A urinary tract infection is a general term for an infection anywhere along the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, ureters or urethra. A UTI can cause a variety of symptoms and become serious if the infection spreads to other areas of the body. In most cases, antibiotics are required to prevent complications, however, alternative treatments such as drinking cranberry juice can also help. The first step, though, is to seek medical attention to make sure there are no complications.
Identification
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria from the digestive tract enter the opening of the urethra and multiply. Some infections remain in the urethra, while in other cases, the infection spreads to the bladder and/or kidneys. Urinary tract infections can exist without causing any symptoms or they can cause a frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, fatigue, pressure in the pelvic area, and milky or cloudy urine. If a serious infection exists, a fever may also occur. For some, urinary tract infections occur only once in a lifetime, while others get them frequently. Treating reoccurring infections can be difficult and may require a multidisciplinary approach.
Treatments
Urinary tract infections usually require treatment with antibiotics that are taken for about one week, states the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. The exact antibiotic used and the length of time treatment is needed depends on which strain of bacteria is causing the infection and the severity of the infection. Those with reoccurring infections may need to take antibiotics for six months or longer or whenever symptoms occur. Along with antibiotic treatment, lifestyle changes such as consuming cranberry juice can be tried to help reduce the risk of developing another infection.
Considerations
While much more research is needed, drinking cranberry juice may help to stop future urinary tract infections, especially in women with reoccurring infections, reports MayoClinic.com. In some patients, consuming cranberry juice appears to help the body fight off infections. Drinking cranberry juice is considered safe for most, however, it should not be used by patients taking blood-thinning medications, as it can interact with these medications and cause excessive bleeding.
Features
Cranberries in general contain chemicals that appear to inhibit the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections from sticking to the surfaces of the urinary tract. This action may prevent an infection from developing. Since studies are limited, there are no specific amounts of cranberry juice known to definitely stop urinary tract infections. However, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends speaking with a physician about consuming 8 oz. of pure, unsweetened cranberry juice three times daily or taking a 300 to 400 mg concentrated cranberry extract twice daily. The safety and effectiveness of using cranberry juice long term has not been established. To date there are no studies that have tested its use beyond a 12-month period.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
- MayoClinic.com: Urinary Tract Infection Alternative Medicine
- American Academy of Family Physicians; "American Family Physician"; Cranberry for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections; Darren Lynch, M.D.; December 2004
