Treating Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Without the Use of Antibiotics

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)? A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) -- commonly known as a bladder infection, kidney infection, or cystitis -- is caused by bacteria that attach to the inside lining of the urinary system or tract.

In over 90% of all urinary tract infections, the culprit is the bacterium E. Coli, used by the body in the digestive system. When invaded by the offensive E. Coli bacteria, the tissues in the urinary system react similarly to how your sinuses react when you have a cold or allergies; they become swollen, inflamed and irritated. This irritation leads to a reduced urine flow, which causes discomfort and pain.

What is the urinary tract? When we speak of the "urinary tract" we are referring to the following:

• Kidneys - they take liquid waste from the blood and form urine
• Ureter - a tube or tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• Bladder - the vessel that stores the urine until it can be passed from the body
• Urethra - the tube that carries the urine from the bladder out of the body

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection? The symptoms of a UTI are many, but some of the most common include:

A frequent urge to urinate.

A reduced or restricted urine flow.

Pain or a "burning sensation" in the bladder area.

Discomfort or pressure above the pubic bone.

Cloudy, milky, or reddish urine. If you have these symptoms in conjunction with a fever, the infection may have spread to your kidneys.

What are the treatment options for a urinary tract infection? The treatment options fall into two separate categories basically defined as "antibiotic" and "naturopathic".

The antibiotic options include a myriad of prescription antibiotics that require a visit to the doctor's office. While antibiotics are typically effective in treating the UTI, many times they are not. And, unfortunately, the antibiotic option can cause side effects as detrimental as the UTI itself.

Because the antibiotics are not discriminating, they kill any and all bacteria despite their purpose. The human body utilizes over 1,000 species of "good bacteria" -- each with their own particular "job" to do. Killing the "good bacteria" can cause a variety of unwanted and unpleasant side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea and yeast infections.

The naturopathic options include two principal options, cranberry and a simple sugar known as d-mannose (http://www.d-mannose-utislip.com/).

The cranberry, or cranberry extract option, has been a staple of folk medicine for hundreds of years. Previously thought to inhibit the proliferation of bacteria in the urinary tract by affecting the pH of the urine, it is now known that cranberry instead interferes with the ability of the bacteria to adhere to the walls of the urinary tract. By doing so, the bacteria are literally flushed out of the system. Recently, however, scientists have discovered a naturopathic alternative to cranberry that is between ten and fifty times more effective. The more effective cranberry alternative is a simple sugar known as d-mannose.

D-mannose is a carbohydrate very similar in structure to glucose, yet it is not readily metabolized by our bodies like glucose. It is this fact that makes d-mannose such a fast-acting treatment.

When even a small amount of d-mannose is consumed, nearly all of it is removed from the bloodstream by the kidneys and deposited into the urine. Once in the urine it travels through the urinary tract until it meets up with E. Coli bacteria. Interestingly, the d-mannose is chemically attracted to the lectins that the bacteria uses to attach itself to the walls of the urinary tract.

Think of the lectins as the suction cups on the tentacles of an octopus. The octopus grabs onto an object with its tentacles, but holds on tightly by contracting the suction cups. Anything that interferes with the ability of the suction cups to grip a surface will greatly reduce the ability of the octopus to "hang on." In a similar way, the d-mannose occupies the lectins so that they are unable to hold on to the wall of the urinary tract and the bacteria are flushed right out of the body during urination. The bacteria are unable to colonize inside the body. No bacteria, no infection.

The treatment is safe, fast, effective and affordable. Best of all is the fact that there are no observed negative side effects when using d-mannose. D-mannose can be taken by the elderly as well as by children, as both age groups are susceptible to frequent urinary tract infections.

How can urinary tract infections be prevented? There are many simple things that can be done to prevent UTI. Wiping from front to back after a bowel movement can prevent bacterial contamination of the vagina for women. Using a bidet instead of toilet paper is also very effective. Showering before and after intercourse is very helpful, as well as urinating after intercourse. Drink plenty of water each day so that your body is able to produce plenty of urine. Urinate when you feel the urge to do so and attempt to empty the bladder completely. Finally, for those who experience frequent UTI, it is advisable to take a maintenance dosage of d-mannose in order to prevent UTI from occurring.

