Not for Women Only

Although one in five women develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetimes, men and women can experience the discomfort of a UTI -- some on a regular basis.

UTIs are relatively common, but they should not be ignored. An untreated infection in the urethra may spread to the bladder (cystitis) or the kidneys (pyelonephritis), potentially causing kidney damage. "UTIs need to be diagnosed by a doctor and distinguished from another type of disease, such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD)," says Eliot W. Edwards, ND, a naturopathic doctor at the Center for Integrative Health and Healing in Delmar, New York. This is particularly important when you're experiencing a UTI for the first or second time and are not sure what's going on.

About UTIs

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria (usually Escherichia coli, or E. coli) that enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply in the bladder. Usually your body removes the bacteria, and you have no symptoms, but some people are prone to infection, including people with diabetes or with conditions such as an enlarged prostate.

Women are especially prone to UTIs because they have a much shorter urethra. Menopausal changes that cause vaginal tissue to thin make women even more susceptible to UTIs.

Symptoms of a UTI include pain or stinging during urination and an urgent need to urinate constantly, even when there's little urine to expel. Additionally, you may experience pressure in your lower abdomen... you may feel tired, shaky or feverish... and your urine may smell strong or look cloudy, milky or reddish in color.

The common medical treatment for UTIs is antibiotics. Of course, these suppress both good and bad bacteria, leaving you vulnerable to future infections. It is better, if possible, to take steps to head a UTI off without resorting to antibiotics, says Dr. Edwards.

Treatment options

Dr. Edwards's front-line treatment to clear a UTI is a combination herbal tincture that contains uva ursi, usnea, cornsilk and buchu, as well as marshmallow and astragalus. "These herbs have different properties that act synergistically, not just to quell the infection but to strengthen the urinary system," he says. While many of these tinctures can be found on the shelves of health-food stores, they are medicines that should be used under the supervision of a trained doctor or herbalist, who may vary the formula or the proportions based on the particular patient.

He also recommends...

Alternating "naturopathic sitz baths." Direct hot water to the pelvis for three minutes… follow with cold water for 30 to 60 seconds… repeat three times. Perform twice a day when infection is present. This increases blood flow to the area, which helps quell inflammation and bring nutrient-rich blood to the area, Dr. Edwards explains. A hand-held shower attachment works well.

Three to five grams a day of vitamin C (which acidifies your urine so bacteria can't grow easily) during infection. Warning: High doses of vitamin C in this concentration can cause loose stools in some patients. If you experience this, alert your doctor.

D-mannose, a naturally occurring sugar that's available as a supplement in powdered form. Take one-half teaspoon (approximately 900 mg) three times a day for two weeks [during infection? and continue even when symtoms are gone?]?. According to Dr. Edwards, the microorganisms causing the UTI attach to the d-mannose and are excreted from the urinary tract.

Note: The above options should be used under the guidance of a naturopathic physician.

If symptoms don't resolve in five to seven days, tell your doctor. You may need antibiotics, says Dr. Edwards.

Preventing UTIs

A classic do-it-yourself preventive treatment for UTIs is cranberry juice, which contains substances that make it hard for bacteria to adhere to the wall of the bladder. Dr. Edwards is not opposed to patients drinking cranberry juice to ward off UTIs, but he cautions against consuming large amounts of sugar (which can feed bacteria) from juice. For those who have success with cranberry juice, Dr. Edwards suggests that they try diluting unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate (available at natural-food stores) or trying cranberry extract capsules. A reliable source of cranberry extract capsules is Eclectic Institute of Sandy, Oregon, sold under the Latin name Vaccinium macrocarpon.

If you have chronic UTIs, you may need to make some lifestyle changes. "From a holistic perspective, there could be many causes," says Dr. Edwards.

Here's what he suggests...

Figure out your food sensitivities. Food sensitivities don't create an immune response as allergies do, but they can promote a low-grade inflammatory reaction that predisposes people to infections. Wheat, dairy and citrus fruits often cause sensitivity. Try eliminating them from your diet for four to six weeks, then note what happens when you add them back in. Any sort of gastrointestinal upset, mood changes or increased congestion should alert you to problems.

Drink more water. Aim for one-half ounce per pound of body weight. (A 140-pound woman needs 70 ounces a day -- more if she's active.)

Pay attention to hygiene. Especially important for women: Wiping front to back helps decrease the amount of bacteria introduced into the urethra.

Minimize chemicals you come in contact with. That includes douches, which can interrupt good bacterial flora. Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetic. Use mild laundry detergents without perfumes. Skip bubble baths. Vaginal creams and spermicides also can cause problems.

Urinate after sex. It helps flush out bacteria.

Balance your diet. Alcohol and refined carbohydrates supply a lot of sugar, which feeds bacteria that can promote infection.

Avoid coffee and caffeinated drinks. These are dehydrating, which negatively impacts the bladder.

If you think you have a UTI, talk to a doctor formally trained in naturopathic treatments, preferably a naturopathic physician. If you are prone to UTIs, consider the above lifestyle changes and talk to your practitioner about when to do-it-yourself and when antibiotics are required.

Sources...

Eliot W. Edwards, ND, naturopathic physician, Center for Integrative Health and Healing, Delmar, New York. He is past vice president, NY Association of Naturopathic Physicians, and is currently an adjunct professor at State University of New York, College at Oneonta.