Hate UTIs? Then You Will Love This Information
Suzy* is one of between 8 and 10 million people who visit the doctor each year because of a urinary tract infection (UTI). One in five women will have at least one UTI in their life time. Many will have more than one and about 80% of those that do have recurring issues. If you’ve never had a UTI, consider yourself blessed.
If you have had a UTI you know that the symptoms are pesky to say the least, and grow downright painful when full-blown. When confined to your bladder or urethra, the infection is painful, but simpler to treat and not very serious. If the infection reaches your kidneys, however, serious complications could arise if left untreated.
Symptoms include:
A frequent urge to pass urine or feeling the need to pass urine even through you have just done so.
Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen.
Stinging or pain when you urinate.
Urine that has a bad odor, or a strong odor.
Urine that is milky or red in color. (Consult a healthcare provider immediately if there is blood in your urine.)
Lower back pain. This may indicate a kidney infection.
Fever or feeling weak or shaky.
Antibiotics or antimicrobials are the standard treatment for urinary tract infections and should always be used for severe infections. Unfortunately, antibiotics also have side effects and if taken frequently can cause another set of problems for your body to handle. Why does it seem that health issues are often full of “Catch 22s”?
Many people turn to unsweetened cranberry juice if they feel symptoms starting. Have you ever wondered what it is about cranberry juice that helps? Well, cranberry juice (and pineapple juice) contains D-mannose. What is D-mannose? It is a simple sugar that occurs naturally and is closely related to glucose.
E. coli (escherichia coli) is the bacterium found in 90% of all bladder infections. Not to be confused with the mutant e.coli that is associated with unsanitary food processing that has hospitalized and killed people, this e.coli is part of the normal microflora contained in our intentional tracts. While the presence of e.coli is normal in the intestinal tract, they should not make their way to our bladder and urinary tract. When that happens they multiply and cause the infections.
D-mannose sticks to the finger-like cell walls of the e-coli and draws them away from our human cells and simply helps relocate the misplaced e. coli that have traveled to the wrong place. While not conclusive, studies are showing that in many cases, D-mannose is an excellent treatment for UTI’s.
If D-mannose is a simple sugar, how can it be effective in treating infections? Although it is a simple sugar, very little of it is metabolized. It is safe for diabetics because it doesn’t interfere with blood sugar regulation. According to Dr. Jonathan Wright, Medical Director of Tahoma Clinic in Renton, Washington, D-mannose is even safe for pregnant women and very small children.
Suzy is diabetic and has suffered frequently from urinary tract infections. She started using D-mannose to see if she could avoid taking antibiotics on a routine basis. At the first sign of her symptoms, she takes the suggested dose of D-mannose. She also takes it as prevention if she travels. She is thrilled with her results because it has kept her from being hospitalized, as had happened in the past.
While those results can’t be guaranteed,D-mannose might be a great addition to your health-care supply. It comes in capsules and powder form. Cranberry juice does contain D-mannose, but a serving contains much less than the recommended adult dose and is less effective.
*Suzy’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.
**These statements are not evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare professional if you experience any of the symptoms mentioned in this article.
Sources:
http://tahomaclinic.com/2018/03/history-of-the-d-mannose-bladder-infection-cure/
https://www.hhs.gov/opa/reproductive-health/fact-sheets/urinary-tract-infections/index.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=urinary+tract+infections+and+d-mannose