URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
by Jenine Cohoon, MHN, PhDc

Believe it or not, there are some simple, easy and fast solutions for Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). This may be hard to believe if you have tried everything! Pinpointing the cause is critical, of course. A whopping 90% of all bladder infections are caused by E. Coli bacteria. The good news is that attacking E. Coli is much easier than you might think! For the other 10% that have a UTI not caused by E. Coli, there is also a solution (read on)!

What is a UTI?
The urinary tract is a filtering system in the body for the removal of liquid waste. Women are especially susceptible to a UTI. Although most UTIs are not serious, they can be painful. Approximately 50% of all women may have at least one UTI in her lifetime with many having several infections throughout their life.

Men can also get a UTI. Unfortunately, most UTIs are treated with antibiotics. Although antibiotics may cause symptoms to quickly disappear initially, they do little to treat the remaining cause and as so many know, the symptoms quickly return.

Symptoms of Bladder / Urinary Tract Infections
There are a variety of symptoms that may indicate the presence of a bladder or urinary tract infection, and the intensity of the symptoms may be mild to severe (or even life threatening in some cases). Symptoms may include:

• Incontinence
• Burning sensation upon urination
• Sensation of urgency to urinate without the ability to void completely
• Reddish or cloudy urine
• Foul smelling urine
• Lower abdominal pain
• Frequent urination

Symptoms of Kidney Infections (acute pyelonephritis)
Kidney infection is a potentially dangerous form of UTI that results when a bladder infection is left untreated and bacteria continue to migrate up the ureters to the kidney. Symptoms of kidney infections include:

• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urination
• Increased urgency to urinate
• Lower back pain
• Chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Escherichia Coli
Surprisingly, Escherichia Coli (E. Coli) is a normal bacterium found in every intestinal tract. It is a part of the natural microflora residing therein. This bacteria is necessary for maintaining a properly functioning intestinal tract. When out of balance, it can have a disruptive effect on overall health, especially immune system function.

E. Coli bacteria has its rightful place in the human body, when it resides and stays in the right place. It can wreak havoc when it finds its way into the wrong place like the urinary tract. E. Coli bacteria present in the vagina migrate into the urethra and onward to the bladder, which is why many women end up with a bladder infection every time they have intercourse. The reason E. Coli bacteria present such a persistent problem is that their chemical makeup allows them to stick like glue to the inner walls of the urinary tract and bladder. Antibiotics offer little help at this point. Although antibiotics may kill the unwanted invader it also upsets the delicate friendly bacteria balance (E. Coli being in both groups!).

D-Mannose to the Rescue
D-Mannose is a simple sugar. It is a naturally occurring sugar found in cranberry and pineapple juice. When ingesting D-Mannose most of it is rapidly absorbed through the stomach and upper GI tract before reaching the intestines thus emptying into the urine through the kidneys. Only a very small amount of D-Mannose is actually metabolized by the body. In essence, the body treats D-Mannose as a waste product. How can this be helpful? The chemical structure of D-Mannose allows it to adhere to E. Coli bacteria even more tenaciously than E. Coli adheres to human cells. With a sufficient level of D-Mannose present, normal urination becomes a simple and effective treatment! E. Coli cells coated by D-Mannose in the urine become unglued and get flushed right out of the body!

D-Mannose (specifically the Manno-Max label) has no side effects, is naturally occurring, does not kill friendly bacteria, does not disrupt normal body function, does not interfere with blood sugar regulation, is safe for pregnant women and small children, is hypo-allergenic, is dye free, is preservative free, is yeast free, and inexpensive.

The Other 10%
If you have tried D-Mannose with the proper loading dose without relief after several days I would try the solution that Mayo clinic physicians came up with in the 1920s. This solution can actually help 100% of UTI's but doesn't taste nearly as good as D-Mannose and may often require a prescription, says Dr. Wright, who has an intimate knowledge of UTI treatment. Dr. Wright reports that in some rare cases, this alternate solution can cause allergic reactions so D-Mannose would be the best first choice. The alternate solution is a saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI), also known as Iodine. Dr. Wright recommends the same dosage that was recommended by the Mayo Clinic 80 years ago: 15 drops every three to four hours. For more information on SSKI check with the Tahoma Clinic Dispensary or compounding pharmacies. Work with your physician on this one.

Our magnificent bodies want to heal and be well! It is amazing how quickly it can accomplish this when the cause can be pinpointed and you know the right solution to implement! Be well and healthy, and happy holidays!

References:

• http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/bladderhealth/a/UTI.htm
• http://www.globalsweet.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=DMFQ
• http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?
  requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/kidn/utri/alert04192000.jsp
  Nutrition & Healing November 2007 Newsletter by Dr. Wright.

*DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only. It is not meant to either directly or indirectly diagnose, give medical advice or prescribe treatment. Unless specifically referenced, the information has not been scientifically validated or approved by any government or regulatory agency. Please consult with your physician or other licensed health care professional for medical diagnosis and treatment. Recommendations are based on nutritional support to rejuvenate the body and based solely on what I would do if it were me.