Urinary tract infections -- or UTIs -- can be a painful and unpleasant experience. The University of Michigan Health System indicates that cranberry -- in both juice and concentrate form -- can help to alleviate the symptoms of a UTI and prevent further UTIs. One example of a cranberry juice is Ocean Spray's unsweetened cranberry juice blend. It is important to remember that cranberry juice of any kind is not a substitute for treatment from your physician.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection -- also known as a bladder infection or a UTI -- can affect any portion of your urinary system -- including your bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra. UTIs are more common in women than in men, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. UTIs are caused by bacteria. Risk factors can include being sexually active, female, holding your urine for extended periods of time, pregnancy and diabetes. Urinary tract infections are indicated by pain or burning during urination, abdominal pain, the frequent urge to urinate while passing little urine, chills, fever, nausea, vomiting, cloudy urine, foul-smelling urine or urine that is pink or dark in color.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Urinary tract infections are rarely a serious condition -- unless they are left untreated and spread to your kidneys. However, UTIs need to be treated by a doctor. Upon visiting your doctor, your doctor will take a medical history. Your doctor will also perform a brief physical exam and take a urine specimen. If a UTI is confirmed, you will be placed on an antibiotic to help clear up your infection. You will also be told to drink plenty of fluids to help flush bacteria out of your body naturally by means of urination. Drinking plenty of fluids can also help to dilute your urine, making urination with a UTI less painful.
Ocean Spray Unsweetened Cranberry Juice Blend
Cranberry juice can help to ease the pain of a UTI and reduce your chances of developing further UTIs. Cranberry juice is an antioxidant. Antioxidants can help to boost your immune system. The antioxidant properties of cranberry juice can also help prevent bacteria from sticking to the tissues of your bladder walls. Ocean Spray's unsweetened cranberry juice blends contain 100 percent fruit juice along with no artificial sweeteners, dyes or preservatives. Sugars and preservatives can irritate the lining of your bladder -- making the symptoms of a UTI worse. Ocean Spray's cranberry blend also contains vitamin C, which can help to boost your immune system, making it easier for you to fight off infections and prevent infections in the first place.
Cranberry Servings
Should you choose to drink Ocean Spray's unsweetened cranberry juice blend for a UTI, be sure to drink an adequate amount to reap the benefits of cranberries for UTIs. The University of Michigan Health System recommends drinking 4 to 10 oz. -- or 114 to 296 ml -- of cranberry juice per day. You can also opt to consume 400 mg of powdered cranberry concentrate daily. Before using cranberry juice for a UTI, always consult your doctor.
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