Banish UTI Burn with a Remedy that Won’t Cause Antibiotic Resistance

Thank you to Ocean Spray® for sponsoring this blog post. All opinions are my own.

The burning, the pressure, the discomfort: the all-too-familiar symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) send many women to their doctor for an antibiotic. But that treatment may be doing more harm than good.

Antibiotic resistance describes what happens when an antibiotic loses its ability to stop particular bacteria. In short, the medicine doesn’t work anymore, allowing bacteria to continue to multiply in the body. Now considered a serious problem by medical experts, antibiotic resistance turns what are commonly run-of-the-mill illnesses into potentially deadly infections.

Each year, at least two million people are infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and more than 23,000 die from the resulting infections [1]. And that’s just in the United States.

Overuse of these medications is the culprit behind antibiotic resistance. If we find ways to reduce our use of antibiotics, relying on them only when necessary, it becomes harder for bacteria to develop a resistance.

How to Reduce Antibiotic Consumption

The UTI is a common health issue. One in five women will develop a UTI in her lifetime, and the condition triggers a staggering 8.1 million healthcare visits each year [2, 3].

Dr. Jennifer Berman, urologist and co-host of the Emmy Award-winning “The Doctors,” says, “UTIs are so common and antibiotics are most often prescribed as the first line of treatment. Some women with recurring UTIs may even be put on low-dose antibiotics.”

While antibiotics are effective at relieving UTI symptoms, like painful urination, abdominal discomfort, and frequent urge to urinate, their use also boosts the risk of antibiotic resistance.

So is there a way women can prevent UTIs without turning to antibiotics?

Cranberries: Natural UTI Relief

Berman says cranberries may hold the key. Yes, that zingy juice you drink with breakfast may help reduce UTIs and, in turn, lower the need for antibiotics.

Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests consuming cranberry juice daily cuts recurrent symptomatic UTIs in women by almost 40 percent [4]. Berman says, “I definitely recommend drinking one eight-ounce glass a day of cranberry juice to help prevent the bacteria from sticking in the urinary tract, which causes infections.”

Get Smart about Antibiotics: #DrinktoDefend Your Health

As consumers, we all have a responsibility to lower our reliance on antibiotics—it is a must-have step toward protecting our health and the health of those we love. Evidence suggests cranberries may provide a natural alternative to prevent UTI symptoms without the use of antibiotics. Other natural UTI prevention tips include:

· Wear underwear made from natural materials, like cotton;

· Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom;

· Urinate after intercourse to help flush bacteria out of the urinary tract;

· Drink more water.

Understand more about Antibiotic Resistance by visiting www.cranberryhealth.com, and learn why cranberries, like those in Ocean Spray® Cranberry Juice Cocktail, may prevent UTIs naturally:

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If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, always consult your healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment guidance.

Thank you to Ocean Spray® for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

Resources

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[2] National Kidney Foundation

[3] National Institutes of Health

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ocean Spray®. The opinions and text are all mine.