Painful UTIs and What To Do About Them!

URINARY TRACT INFECTION 

Lifestyle Recommendations: 

• Stay well-hydrated to facilitate the flushing out of bacteria from the urinary system.

• Urinate at the moment of urging; do not delay as it may increase the risk of bacterial overgrowth.

• Urinate and wash before and after sexual intercourse.  

• Practice good personal hygiene and cleanse genitalia daily. 

• Women should abstain from the use of douches, hygiene sprays, and scented powders. Instead use pure, unscented soap and water. 

• Wear cotton underwear; avoid underwear of silk, polyester, and other lighter material.  

• Avoid wearing thongs and tight-fitting pants/underwear on a regular basis.  

• Avoid sitting for long periods of time; take a break and move/walk after a couple of hours. 

Dietary Tips and Caveats: 

• Avoid all sugars - like high fructose corn syrup and white flour products. As well as refined, high-glycemic, carbohydrates, including cereals and pasta. 

• Drink plenty of filtered water. 

• Avoid dehydrating beverages such as alcohol, caffeinated coffees, and soft drinks. 

• Drink 3-4 glasses per day of unsweetened cranberry juice mixed with water if under 40 years of age (women over 40 may experience bladder irritation from cranberry juice). 

• Get a balance of omega-3 fats (salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines) and omega-9 fats (olive oil, olives, almonds, hazelnuts, and avocados). 

Supplement Recommendations (Designs for Health): 

  • Homeopathic: E. Coli is the common culprit. Our office has this Remedy to specifically target E. Coli.

  • Probiophage DF™: 1- 2 capsules per day with breakfast

  • UT Synergy™: 2 capsules, 3-4 times per day at the onset of symptoms

  • Silvercillin™ Liquid: 1 TBSP, 2 times per day

For Severe Acute Infections:

As part of a maintenance dose in recurrent UTIs:

  • UT Intensive™ Chewables (D mannose and Cranberry): 1 chewable per day along with UT Synergy™


    **If significantly elevated temperature, flank pain, and/or severe burning on urination develop, or if infection persists past several days, a full medical evaluation should be performed and antibiotic therapy considered.


Other Natural Remedies (If you want to purchase these on your own):

*Remember: High Quality Supplements = Greater Results! Don’t skimp on getting the cheapest supplement. You get what you pay for!

  • Cranberry Extract: Cranberry supplements or cranberry juice are often mentioned as a potential preventative measure for UTIs. Some studies suggest that cranberry may help reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining.

  • D-Mannose: D-Mannose is a type of sugar found in cranberries and other fruits. Some people use it as a supplement to help prevent or alleviate UTIs. It is believed to work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining.

  • Probiotics: Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms in the gut and urinary tract. Some research suggests that certain probiotic strains may be useful in preventing UTIs.

  • Vitamin C: Vitamin C may help acidify the urine, making it less favorable for the growth of bacteria. It's not a direct treatment for UTIs but can potentially support urinary tract health.

  • Dandelion Root: Dandelion root is sometimes used in herbal remedies for urinary tract health. It is believed to have diuretic properties and may help flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.

  • Garlic: Garlic is known for its potential antibacterial properties and immune system support. Some people use garlic supplements as a natural remedy, but more research is needed to establish its effectiveness for UTIs.

  • Kimchi: Kimchi has a ton of immune-fighting properties. It’s an acquired taste! Be prepared to have a potential garlic smell! Painful UTIs can be harmful to kidneys so you will do what it takes!



The Effect of Female/Male Hormone Disruptors

This was a very interesting article.  As I read this article I thought about my patient.  He is male in early 50's who had increased urination. He was concerned about waking up at night and losing sleep.  More so about prostate cancer risk.  So he got a series of medical tests including a prostate exam, followed by a vaccination then a PSA blood work, in that order.  What they found was an increased PSA which decreased one month later upon re-testing the PSA levels.  He did not get the prostate exam or the vaccination shot at the time of re-testing.  So one wonders what caused the increased PSA levels?  Thankfully, he did not receive any more invasive procedures because they just wanted to wait and see since PSA levels was already progressing downwards. When he came to my clinic, testing revealed he was affected by plastics which have endocrine disruptors (hormone messer-uppers). The prostate gland is highly susceptible to endocrine disruptors in our environment. Plastic being one of the many endocrine disruptors. Upon further questioning, the patient stated that he had been consuming his water through plastic bottles primarily.  Testing also revealed excessive contamination with bacteria in his body.  After some natural therapies & treatments his urination is less frequent and patient is waking up less at night.  I am curious to see what his next PSA level will show. 

​The original is found here:  http://edrv.endojournals.org/content/early/2012/03/14/er.2011-1050.full.pdf+html

​The layman's version is found here:  

http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2012-03-29/low-doses-of-endocrine-disrupters-can-do-more-harm-than-high-doses-epa-ignores-the-truth/

Copyright © 2012 Dr. Paul Kwik D.C. The articles and opinions presented in this site are for informational purposes only, and are not intended as medical advice. Consult a physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to your symptoms or medical condition.