In addition to causing burning, pain and irritation, a urinary tract infection, or UTI, can lead to a potentially dangerous kidney infection in older women. If you have frequent UTIs, you may have developed a resistance to some of the antibiotics you've taken to treat active infections. Daily doses of cranberry capsules, which provide a concentrated form of the active compounds in cranberries, are a relatively safe, convenient way to prevent UTIs.
Significance
Women are more susceptible to UTIs than men, especially after menopause, when hormonal changes increase your risk of developing an infection in your urethra or bladder, the Mayo Clinic notes. A burning sensation or a sense of urgency when you urinate, temporary bladder incontinence, foul-smelling or bloody urine may be signs of a UTI. If the infection advances to your kidneys, you may develop permanent kidney damage, the Mayo Clinic states. For some elderly women, UTIs recur frequently, interfering with daily activities and causing ongoing discomfort. Cranberry juice has been used for generations as a home remedy to treat UTIs. If you dislike the tart taste of cranberry juice and are trying to limit the sugar in your diet, capsules may be an effective alternative for preventing these infections.
Prevention
A bacterium called Escherichia coli, or E. coli, causes the majority of infections of the urinary tract and bladder, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The active compounds in cranberries prevent UTIs by preventing E. coli bacteria from adhering to the inner surfaces of your urinary tract or bladder. A research review performed by the University of Maryland School of Medicine showed that elderly women who took cranberry capsules or juice over a six-month period had fewer UTIs than women who took a placebo or a probiotic supplement. Although cranberry capsules may be effective at preventing UTIs, the compounds in cranberries do not exert the same effect on E. coli bacteria once the organisms are attached to your urinary tract, the UMMC notes. The commonly recommended dose for preventing UTIs is six 300- to 400-mg cranberry capsules daily in evenly spaced doses, according to the UMMC. Talk with your health care provider to determine the dose that's right for you.
Benefits
Taking cranberry capsules as a preventive measure may reduce your need for antibiotics, a common treatment for UTIs, the University of Maryland School of Medicine notes. Taking antibiotics frequently increases your resistance to these medications. Antibiotics may also have unpleasant, potentially harmful side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea or rashes. A reduced risk of UTIs also decreases your risk of developing a more severe kidney infection. Because many brands of cranberry juice contain added sugar, replacing cranberry juice with capsules can also reduce your daily intake of sugar and calories.
Precautions
Symptoms of a UTI warrant prompt medical attention and often require antibiotic therapy. Because of the health risks involved with UTIs in elderly women, you should consult your health care provider immediately if you have pain when you urinate or if you have foul, bloody or cloudy urine. Although cranberry capsules are generally safe as a preventive remedy for UTIs, all cranberry products may interact with warfarin, a blood-thinning medication. Consult your provider before taking cranberry capsules or other cranberry products to prevent UTIs.
