A urinary tract infection is an infection involving the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys. These four areas comprise of the urinary tract, where urine passes through our body.
Our kidneys drain urine through two ureters (a narrow tube, approximately 30cm long) into our bladder. Our bladder collects and stores urine until it passes through the urethra, the tube that connects the bladder with the outside of the body. Any part of this system can become infected, resulting in a UTI.
Normal urine is sterile, but when bacteria get into the urine an infection can occur. A typical UTI will usually start at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body. This opening is the most likely place bacteria may enter the urinary tract.
The bacteria E. Coli which is typically found in the colon and around the anus causes more than 90% of UTIs.
The most common way the bacteria make their way from around the anus to the urethra is from sexual intercourse or incorrect wiping.
The bacteria can travel up the urethra into the bladder where they can grow and cause a painful infection. Urinating, or emptying the bladder regularly can flush the bacteria out of the urethra before it makes it’s way into the bladder and causes any damage.
The worst case scenario happens when the bacteria make it from the bladder to the kidneys which can cause a kidney infection, at which point you will want to seek immediate medical treatment.
Some people with medical conditions such as a spinal cord injury may not be able to empty their bladder properly and become more susceptible to urinary tract infections.
People with suppressed immune systems and sexually active women are also at a higher risk.
Urine can be tested for infection quickly and easily by urinating on a test strip available at most pharmacies and doctors.
Anyone with an upper urinary tract infection involving the kidneys should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Urine can be tested for infection quickly and easily by urinating on a test strip available at most pharmacies and doctors.
Anyone with an upper urinary tract infection involving the kidneys should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Urinary Tract Infection symptoms can be broken up into the lower and upper urinary tract.
Urinating every 10-30 minutes
A painful burning in the urethra when urinating
Constantly feeling the neet to urinate
A change in colour and smell of your urine is worth noting.
One may experience pelvic discomfort
Inflammation from the infection will result in pain
The infection may cause a fever.
You may feel sick and lose your appetite.
The fever may cause you to experience chills.
An infected kidney can become inflammation and painful.
A bladder infection, also called Cystitis, can occur if bacteria enters through the urethra and infects the bladder. The body usually rids itself of bacteria by flushing it out through urine, however sometimes the bacteria can stick to the walls of the bladder and multiply rapidly.
Women are more susceptible to getting UTIs as their urethra are smaller than men’s. Men also produce a protective hormone from their prostate gland to kill off bacteria that may enter.
Typically, a UTI will only affect the lower urinary system (the bladder and the urethra) however if left unaddressed a UTI can travel up to the upper urinary organs and result in what is known as Pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is potentially very serious as the infection can spread systemically and get into the bloodstream.
The kidneys play a vital role in the body, and it’s crucial that pyelonephritis is addressed immediately by a medical professional as it can have long-term effects. People with diabetes or those with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to this infection. Pyelonephritis can almost always be cured with antibiotics.
A bladder infection, also called Cystitis, can occur if bacteria enters through the urethra and infects the bladder. The body usually rids itself of bacteria by flushing it out through urine, however sometimes the bacteria can stick to the walls of the bladder and multiply rapidly.
Women are more susceptible to getting UTIs as their urethra are smaller than men’s. Men also produce a protective hormone from their prostate gland to kill off bacteria that may enter.
Typically, a UTI will only affect the lower urinary system (the bladder and the urethra) however if left unaddressed a UTI can travel up to the upper urinary organs and result in what is known as Pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is potentially very serious as the infection can spread systemically and get into the bloodstream.
The kidneys play a vital role in the body, and it’s crucial that pyelonephritis is addressed immediately by a medical professional as it can have long-term effects. People with diabetes or those with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to this infection. Pyelonephritis can almost always be cured with antibiotics.
Once a diagnosis has been made by either a test strip or a urine sample sent to a lab, treatment will vary.
Upper UTI – Antibiotics
For serious UTIs in the upper urinary tract, the bacteria may need to be analysed to accurately prescribe the correct antibiotics. Depending on how sick the patient has become, they may require IV fluids and oral antibiotics for a week.
Lower UTI – D-mannose
With a UTI limited to the lower urinary tract, using D-mannose frequently throughout the day is a great way take control of the infection and minimise the symptoms.
Drinking cranberry juice is often recommended for the treatment of UTIs, as studies have shown that cranberry juice can help promote a healthy flora, thus enhancing the immune system and your urinary tract. The downfall of incorporating large amounts of cranberry juice into your diet though is that it is naturally high in fructose, which can undoubtedly affect your blood sugar levels, causer stress on your liver, as well as have other health repercussions.
The great news though is that the active ingredient found in cranberry juice; D-mannose, has now been isolated and can be used for the treatment of UTIs. Unlike fructose (naturally high in cranberry juice), D-mannose will not convert to glycogen or get stored in your liver. It also won’t interfere with blood sugar regulation, as only small amounts are metabolized by the body, making it an excellent alternative for those with diabetes. In its pure form D-mannose can be 10-50 times stronger than cranberry juice, with no adverse side-effects on your health
“D-Mannose is a naturally occurring sugar found in cranberries that has been proven to help prevent and reduce the severity of urinary tract infections. It is the active ingredient in cranberries, minus the sugar that usually comes in large amounts with the juice. D-mannose works by inhibiting bacteria from lining the walls of the urinary tract. If the bacteria can’tlatch onto the urethra or bladder, it is less likely to cause an infection.”
How Does D-Mannose Work?
Mannose is a monosaccharide (simple sugar) which is naturally produced in the body, and can be found lining the walls of your urinary tract. The UTI causing bacteria which feed off these simple sugars, latch onto the walls of your bladder and use these sugars as a source of fuel. When high levels of D-mannose can be found in your urine however, the bacteria are provided with bait and will latch onto these sugars instead, helping flush the bacteria out of your body.
If the urinary tract infection has made its way into the kidneys, antibiotics are the go-to treatment. For serve bladder infections, again antibiotics would be the first call of treatment.
Although a course of antibiotics is often prescribed for the treatment of UTIs as a way of killing the unwanted bacteria in the urinary tract, it should only be used as a last resort, as these antibiotics will also kill the ‘friendly’ bacteria in the gut, causing digestive issues and yeast infections.
Using a treatment such as D-mannose, which can be used just as effectively as antibiotics, without any of the side effects, is a long-term solution which won’t comprise other areas of your health.
Recurrent UTIs should be further looked into in order to find the underlying urinary tract problem that may be the cause. If not treated correctly, a severe urinary tract infection can cause scarring of the urinary tract. Short-term kidney damage can occur with the infection spreading into the bloodstream.
A few easy ways to reduce the risk of a urinary tract infection include:
People with diabetes are at a higher risk of UTIs as the higher levels of blood glucose provide an idea environment for bacteria to thrive. Diabetics should take extra precaution in keeping blood sugar down.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection limited to the urinary tract, urethra, bladder, kidneys.
Bacteria has made it’s way into your urethra. This could have been through improper wiping, sex or any means of E. Coli getting from the anus to the urethra.
Treatments vary depending on the severity and time of your UTI.
For the first couple of days D-mannose is a fantastic way of controlling the UTI and relieving pain. If the UTI goes longer and you develop a bladder or kidney infection antibiotics are required.
Make sure you always urinate after sex and wipe front to back. Maintain decent hygiene and a healthy immune system and your chances will drastically reduce.
If you’re prone to regular UTIs, small dose of daily D-mannose can help prevent getting a UTI.
The most common early symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection are: