Normally, the urinary tract contains no bacteria. Bacteria that does enter the urethra and bladder is usually eliminated during urination. If, however, bacteria remains it can easily grow and cause an infection. The risk of a urinary tract infection is greater when the bladder or urethra becomes blocked and the flow of urine is decreased such as with an enlarged prostate or bladder stones. They cause urine to pool in the bladder and bacteria can flourish. In women, sexual intercourse, the use of a diaphragm, the combination of condoms and spermicidal foam and personal hygiene may increase the likelihood of urinary tract infections as well.

There are a number of symptoms that may indicate the presence of a urinary tract infection. They include: a persistent urge to urinate, even after the bladder has be emptied: burning during urination, both when starting and during elimination: a strong, unpleasant odor: urine that may appear cloudy: pain in the back below the ribs: fever, nausea and/or vomiting: blood in the urine.

Recommendations For Wellness

Drink plenty of water.

Take 5000 mg. of Vitamin C daily. It has been shown to inhibit the growth of E. Coli and will increase the acidity of urine, thus creating an unfriendly environment for the growth of infection causing bacteria.

Drink unsweetened cranberry or blueberry juice or try cranberry capsules. Cranberry juice has historically been used to prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the bladder.

Supplement with buchu leaf, which acts as a urinary tract disinfectant and diuretic or use cornsilk juniper, asparagus, horsetail or nettles to increase urinary volume and flush the bacteria out of the urinary tract.

Take a natural antibiotic such as garlic, goldenseal or horseradish to kill infection causing the bacteria.

To sooth the urinary tract try taking marshmallow or slippery elm.