Urinary tract infections or UTIs are caused by bacteria in the bladder. If you have a UTI, you may notice burning or pain during urination, along with an increased need to urinate, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Your physician will typically prescribe an antibiotic to treat this condition. However, some women develop UTIs more frequently and may need other strategies to combat urinary tract infections or to lessen the symptoms. Some foods may be helpful in dealing with a UTI.
Foods with Vitamin C
Some physicians may suggest additional vitamin C -- both during the treatment of a UTI and afterward to try to prevent a recurrent infection, as noted in the University of Michigan Health System website. These doctors may suggest up to 5,000 mg of vitamin C per day during the acute phase of the infection; the vitamin makes the urine acidic and a less friendly environment for bacteria to grow. Vitamin C may also help prevent additional infections for the same reason. You can include more vitamin C in your diet through foods as well. Examples of vitamin C-rich foods are oranges, green peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower and cabbage, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You should speak with your physician before adding large amounts of vitamin C supplementation to your diet because it can interact with certain medications or cause stomach upset.
Cranberries and Blueberries
Both cranberries and blueberries contain substances that can make it difficult for the bacteria to stick to the wall of the bladder, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Cranberries also acidify the urine to make it difficult for the bacteria to grow. If you have a history of recurrent UTIs, drinking unsweetened cranberry juice each day may lower your risk, as noted by MayoClinic.com. Even if you are drinking cranberry juice to fight or prevent a UTI, if you notice symptoms of burning or pain during urination, you need to let your doctor know as soon as possible, because a urinary tract infection can progress to a kidney infection if not treated appropriately, according to the University of California, Santa Cruz Health Center. If you are on blood-thinning medication like warfarin, you should avoid cranberry juice.
Avoid Foods that Trigger Symptoms
Some women may develop recurrent UTIs as a result of food allergies. Allergies have been associated with frequent infections, as reported on the University of Michigan Health System. Potential foods allergens include dairy, wheat and corn, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Determining which foods may trigger symptoms may lower your risk of infection; some doctors may do allergy testing. You also can watch to see your reaction after eating certain foods; if these foods seem to lead to problems, you can eliminate them from your diet.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Urinary Tract Infection in Women
- University of California, Santa Cruz Health System: Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin C
- University of Michigan Health Center: Urinary Tract Infection
- MayoClinic.com: Urinary Tract Infection
