Chances are that the mention of ‘urinary tract infection’ makes your eyes smart. Many of us – especially if you are a woman – will have had at least one UTI in our lives. This type of infection can be persistent once it has taken a hold, so it needs to be dealt with quickly and firmly.
Where do UTIs come from?
A UTI comes from bacteria that occur naturally on our skin. These bacteria sometimes end up in our urinary tract or, more serious, our kidneys, causing infection.
Women may become more prone to this type of infection after menopause because of a loss of natural hormonal protection. In some people, both male and female, infection occurs more easily because of genetic factors that make it easier for bacteria to cling to their urinary tract. Diaphragms and condoms with spermicidal foam are also culprits, as is a compromised immune system.
Abnormalities in the urinary tract can be another cause, especially in children – this is a problematic cause that should be ruled out by taking them to see a healthcare provider, especially if they have recurring infections.
How do I know that I have a UTI?
The most common symptom of a UTI is burning or pain when urinating. You may also feel the urge to urinate more often but be unable to produce more than a few drops at a time, or you may leak urine.
Other symptoms are pain in the pelvic area or lower back and bad-smelling, cloudy urine.
More serious symptoms like fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, and blood in the urine should be checked out by a healthcare provider right away.
What now?
The flora in our digestive tract contain ‘good’ bacteria that fight off the ‘bad’ bacteria which cause infections, including UTIs. When our good intestinal bacteria are damaged by, for instance, processed foods, added sugars and medication such as steroids and cortisone, we become more susceptible to all kinds of maladies, including infections such as UTIs.
The remedy for this is to restore our bacterial balance by ingesting probiotic foods and supplements. We can also take steps to boost our immune system and our kidney, bladder and renal function, and we can combat inflammation to prevent and treat UTIs.
Natural sources of probiotics such as garlic, onions, asparagus, bananas, wheat, barley, oats, honey and chicory can be supplemented with products like ALBIOFA’s BIOremFERMENT probiotic drops, liquid or spray, and SFERA BIO NUTRITION’s biotic complex spray.
Boost your immune system with high doses of Vitamin C, found in COYNE HEALTHCARE’s Biomax Liposomal Vitamin C or LIPOLIFE’s Liposomal Vitamin C; and support your kidney and bladder function with NATURA’s homeopathic Nieren Drops. Bladder and renal system function can also be supported with their Urina Drops.
DMannose is another natural product that specifically assists the body to get rid of a UTI, as is PHYTO-FORCE’s Cranberry preparation.
Your inflammation-fighting arsenal can be fortified with NATURA’s tissue salts.
Last but not least, keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids; don’t put off urinating when you need to; and empty your bladder fully.
As with any recurring medical condition that does not respond to home treatment, see your healthcare provider for persistent UTIs to rule out any possible serious underlying cause.
Takeaway
Keeping your intestinal bacteria healthy ensures that your immune system operates at its best. This, in turn, helps prevent and treat illnesses such as UTIs. Invest In Health’s probiotic supplements and homeopathic remedies offer safe, natural prevention and treatment solutions.