as just before a period or during pregnancy.
In older women, the tissues of the urethra and bladder become thinner and drier with age as well as after menopause or a hysterectomy. This can be linked to increased UTIs.
During pregnancy, the drainage system from the kidney to the bladder widens so urine does not drain as quickly. This makes it easier to get a UTI. Sometimes germs can move from the bladder to the kidney causing a kidney infection. UTIs during pregnancy can result in increased blood pressure, so it is very important to have them treated as soon as possible.
Women are more at risk of repeated UTIs if they:
- use spermicide jelly or diaphragm for contraception
- have had a new sexual partner in the last year
- had their first UTI at or before 15 years of age
- have a family history of repeated UTIs, particularly their mother
- suffer from constipation
Cranberry Juice Wont Prevent Bladder Infections
Its a myth that cranberry juice can cure bladder infections, the Daily Mail reported today. The story was based on a large review of research that looked at the effectiveness of cranberry juice and cranberry products such as capsules, in preventing bladder and other urinary tract infections , which are most common in women.
The use of cranberry juice to protect against infection was first thought to have originated with Native Americans. It is now a popular home remedy, often recommended to women by their doctors to help prevent infections on the basis of previous research that suggested it could be helpful.
The theory is that cranberry juice contains substances that help prevent bacteria from sticking to the wall of the urinary tract. However, this new widely reported study found that overall, cranberry products did not reduce the occurrence of UTIs, such as cystitis, when compared with placebo, water or no treatment at all.
This updated review comes from the respected Cochrane Collaboration and its results are likely to be reliable. It suggests that while cranberry juice may be of small benefit to some women, it would need to be consumed in such large quantities as to make it unacceptable to many as a remedy.
Other cranberry products were also found to be ineffective, possibly due to the lack of potency of the active ingredients. Other methods women can use to reduce the risk of developing a UTI include drinking plenty of fluids and practising good hygiene.
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How Do You Treat Utis
Urinary tract infections are usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare provider. The length of antibiotic treatment depends on the severity of the infection, whether you have had a UTI before, and if your symptoms go away quickly. If you are prescribed antibiotics for a UTI, it is important to take them as instructed by your healthcare provider.
There are additional medications and treatments available over-the-counter that may help ease symptoms and pain or prevent additional UTIs such as urinary pain relief tablets, cranberry pills, and heating pads.
I Saw Doctor After Doctor For Utis And Gut Health
I embarked on the longest run of health practitioners Ive ever been on I tried acupuncture and osteopathy without improvement and even consulted a homeopath from the States that I had found on one of my countless online searches and who described the very same symptoms I had. When she told me her fee though, I politely declined.
I was feeling really lucky to be living in a country with national health insurance in place. I went to see a very good gastroenterologist who put me on a special diet and eventually solved my stomach problems.
He also tried to help me with my bladder infection and prescribed a nosode therapy homeopathic preparations made from ones own bodily fluids as well as a homeopathic remedy called Uva-ursi complex. Again, no mention of cranberry juice!
Both really seemed to work for a bit but after a few days the pain started to come back. I blamed the fact that I had never had a whole week to completely rest with my hot water bottle as I did the year before.
But now six months of constant UTIs had passed and I was not feeling any improvement.
I was not going to give up I knew one day I would be rid of it. I swore I would not suffer from recurrent UTIs for the rest of my life like my Nan did.
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Can Cranberry Pills Cure A Urinary Tract Infection
The research on this isnt totally clear. Some studieshave found that drinking cranberry juice or takingcranberry pills can prevent UTIs, especially in womenwho are at risk for these infections. And they dont treatUTIs that you already have.
In this regard, can you get rid of a UTI with cranberry pills?
Cranberry juice is a popular home remedy for mildUTIs. Antibiotics are an effective treatment forUTIs. However, the body can often resolve minor,uncomplicated UTIs on its own without the help ofantibiotics. By some estimates, 2542 percent ofuncomplicated UTI infections clear on theirown.
Secondly, is it OK to take cranberry pills everyday? There is no standard dose of cranberry. Somestudies have used 8 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juicethree times a day.prevent UTIs. Other studies have used between600-800 milligrams daily of cranberry supplementcapsules.
In this manner, why does Cranberry help with UTI?
The active ingredients in cranberries preventbacteria from adhering to the bladder wall. A urinary tractinfection can affect any part of the urinarysystem, kidneys, bladder or urethra. However, new research suggeststhat while cranberry capsules can help,cranberry juice may be little more than apanacea.
What are the side effects of taking cranberry pills?
Common side effects of Cranberry include:
- Stomach or abdominal upset.
- Kidney stones at high doses.
- Increased risk of cancer oxalate uroliths in predisposedpatients.
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