Painful urination can occur due to several medical conditions and diseases, including a urinary tract infection. Although treatment of painful urination varies depending on the cause of the problem, drinking cranberry juice can be helpful in relieving symptoms if you suffer from urethral pain due to a urinary tract infection.
Identification
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to external openings that permit discharge of urine from the body. In men, the urethra ends in an opening in the head of the penis. The opening is located just above the vagina in women. Irritation or infection of the urethra can cause such symptoms as burning pain when urinating and frequent urination. Pain in the urethra can occur due to a bacterial urinary tract infection or from urethral inflammation caused by taking chemotherapy drugs or other medications. Other possible causes include kidney stones, pressure from an ovarian cyst, or irritation from chemicals in vaginal lubricants, soaps, scented toilet paper, contraceptive foams or sponges, reports the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Cranberry Juice Effects
Drinking cranberry juice helps prevent bacteria from growing in the urinary tract. Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute discovered that cranberry juice changes the thermodynamic properties of bacteria in the urinary tract, creating an energy barrier that prevents microorganisms from getting close enough to latch onto cells and start an infection. The study found that cranberry juice targets the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections without affecting the level of good bacteria normally found in the urinary tract.
Dosage
Cranberry juice is available in liquid and tablet form. If you choose to drink cranberry juice, look for unsweetened cranberry juice. Sugar added to cranberry juice may actually encourage bacterial growth in the urinary tract. Avoid cranberry cocktails, as these products contain both sugar and excess water, which dilutes the effects of cranberry juice. Drink 8 oz. of cranberry juice at least three times per day. If you don't like the taste of cranberry juice, try cranberry tablets, which are available in 300 to 400 mg varieties. Tablets are taken twice each day.
Warning
Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements is not a good idea if you have had kidney stones in the past. Cranberry juice can increase the risk of kidney stone formation in patients with a history of stones, according to the "American Family Physician" journal. Ask your doctor if cranberry is safe for you if you take proton pump inhibitors to reduce gastric acid production or take antidepressants or opioid pain medications. Cranberry juice may interact with these medications and alter the way the drugs work.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Painful Urination; January 2011
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Cranberry Juice Creates Energy Barrier that Prevents Bacteria from Adhering to Cells, New Study Shows; July 2008
- "American Family Physician"; Cranberry for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections; Darren M. Lynch, M.D.; December 2004
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse; What I Need to Know About Urinary Tract Infections; August 2007
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