Urinary tract infection symptoms: SHOCK news that cranberry juice will NOT cure condition

Nutrionist Sarah Flower looked over the common mis-truths and separated the fact from the fiction for Express.co.uk.

A common belief is that cranberry juice will heal a UTI, something Sarah confirms is true – although there is a catch.

She said: “Whilst it is true that cranberries can help to fight off UTI’s, you would have to drink vast quantities of cranberry juice for the effects to be seen, because of the high sugar and water content.

“Instead, harnessing the components of cranberries that fight off UTI’s, such as D-Mannose and sulphuric acid, prevent the bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls. I would therefore recommend taking a d-mannose supplement, such as d-mannose from Power Health or cranberry capsules rather than drinking cranberry juice.”

However, don’t discount drinking liquid altogether, as dehydration can prolong a UTI.

Sarah explained: “If you have a bacterial infection, drinking very little throughout the day can make the bacterial infection spread quicker as it is not being flushed away, so left to multiply.”

As well as dehydration, poor hygiene can also cause a urinary tract infection.

Sarah said: “Although hygiene is not necessarily the cause of UTI’s, most infections are due to an excess of bacteria. Organisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus are the most likely to cause infection, and, as urine is sterile, the bacteria is more likely to come from the area around the vagina, the bowel or even the digestive tract.”

And it is not only women who suffer with UTI’s – a common misconception.

Sarah confirmed: “Women are 10 times more prone to contracting UTI’s than men, due to the physical differences between the male and female anatomy. “However, what is often overlooked is that men can also contract UTI infections and it is just as dangerous for them.”

Another commonly held belief is that only sexually active women get UTI’s, however this is also false.

Sarah said: “Although women are more prone to UTI’s after sex due to the proximity of the urethra and the closeness to the vagina, you can get UTI’s at any age.

“It is also worth noting that women who use contraceptives such as condoms, diaphragms, and spermicides may be more prone to UTI’s due to a possible allergic reaction to the products, as well as the friction on the sensitive tissue surrounding the vagina.”

For those who are concerned they may have a UTI, what are the symptoms to look out for?

Sarah revealed: “Symptoms can range from frequent, painful, and urgent urination, lower abdominal or back pain, cloudy, and smelly urine, or may even contain traces of blood.

“However, what is often overlooked is that you don’t have to have all these symptoms to be suffering from a UTI, some people can simply have lower abdominal or back pain.”

And if you do have it, there is only one way to treat a UTI – antibiotics.

Sarah said: “Treatment can often include a course of antibiotics and should not be ignored as untreated it can lead to kidney infections.

“There also some evidence to suggest that recurrent bladder infections are attributed to frequent use of antibiotic, as it destroys the very delicate natural flora surrounding the urethra and vagina, which protects the area from bacteria.

“We can also upset the bacterial balance with a poor diet, certain medications, and stress, which not only lowers our immune system, but can increase whole body inflammation. 

“The key to helping to prevent recurrent infections is to boost the immune system.”

Cystisis is a common type of urinary tract infection – and one nutritionist advised eating garlic could be a natural cure.