Copyright © 2005 Michael Callen All Rights Reserved

Michael Callen is the author of the Weekly Weightloss Tips Newsletter (http://www.weeklyweightlosstips.com) and the Chief Technology Officer for http://www.WellnessPartners.com, an online retailer of dozens of health and wellness products.

Higgins & Burke Six Flavor Tea Bag Assortment, Variety Tea, 120/Carton

In The News:

---

The best alternative medicine for children
CNN - 5 hours ago
Several alternative treatments have been shown to be safe and effective for kids, experts say. "We would both end up miserable," says Kruse-Field. ...

ABC News
Europe Looks to Alternative Sources for Energy
Wall Street Journal - 17 hours ago
By GUY CHAZAN As Europe counts the cost of Russia's latest gas shut-off, there are signs it could give a boost to alternative sources of gas that currently ...
Video: The gas crisis in Europe online france24english
Europe late with alternative to Russian gas TREND Information
Gas war may boost alternative routes to Europe guardian.co.uk
Canada.com - International Herald Tribuneall 6,883 news articles

CNET News
Linksys offers full wireless alternative to Sonos
CNET News, CA - 22 hours ago
After hinting at a "digital stereo" product in The New York Times last week, Cisco unveiled the details of its Wireless Home Audio System today, ...

CNET News
The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative
CNET News, CA - 19 hours ago
In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet. ...
Nyko brings Wand Wii remote, Charge Station EX and Kama Charge kit ... engadget
all 9 news articles

St. Louis Post-Dispatch
TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - 1 hour ago
By DAVE MATTER In our country, if you don’t like the hand you’re dealt in this game called life, you always have this option: Sue the pants off someone. ...
Shanoff's Wake-Up Call: Who's No. 1, Too? SportingNews.com
BCS brings undisputed uncertainty USA Today
Who really will be No. 1? David Teel Daily Press
all 1,104 news articles

Reuters
Exxon CEO doubts Obama's alternative energy goal
Reuters - 28 minutes ago
In a speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Obama said he wanted the United States to double its output of alternative energy sources ...

ABC News
Obama vows to double US output of alternative energy
France24, France - 5 hours ago
President-elect Barack Obama pledged Thursday to double US production of alternative energy in three years, as part of a raft of stimulus proposals to drag ...
Video: Obama Names Chief Performance Officer AssociatedPress
Obama's green energy plans build hopes, skepticism Reuters
Obama Outlines Recovery and Reinvestment Plan GlobeSt. com
InvestmentNews - Wall Street Journal Blogsall 4,589 news articles

Boston Globe
Airlines Search for Alternatives to Oil as Fuel
New York Times, United States - Jan 6, 2009
Pratt, which has tested alternate fuels in its engines, and others in the aviation industry assert that they will pursue alternatives even in a period of ...
Aviation industry strives to find alternative fuels SmartBrief
Continental ratchets up race to develop alternative fuel for planes GulfNews
Continental First US Airline to Test Biofuels SmarterTravel.com
Scientific American - Bloombergall 256 news articles

Treasury Bond Alternative
Boston Globe, United States - Jan 7, 2009
"Where should I put my money right now? I don't feel comfortable investing in stocks, and I've heard that Treasury bonds are paying next to nothing. ...

Fuel Systems Solutions to Launch US Automotive Alternative Fuel ...
MSNBC - Jan 7, 2009
Since the 1960s, Fuel System Solutions' transportation subsidiary, BRC, based in Cherasco, Italy, has been a major provider of alternative fuel systems ...

alternative - Google News

What Is Herbal Medicine? Is It Safe?

Herbal medicine is the use of plant and herb extracts for their therapeutic value. Most plants contain and produce chemical substances that aid in healing and other... Read More

An ADD Case Study: What Does it Mean to Fail?

