Bladder infections -- also known as cystitis or urinary tract infections -- are a common bacterial infection that affects your bladder. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that over 50 percent of women will experience a bladder infection at one point or another. Men rarely experience bladder infections. Bladder infections require treatment by a doctor and an antibiotic. Cranberry pills can help alleviate the symptoms of a bladder infection, not aggravate the bladder.
Cranberry Pills
Cranberry pills can help alleviate the symptoms of a bladder infection, including painful urination and abdominal pain. Cranberry pills can also help prevent reoccurring urinary tract infections. Cranberries are a powerful antioxidant -- even in pill form. This powerful antioxidant can strengthen your immune system and fight off infections. Antioxidants are able to help prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder. This makes it less likely that you develop a bladder infection and also prevents current bladder infections from flourishing.
Dosage
The University of Michigan Health System recommends that you take 400 mg of cranberry extract pills -- cranberry concentrate-- twice a day to help fight off current bladder infections. Cranberry extract pills can also be taken in 400 mg twice per day to help prevent the development of another bladder infection.
Research
The University of Michigan Health System indicates that multiple studies have proven the effectiveness of the cranberry when it comes to the health of your bladder. One study indicates that elderly women, who drank 10 oz. of cranberry juice daily had a decreased amount of bacteria in their urine. Another study indicates that nursing home residents who consumed either 4 oz. of cranberry juice or six capsules containing cranberry concentrate daily for a year and one month had decreased instances of urinary tract infections by 25 percent. The University of Michigan Health System also indicates that women between the ages of 18 and 45 with recurrent bladder infections were able to significantly reduce bladder infections by taking 400 mg capsules of cranberry concentrate, twice a day.
Considerations
Cranberry juice can also serve as a substitute for cranberry pills. The University of Michigan Health System recommends consuming 4 to 10 oz of cranberry juice daily to help fight and prevent bladder infections. It is important to remember that cranberries -- in any form -- are not a substitute for treating conditions of the bladder. If you experience painful urination, cloudy urine, back pain, abdominal pain, pelvic pain, blood colored urine and the frequent urge to urinate, contact your doctor.
Member Comments