A urinary tract infection can occur in any part of the urinary tract, which is composed of the bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra. The most common places for infection are the bladder and the urethra. Although both women and men can develop a urinary tract infection, they are most common among women. Having a urinary tract infection can be painful and highly uncomfortable -- by eating the right foods you can relieve some of your symptoms.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms include a strong urge to urinate that doesn't go away, a burning sensation when urinating and the passing of only small amounts of urine once able to urinate. In addition, urine can appear cloudy and might smell very strongly. In women, pelvic pain is common, while rectal pain is common in men.
Treatment
The most common treatment for a urinary tract infection is antibiotics. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics include amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin. These antibiotics usually clear the infection in a few days. However, for chronic urinary tract infections your physician may recommend that you stay on a longer course of antibiotic treatment. Your physician may also recommend that you take a pain medication. Finally, there are many things that you can change in your diet that can help you relieve the symptoms, and prevent the infections from recurring.
What to Eat
When you have a urinary tract infection, you should eat what you normally eat. However, try to increase your intake of vegetables and fruits, especially those with citric acid, like oranges, mandarine oranges or tangerines, as these have vitamin C. Vitamin C prevents bacterial growth caused by the acid environment in the bladder and urinary tract. Another way to maintain an alkaline environment in your urinary tract is by eating dairy. Choose yogurts with live cultures instead of milk in your meals until the pain and irritation has subsided.
What to Drink
The American Dietetic Association recommends that you drink plenty of water and juices in which a berry is the main ingredient, especially cranberry juice. Cranberry juice prevents the bacteria from clinging to the cells that line the urinary tract. Additionally, it will help relieve the urge to urinate frequently. If the taste of cranberry is too strong for you, mix it with water to dilute it a bit.
What to Avoid
According to the American Dietetic Association you should avoid any kind of food or beverage that may irritate your bladder any further. Avoid foods like chocolates and spicy foods. Avoid beverages that contain caffeine, alcohol or carbonation, as these may exacerbate irritation. Avoid food products that have processed sugars or fats. These have been known to worsen symptoms in some patients.
