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Urinary tract infections are annoying at best and can be excruciatingly painful if left untreated. ACOG (The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) states that approximately 60% of women are affected by urinary tract infection over their lifetime. While men do experience urinary tract infection as well, they get them at a much lower rate than women; just 5-8 men out of every 10,000 younger than age 50.

Urinary Tract Infection: Cranberry

The NIH (National Institutes of Health) has conducted reviews of medical studies to assess the effectiveness of cranberry to treat urinary tract infection. Cranberry has been shown to be effective, particularly in the prevention of urinary tract infection when taken on a regular basis.

The therapeutic dose of cranberry for preventing urinary tract infection is three 8 oz. glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice per day, or one 300-400mg capsule of dried cranberry twice daily. A higher dose may be taken if a urinary tract infection is already developing.

Urinary Tract Infection: Antibiotics

If you have a urinary tract infection which is not responding to cranberry and increased water consumption, your health care provider will most likely recommend a course of antibiotics. Common drugs used for urinary tract infections include Cipro, Amoxil, and Bactrim.

A fraction of urinary tract infection sufferers will experience problems with recurrent infections. If this is the case, your health care provider may recommend a six month course of antibiotics at a low dosage.

Urinary Tract Infection: Follow-up Testing

If extended antibiotic treatment does not eliminate the recurrent urinary tract infections you may be referred to a urologist. This urinary specialist may order tests that can diagnose problems such as a narrow urethra, backup of urine into the kidneys, or interstitial cystitis which is a chronic condition of the lining of the bladder.

Urinary Tract Infection: Prevention

You can minimize your chances of developing a urinary tract infection by:

- urinating after sexual relations
- drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day
- urinating upon the urge; don't hold it
- wearing all cotton underwear
- forgoing underwear when you sleep
- wearing comfortably fitting clothing; no tight pants for long periods of time

Urinary tract infections are a nuisance and can develop into worse, a kidney infection, if left untreated. With a little prevention and good communication with your health care provider, treatment of this problem doesn't have to be a pain.

Cranberry for the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20041201/2175.html

New Guidelines for Management of Urinary Tract Infection in Nonpregnant Women:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571545