7 Tips to Prevent (and Combat) Urinary Tract Infections, says Oz
About half of Americans of the fairer sex get it, and most get it repeatedly. It’s unhealthy, a nuisance and can be avoided. Here’s how Dr. Oz suggests you can fight back…
THIS IS a quick post that addresses what some of my woman friends claim is a common ailment among their gender, which for some is so repetitive that it’s made them chronic antibiotic users. Not a good thing. Use them too much, and they no longer work, not to mention the disruption to gut and colon health.
I thought to write about this after hearing one female friend complain that “it’s happening again”, the day before I watched a Dr. Oz snippet on the subject.
I’m referring to UTI or Urinary Tract Infections which plague 50% of women in the USA. That makes it a big problem, but it doesn’t have to be.
Simply put, urinary tract infections happen when bacteria attaches itself to the bladder lining. The bacteria is often some form of Escherichia coli that migrates from the anus. If you haven’t noticed, it doesn’t have to travel far.
On a female, it’s a quick trip for bacteria to go from the anus to the urethra (Guys: it’s from where a female urinates), and then up the urethra to the bladder. Once there, the bacteria sticks to the bladder wall and causes all sorts of discomforting symptoms, such as:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.
- Urine that appears cloudy.
- Urine that appears bright pink or cola colored — a sign of blood in the urine.
- Strong-smelling urine.
- Pelvic pain, in women.
- Rectal pain, in men.
Unless you’re UTIs are chronic, usually one antibiotic pill saves the day, otherwise more may be necessary.
(Should you use any type of antibiotic, concurrently take probiotics to keep the right balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut and colon for digestive health. The antiobiotics destroy all the bacteria it can, including what you need. Probiotics will replenish the good stuff. They’re in most health food stores, or you can eat a lot of yogurt and fermented foods.)
Tips for preventing and treating urinary tract infections include:
- Single dose of Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxadzole antibiotic.
- Cranberry juice. it coats the lining of the bladder which prevents the bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. (Don’t drink it if on blood thinners.)
- Wipe from front to back.
- Pee after sex.
- Eat horseradish – its oil has anti-bacterial properties.
- Drink peppermint tea – the Menthols in peppermint tea are toxic to bacteria.
- Take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C which will acidify urine which is problematic for bacteria.
There’s more information about UTI at the famed Mayo Clinic here.
If you have a solution to UTI that’s not mentioned here, please let us know in the Comments section below.
That’s it folks.
Last Updated on June 20, 2014 by Joe Garma