Josh is a client of mine who is a junior in college. He's very smart. He's amazingly smart. Talk to Josh for an hour and you'll know... Read More

Aromatherapy ? Part III: Esoteric & Spiritual applications

The Way Essential Oils Effect the Etheric Body or Psycho-spiritual LevelThe historical use of aromatic oils and resins goes back many thousands of years in human history... Read More

Injured Athletes and Acupuncture

I have always been amazed at the clinical results that I have seen with injured athletes and acupuncture. For a while, my wife and I worked closely... Read More

Stuttering Self Help

I am Stephen Hill from Birmingham in England. I started to stutter in childhood at the age of four or five. I attended a lot of different... Read More

The Truth About Dandelions!

Dandelions are not weeds! They are wild vegetables. In Greek mythology, Hecate fed Theseus dandelions for 30 days so he would become powerful enough to defeat the... Read More

10 Essential Food Safety Tips For AIDS Sufferers

Persons with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) are especially susceptible to illness from food-borne pathogens. Because they're at higher risk for severe illness or death, affected persons must... Read More

Headache, Hypnosis, And Stress, A Case History

Now, more that ever, concerned physicians are beginning to ask about and understand the role of non-drug therapies to assist patients with headache. These therapies, alone or... Read More

Can I Be Hypnotised?

If you are conscious, have an IQ higher than about 80 (average is 100), have the ability to concentrate, and also have the ability to dream ?... Read More

Tobacco Hypnosis: Cigarettes Are My Friend

Practicing hypnotherapists hear many peculiar statements from smokers who ask for help in quitting. The idea that cigarettes could be someone's "friend" is just one of them.... Read More

Make Your Own HGH - While You Sleep!

Human Growth Hormone (HGH) has long been viewed as a remedy for aging and the diseases associated with the aging process. Research published in the AMA Journal... Read More

Human Health Modification Using Sun Light and Frequency

Human behavior could be modified using light preferably real sunlight. A person could rest in a hammock while a large fan would rotate at a prescribed speed.... Read More

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being

Taking Control of Your Health & Well-being by Georgianna Donadio D.C., M.Sc., Ph.D. ... Read More

A Lifestyle Approach to Remedy Snoring

If you want to remedy snoring, you have to find the underlying cause. Snoring is not an affliction like the common cold, where you wake up one... Read More

Will This Years Flu Paralyze The US And Canada?

According to the Associated Press on August 26th, the US and Canada may have to close schools, restrict travel and ration scarce medications if a powerful new... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were driving me mad. To make them go away I was eating more, just to try to push... Read More

Pa-Kua Feng Shui Basics

FENG SHUI BASICSFeng Shui (literally "Wind and Water" in Chinese), is all about balance and harmony between us and our environment. Just like the Yin and Yang... Read More

Natural Prevention & Treatment For The Flu: What Your Doctor May Not Know

Flu can affect 10 to 30 percent of the U.S. population each winter. The flu virus can linger in the air for as long as three hours.... Read More

Endorphins ? Strong Painkillers Your Subconscious May Be Able to Provide

The sources of the original "natural high," endorphins and ekephalins can nonetheless lose their ability to kill pain if the situation becomes chronic. Visualizations may be able... Read More

Gestalt Therapy And Hypnosis

The Gestalt approach to therapy can be termed "phenomenological-existential" as it is concerned with an awareness of the here-and-now, working away from concepts and towards pure awareness... Read More

Test Your Indoor Air Quality!

How safe is your Indoor Air?1) Does your home have carpeting?* Carpeting captures dust, dirt, chemicals and everything we track in from the outdoors. Carpeting also outgases... Read More

Voice Care for Recovery from Colds and Vocal Strain

Every singer, no matter how careful they are of their instrument, has times when they have cheered a bit too much for their team, or had three... Read More

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms

Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria in one of the tracts through which urine passes. The infection can occur in the urethra, ureters, or the urinary... Read More

Quantum Biology and Its Uses for Aromatherapy

Bel'Air has brought in cutting edge medical technology from Europe and America, in the form of "Quantum Xrriod C.I System", to allow distributors to understand their health... Read More

Olive Oil: One of the Original Seven Wonders?

Is Olive Oil one of Nature's seven original wonders?According to several resources, Olive oil IS nature's wonder drug. Olive oil is composed of and up to 30mg... Read More

As The Primary Care Giver for an Alzheimer?s Patient, How Can I Get a Break?

Taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's is a huge responsibility and very time consuming. It can bring a lot of stress, frustration and more.... Read More