Urinary tract infection is caused by the intrusion of bacteria into the urinary tract – kidneys, urethra, bladder and ureters. Next to respiratory infections, urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection that can affect the human body.

Here is a recap on some possible reasons why one can have urinary tract infection in case you missed my previous posts:

Bacteria from the digestive system
Normally, urine is free of bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, when bacteria from the digestive system get into the urethra, they multiply and cause infection. The most common type of bacteria is Escherichia coli or more popularly known as E. coli.

Sexual Intercourse
Bacteria may also enter the urinary tract due to sexual intercourse. The most common bacteria that may lead to UTI are Chlamydia and Mycoplasma.

Holding Urine
Holding urine increases the chances for bacteria that may be present in it to multiply. This may lead to infection.

Infection in the urethra is called urethritis. The bacteria do not always stay in the urethra alone. It can travel to the bladder, ureters and eventually into the kidneys. Infection in the bladder is called cystitis while infection in the kidneys is called pyelonephritis.

Urinary tract infections can be treated using antibacterial drugs. For most cases, treatment may last for just a few days to about a week or two.

But if there are obstructions or presence of other diseases, treatment may be prolonged. Infections caused by Chlamydia and Mycoplasma need a longer treatment period.

Aside from using drugs, one could use natural remedy for UTI.

Here is a list of some of them that you can easily follow from home: Read more >>

For many years now, people would always consume cranberry juice, influenced by the thought that the juice has a power to ward off urinary tract infections.

Although the exact reason behind is not yet fully established, there is a study done by the researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) that suggest the fact that the juice create a change in the thermodynamic properties of bacteria within the urinary tract. This would create an energy barrier that helps stop microorganisms from going close enough to latch into the cells and create an infection.

It is normal for any physician to advice patients to consume a lot of water and take cranberry juice together with some supplement in order to treat urinary tract infection.

Here are some pointers about drinking cranberry juice to cure urinary tract infection that may help:

1. Acidic. This is for the reason that the acidic extracts found within the herbs and some berries, like the cranberry for example can create an unfriendly environment that can hinder the outburst of bacteria that attacks the urinary bladder.

Those components found on any cranberry extracts can stop infectious bacteria from going into the walls of the bladder as well of the urethra. Instead, they are flushed out of the body together with urine.

Because of this, UTI patients are expected to consume natural cranberry juice as often as possible instead of simply taking powerful dosage of anti-bacterial medicine.

2. Drink at least seven ounces of cranberry juice each day. If you are going to buy one, remember to go for a 100% cranberry juice and not just any cranberry juice drinks or cocktails given that the later kind contain lesser amount of cranberry juice and a large amount of sugar that can further feed bacteria to grow.

3. Take cranberry juice tablets if you can’t take the taste of the juice. Nevertheless, you need to follow the instructions on the label so you get the right dosage Read more >>