What is a UTI?
UTIs are common infections that happen when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, although fungi rarely can also infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria, which live in the bowel, cause most UTIs.
UTIs are more common in women. The female anatomy contributes to women’s increased likelihood of contracting a UTI. A woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s, allowing bacteria better access to the bladder. A woman’s urethral opening is also close to sources of bacteria from the anus and vagina. Sexual activity can move bacteria to the urethral opening.
Other factors that may encourage bacteria to grow:
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Purposely holding in urine for long periods of time
- Spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage that makes the bladder difficult to empty regularly and completely
- Conditions or situations that block the flow of urine, such as a tumor, kidney stone, enlarged prostate, or sexual intercourse
- Diabetes and other conditions that reduce the ability of the body’s immune system to fight off infection
- Catheters (tubes placed in the urethra and bladder to drain urine)
- Hormonal changes in the urinary tract of pregnant women that make it easier for bacteria to spread through the ureters and to the kidneys
Symptoms
Common symptoms of UTIs are:
Pain or burning while urinating A frequent or strong urge to urinate, while often producing only a small amount of urine Fever Milky, cloudy, dark, bloody, or foul-smelling urine Lower stomach or back pain or pressure
Treatments
The usual treatment for UTIs are antibiotics. But antibiotics can lead to consequences such as:
Allergic reactions Potential side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vaginal itching and discharge, and more Resistance to the antibiotics when you truly need them
For a safe and more natural treatment try UT Intensive Chewables a powerful blend of whole fruit cranberry extract and D-mannose, which is designed to promote a healthy urinary tract.
Cranberry is one of the most widely studied, time-tested, traditional remedies for supporting urinary tract health. Unlike many commercially available cranberry products, which are made from juice or contain individual isolated, health-promoting phytochemicals, the cranberry extract in UT Intensive is made from the whole fruit — juice, skins, flesh, and seeds — and therefore contains the full complement of phytochemicals, organic acids, fatty acids, and phenolics.
Mannose is a type of sugar found in various fruits and vegetables. The naturally occurring isomer, D-mannose, is similar in structure to certain urinary tract receptors, and thus, functions in a way that helps maintain a healthy environment in the urinary tract. Although mannose is a sugar, it is eliminated from the body instead of impacting calorie intake or metabolism, and it does not interfere with blood sugar regulation.
When should I call my doctor?
Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection or if you have been diagnosed with a UTI and your symptoms are getting worse. A UTI can spread throughout your urinary tract and into other parts of your body. However, treatments are effective and can quickly relieve your symptoms.
Until next time, stay healthy!
