Urinary Tract Infections & Bladder Health
Updated Jan. 22nd, 2018
Infections of the urinary tract are quite common, especially in women. Infections usually begin when bacteria colonize the bladder lining and cause inflammation (cystitis). The infection may spread up into the kidney causing nephritis or to the prostate causing prostatitis.
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic infection between the bladder lining and muscular layer. Its exact cause is unknown but it is usually non-infectious and occurs subsequent to several cystitis episodes.
Factors that predispose an individual to bladder infections are poor hygiene, the use of perfumed of coloured hygiene products, antibiotic use, oral contraceptive use, catheter use, sexually transmitted diseases, stress and poor nutrition.
Symptoms of cystitis are urinary frequency and urgency with burning pain on urination. Emptying the bladder may not relieve the symptoms. The urine may be cloudy or “coke coloured”, due to the presence of blood. Lab testing of the urine reveals the presence of bacteria. Symptoms can be mild, with gradual onset or severe, with a quick onset. Fever and lower back pain signal that the kidney is affected. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis are the same but are usually recurring and lab testing is negative for bacteria.
Conventional treatment of cystitis involves the use of antibiotics to clear up the current infection. However, the body becomes susceptible to subsequent infections if friendly bacteria are not replaced. The overuse of antibiotics has also lead to antibiotic resistant strains of urinary tract pathogens. Individuals can help to minimize resistance by using antibiotics sparingly and always taking prescriptions until they are finished.
Good personal hygiene habits can go a long way in preventing cystitis. Women should never wipe back to front when using the toilet and both men and women should urinate following sexual activity and intercourse. Any feminine hygiene products and toilet paper that are scented, coloured or contaminated should be avoided and underwear should be breathable and not too tight. Some products that might cause irritation of the bladder include lubricants, spermicides, douches and latex condoms.
Dietary interventions to prevent cystitis include drinking 2-2.5 litres of filtered water or unsweetened cranberry juice daily. This flushes the urinary tract.
cranberry juice inhibits bacterial growth and prevents the binding of the bacteria to the bladder wall. Carrot and watermelon juices also flush the urinary tract. Eat garlic for its antibacterial properties. Avoid spicy foods, acidic foods, refined carbohydrates, sugar in all forms, coffee, black tea, tomatoes, spinach and yeast because they may irritate the bladder. For interstitial cystitis maintain an alkaline diet. Read the article entitled “Acid/Alkali balance” for more information.
I enjoyed this NN article but honestly, I was surprised it didn’t mention a key product I HIGHLY recommend to anyone suffering from UTIs. D-Mannose!!! Ok, so much to say about this simple, yet effective product. Here’s an excerpt from the NowFoods D-Mannose sold on NN: “Found in cranberries and some plants, D-Mannose is a simple sugar with unique cleansing abilities. In the bladder D-Mannose can adhere to bacterial lectins and prevent them from sticking to the lining of bladder where they may proliferate and cause infection.”
I have had recurrent UTIs for many years and was on a roller coaster of antibiotics until I found my personal cocktail of natural supplements. Essentially, a regular dose (1/2-1tsp) of D-mannose for flushing coupled with UT specific probiotics has done the trick for me. If ever I feel something is off or I know I’m tempting fate with triggers I take extra D-Mannose (usually 1 TBSP).
Good luck to anyone out there reading this because they are in a vicious cycle of UTIs. Know that you are not alone and there is a solution!!
Hello Andria,
Thank you for your comment and we are glad you have been enjoying our articles. Yes, D-Mannose is the active component that's extracted from cranberry and is very beneficial in supporting UT health and UTI's. Juniper is also another great natural health remedy that supports this concern. If you'd like to learn more about either supplement, check out our other articles as well:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/juniper/
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/d-mannose/
Stay healthy & well!
Cranberry is the traditional go-to for UTIs so it's interesting and informative to read about other herbal recommendations. I've successfully used cranberry juice (the natural, super tart stuff - not Ocean Spray :) ) and I've used tablets too. Both work great.
Thanks, NN, for always giving such good and useful information on common issues that are often treated with medications. They could easily be treated more naturally if people had the right information. NN is doing a great job at providing this so we can make informed decisions about our health.
Hello Stephanie,
You're welcome; we're thrilled to hear that you've been enjoying and learning from our articles, that's why we work so hard on them. D-Mannose is the extracted part from cranberry that has high potency and support for helping UTI's. You may also like our Youtube channel which has many expert videos on supplements and health concerns too.
https://www.youtube.com/user/NTLnutrition
Stay healthy & well!
As a man, I have gotten several UTI infections. It seems to be less common in men, but if you are like me there is still hope! I started taking cranberry supplements and they have worked great. It's good because you get the benefits of cranberries without all the sugar. Which can play a role in UTI infections
Hello Paul,
We're glad to hear you've found a supplement that supports your UTI. D-Mannose is the enzyme in Cranberries that support this health concern, a supplement often has a higher concentration of D-Mannose than cranberries do. If you'd like to learn more about D-Mannose, read this article too:
https://www.nationalnutrition.ca/articles/supplements/d-mannose/
Stay well!
I am so grateful for this article! My doctor recently prescribed some antibiotics for this condition and I really did not want to take them. I have heard previously that cranberry juice is beneficial for this condition and I was glad to read more about it in this article. I knew I could count on NN for great information and suggestions for natural supplements or foods to help me with this condition. Very useful info, thanks!
Hello,
We are thrilled you found this article at the right time. Let us know if you need any further assistance and we hope you get well soon.