Urinary tract infections are no fun for men or women, but of the 8 million cases reported yearly, most are suffered by women. The bacterial infection can occur anywhere in the system from the bladder to the urethra, ureters and kidneys. Urethra and bladder infections are quite common and can happen due to a number of causes from sexual intercourse to wiping improperly after a bowel movement. Caught in the early stages it can be treated with a variety of natural methods including cranberry juice.
Step 1
Prevent UTIs by drinking small amounts of unsweetened cranberry juice regularly. Fighting UTIs off with plenty of fluids to keep your system hydrated and juices flowing is a definite aid, but cranberry juice not only has a good amount of Vitamin C, but also has infection fighting proanthocyanin. This substance helps release bacteria from the urinary tract walls.
Step 2
Once a UTI starts, drink unsweetened cranberry juice immediately. Drinking cranberry juice at the beginning of a UTI can help keep the infection from taking hold or spreading. Some say it stops the infection in its tracks and they begin to feel better shortly after drinking it.
Step 3
Continue drinking cranberry juice if you start taking antibiotics. Even if a course of antibiotics is prescribed, drinking cranberry juice in coordination with the antibiotics aids healing, helps flush bacteria out and adds nutrients and Vitamin C to your infection-fighting system
Step 4
Keep drinking a few ounces of cranberry juice even after the infection is gone. Continued use of cranberry juice promotes urinary tract health and helps keep UTIs from recurring. Users claim drinking cranberry juice reduces the urge to urinate frequently when you don't need to and eliminates the burning when you do urinate.
Tips and Warnings
- If the unsweetened cranberry juice seems too tart, add a little apple juice.
- Do not drink cranberry juice if you take warafin, as the combination might lead to bleeding.
Things You'll Need
- Unsweetened cranberry juice
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