Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections
Some women with normal urinary tracts experience recurrent urinary tract infections. Commonly, repeated short courses of antibiotics or long (3 month) courses of low dose antibiotics are prescribed to treat or prevent infection. This strategy may not always be successful and can lead to the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
More than 90 percent of UTI’s are caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is normally found in your intestinal tract. Other commmon pathogens are Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Proteus and Klebsiella.
When bacteria get into your urinary tract and multiply, you experience the usual signs and symptoms of a UTI:
Burning with urination
Frequent urges to urinate
Lower abdominal pain or aching
Blood in your urine (sometimes, but not always)
Cloudy urine
There are several non-antibiotic strategies, which may reduce the chance of recurrent urinary tract infections.
1. Natural Steps to a Healthy Urinary System
An important factor in the overall health of your urinary tract is drinking plenty water every day.
As a woman, there are additional hygiene steps you can take to maintain a healthy urinary tract:
Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering your urethra.
Take showers instead of baths and avoid spa pools.
Empty your bladder after sexual intercourse.
Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays, which may irritate your urethra, and use only white unscented toilet paper to avoid potential dye reactions.
Maintain a healthy diet.
2. D- Mannose
D-mannose is a simple sugar found in many fruits. It also occurs naturally in some cells in the human body.
Other names for D-mannose are: Carubinose, D-manosa, Mannose, Seminose.
D-mannose may treat or prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to E.coli.
The cell walls of each E. coli are covered with tiny fingerlike projections called fimbria allowing them to "stick" to the inner walls of your bladder and even work their way up toward the kidneys.
Because the bacteria cling to the surface your urinary tract, they can't simply be washed out when you urinate.
Lectin on the bacteria's fimbria binds to mannose, which is produced by your cells and covers the internal lining of your urinary organs. This mannose allows the bacteria to adhere to you—like Velcro.
D-mannose sticks to the E. coli , preventing adherence of the fimbriae to the cell walls allowing the bacteria to be more effectively "rinsed" out by urination.
Only very small amounts of D-mannose are metabolized, so it doesn't interfere with blood sugar regulation.
Most of the D-mannose is filtered through your kidneys and routed to your bladder, then quickly excreted in your urine, making it ideal for a person with diabetes or anyone who is not interested in drinking sugary fruit juice.
It appears to be safe for most adults however it can cause loose bowel motions and bloating and taken in high quantities it may harm your kidneys. It should also be used with supervision in pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding, there is some research which suggests that D-mannose might make blood sugar control more difficult in those who have diabetes so care is needed.
Stockists in New Zealand
Pharmacy direct – (Urofem and Clinicians bladder support contain D-mannose)
Health 2000 – Clinicians bladder support
www.healthpost.co.nz – Source Naturals - D mannose