Cranberry juice has long been recognized as an effective natural treatment for bladder infections. Researchers have determined that its constituent compounds block E. coli bacteria from adhering to cells in the urinary tract.
Take D-mannose, which acts as a natural antibiotic to fight off bladder bacteria. Available at health food stores.
Drink Plenty of Water
Hydrating often will help flush bacteria out of the bladder and ease discomfort caused by frequent urination. Aim to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses daily of water.
Frequent urination can help fight infections by flushing bacteria out more rapidly from your system. Avoid holding it, which allows bacteria to proliferate. Urinate as soon as you feel an urge, and aim to urinate four to eight times each day.
Natural remedies have also proven successful at treating and preventing bladder infections, with natural compounds like D-mannose believed to prevent harmful bacteria from attaching themselves to cells in the urinary tract, thus avoiding infection. Cranberry juice or supplements containing Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (bearberry) could also prove helpful.
Avoid Caffeine
If you do develop a bladder infection, avoid caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea and soda; these may exacerbate irritation to your bladder further and may make it harder for your body to flush the bacteria away.
Frequent urination is key in fighting bladder infections. Aim to urinate whenever the urge strikes, even if only for small amounts. Delaying bathroom visits gives bacteria more of an opportunity to grow – particularly among women (who tend to experience UTIs more commonly).
Try drinking water or an electrolyte drink low in sugar, such as unsweetened cranberry juice. Cranberry supplements containing the compound d-mannose may help prevent and treat UTIs, while chamomile or green tea could provide additional anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial support.
Avoid Citrus and Other Acidic Foods
Acidic foods may aggravate symptoms associated with bladder infections. Foods rich in acidity such as citrus fruits, tomatoes and peppers should be avoided until your infection has cleared completely; in particular tomato sauce is known to irritate bladders; its use should be limited during recovery time. Tomatoes should also be kept to a minimum as they contain plenty of acids that irritate.
Avoid these foods and beverages and increase fluid consumption, particularly cranberry juice. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidin which prevents bacteria from adhering to your bladder lining and leading to UTIs; unsweetened cranberry juice should be chosen, since sweetened versions provide fuel for bacteria growth. Reintroduce foods and beverages gradually so as to identify potentially bladder-irritating items or beverages in your diet.
Eat a High-Vitamin C Diet
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria from the rectum or feces travel up the urethra to reach the bladder, often accompanied by burning sensations when peeing, cramps and strong-scented urine. Men and women both can become victims of UTIs.
Drinking plenty of water, avoiding caffeine and citrus foods, eating a high-vitamin C diet and taking cranberry supplements are all effective strategies to prevent UTIs. Vitamin C helps make urine more acidic which in turn inhibits bacteria that could potentially cause infections from multiplying within it.
Some individuals also find relief by consuming D-Mannose, an organic sugar found in numerous fruits and available in both capsule and powder form to act as a natural antibiotic against infection.
Take a Cranberry Supplement
Cranberry juice or supplements contain an acid that inhibits bacteria from adhering to bladder walls, giving the immune system a fighting chance against UTIs. Herbal medicines or dietary supplements containing proanthocyanidins (the antioxidant flavonoids found in grape seeds, chocolate and blueberries) also can help protect against UTIs.
UTIs are a common problem among women and can incur considerable medical expenses, including antibiotic use and missed work time, according to Deborah Wing of Gynecology Professor Deborah Wing. Reducing their frequency could save health care dollars while alleviating suffering, she suggests.
Studies indicate that drinking unsweetened cranberry juice may help lower your risk for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Unfortunately, its benefits remain uncertain with capsules or other cranberry products, including whether they provide protection from UTIs in children or those suffering from urinary incontinence or neurogenic bladder injury due to spinal cord trauma.