FREAK OUT!
Just kidding, don’t freak out if you have a urinary tract infection. Ok, maybe go have one little scream…but come back ready and willing to kick that urinary tract infection out of your life forever! (Yes, FOREVER).
First Things First
Itching, burning, urine that smells off, maybe some blood or pus in your pee? If these are your symptoms, go to the doctor. Like, now. ESPECIALLY if you’re having middle-to-lower back pain where your kidneys are located.
Urinary tract infections are primarily treated with antibiotics, and science has yet to determine any other treatment that is as effective in ridding the body of an active urinary tract infection.
Antibiotics: Necessary Or Just Evil?
I know, I know, you’ve been getting UTIs for literally years and every time the doc prescribes antibiotics it’s only a temporary fix. Plus antibiotics weaken your immune system, leaving you susceptible to all kinds of other pathogens. Not to mention the side effects.
It can be a necessary evil, though, to get rid of that infection. Just make sure to educate yourself on the types of antibiotics available and how some strains of bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics.
SEE ALSO: A Safer Alternative: Why Prevention Is Better Than Antibiotics For UTIs
Recurrent…Or Unresolved Urinary Tract Infection?
Remember, if your recurrent UTI comes back within two weeks of treatment, it means that the antibiotics probably did not work. Which could mean that your strain of urinary tract infection is resistant to whatever the doc prescribed you.
In this instance, your doctor should request a more extensive urinalysis and urine culture to determine what kind of bacteria is causing your infection and what antibiotics it might be resistant to. Don’t be afraid to ask about this process!
All that being said, there are a few things you can do to keep from getting an active infection in the first place, preventing you from having to resort to antibiotics.
SEE ALSO: Why You Shouldn’t Chug Cranberry Juice When You Have A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Let’s Talk UTI Prevention
UTIs don’t discriminate between healthy and sick women. Just because you are generally healthy and have a strong immune system, does not mean you will not get a UTI.
That being said, it never hurts to ensure you do not have other underlying health issues such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Urinary Incontinence, or other conditions that might affect your urinary tract and make you more prone to urinary tract infections.
If you think you have a chronic condition such as the ones mentioned above, get your general practitioner to refer you to a specialist to get it worked out. YOU are your best advocate. Don’t be afraid to come in with questions and research you’ve conducted yourself.
SEE ALSO: Can You Only Get UTIs From Sexual Activity?
Things You Can Do From Your Couch
The most important and literally life-changing thing you can do is Drink. More. Water. Studies have proven over and over again the positive effects of amping up your fluid intake. One study demonstrated that women prone to recurring urinary tract infections who increased their fluid intake by 1.5 liters per day were significantly less likely to have another episode of UTI.1
In addition to increasing your water intake, take d-mannose daily. Researchers have found that taking d-mannose to prevent UTI is just as effective as taking Nitrofurantoin, a common antibiotic prescribed for urinary tract infection.
What is d-mannose? Click here to watch a 50 second video about it. Some studies found it to be just as effective for UTI prevention as antibiotics, with none of the scary side effects. What’s not to love?
Where To Find D-Mannose
D-mannose, a naturally-occurring sugar found in berries and other fruit, is the primary ingredient in Dmanna. Dmanna is daily d-mannose powder that is already pre-measured and packaged in convenient packets that you can easily stir into a glass of water or other liquid. The powder is odorless and tasteless, and best of all, proven by science to prevent 85% of urinary tract infections.
Why not take Dmanna’s UTI prevention powder for a test run? Click here to find out how.
- Drinking More Water Reduces Repeat Urinary Tract Infections
- D-mannose powder for prophylaxis of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a randomized clinical trial.