UTIs. These infections are responsible for roughly 8 million doctor visits each year and are the second most common type of infection to occur in the human body. They occur more often in women but can affect men as well.
UTIs can cause symptoms such as:
- painful, burning feeling while urinating
- frequent urge to urinate, usually producing little urine
- lower abdominal pain
- urine leakage
- cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- bloody urine
- lower back pain
If a UTI spreads to the kidneys, which is a serious infection, you may have symptoms like:
- fever
- upper back pain
- nausea and vomiting
Most UTIs aren’t serious if treated promptly with antibiotics. But if left untreated, the infection can spread up to the kidneys and bloodstream and become life threatening. Kidney infections can lead to kidney damage and kidney scarring.
Symptoms of a UTI usually improve within 2-4 days after starting antibiotics. Many doctors prescribe an antibiotic for at least 3 days.
Menopausal and post menopausal women are more prone to getting UTIs because of the loss of estrogen that causes thinning of the tissues in the bladder and urethra. This makes it more prone to repeated infections.
However, some UTIs don’t clear up after antibiotic therapy, which may mean that a different type of antibiotic is required. The overuse or misuse of antibiotics can also contribute to antibiotic resistance, a growing problem that can make it more challenging to treat issues like recurrent UTIs. Because of this risk, experts have been looking for other ways to treat UTIs alongside antibiotics.
Cranberries
I’m sure we’ve all heard to take cranberries for a UTI. Cranberries may contain an ingredient that stops bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract.
Though research is inconclusive, some studies suggest that you might be able to reduce your risk of UTIs with cranberry products, including unsweetened cranberry juice, cranberry supplements, or dried cranberries. But other studies have shown that the use of cranberries to prevent UTIs doesn’t produce consistent results, so more research is needed.
Cranberries didn’t really work for me.
Pee More
The more you drink, the more you’ll urinate, which can help flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract.
This seems counter intuitive, but drinking more does seem to help with symptoms. It doesn’t clear out the infection though.
Garlic supplements
I needed to find a solution. When I called the doctor for an appointment to get treated, I had to wait two weeks for an appointment. Yeah, that doesn’t really work for me. I have had good success nipping UTIs in the bud if I start taking garlic as soon as the symptoms start. After two days of taking garlic, symptoms are cleared up. However, I was still getting the symptoms repeatedly, every month or two. I’d rather not get the symptoms at all.
Other suggested methods include probiotics and hormone replacement.
D-Mannose
D- Mannose is a type of sugar that’s related to glucose, but it doesn’t behave like typical sugar. It is actually found in several foods such as cranberries, apples, beans and other foods.
D-Mannose prevents certain bacteria from clinging to the urinary tract walls. If it can’t hold on, it is less likely to cause an infection.
D- Mannose is known to be safe for most adults when taken up to 6 months. 6 months, because there haven’t been many studies beyond that length of time. I have however, read peoples comments that they have taken it for years and have had no issues.
It is recommended for preventing UTIs, so I began taking it when I was free of a UTI. I wouldn’t recommend it to cure a UTI, although some people have said it worked for that.
I take D-Mannose in a loose powder, although it does come in capsules. Capsules are more expensive, of course. They also tend to have fillers. The pure powder has no other ingredients. It has a very slight sweet taste. It is recommended to take it in the morning on an empty stomach. Just mix it into a glass of water.
Side Effects
Side effects of taking too much can be diarrhea and nausea.
It is not known if it is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it is best to avoid taking then.
I have struggled the last few years following menopause with recurrent UTIs. Even antibiotics didn’t always work. However, since I started taking D-Mannose, I have not had a single one. Hallelujah. I will continue taking this. It is not expensive. I put one scoop in my morning water and that’s it.
If you are struggling with recurrent UTIs and have tried many remedies, consider trying this. Do your research of course, or talk to your doctor for approval if you have other issues such as diabetes or are on medications.
Some sources:
D-Mannose: A natural substance with remarkable benefits for urinary health
Peppers and Planks 