The name Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is pretty self-explanatory. It can be simply understood as an infection caused in any part of the urinary system like bladder, urethra or kidneys.  It is most commonly found in women, but men may also be susceptible to it.

A bladder infection may cause pelvic pain, increased urge to urinate, pain with urination and blood in the urine. A kidney infection may cause back pain, nausea, vomiting and fever.

Normally, urine of a person does not have bacteria in it as urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. But sometimes bacteria can enter the urinary system form outside of the body, causing problems like infection and inflammation. UTI is a temporary infection and can be treated easily by various methods.

Before we look at some of these options, let’s understand the causes of the infection.

What causes UTI?

The urethra, a tube that takes urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, is close to the anus. Bacteria from the large intestine, such as E. coli, can sometimes get out of your anus and into your urethra. From there, they can travel up to your bladder and, if the infection isn’t treated, can continue on to infect your kidneys. Women have shorter urethras than men. That makes it easier for bacteria to get to their bladders, hence increasing their chances of acquiring UTI. Some other causes include:

• Sexual intercourse
• Genetic makeup in women
• Shape of urinary tract
• Women with diabetes are at higher risk levels due to weakened immune system
• Hormone changes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Kidney stones
• Stroke/ Spinal cord injury

UTI treatment

Like mentioned above, there are several ways to treat to UTI. Here are some options available in the market.

Antibiotics usually are the first line treatment for urinary tract infections, which drugs are prescribed and for how long, depend on your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine. Drugs commonly recommended for UTIs include:

• Amoxicillin/augmentin
• Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
• Cephalexin (Keflex)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Fosfomycin (Monurol)
• Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
• Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
• Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra)

Which group of antibiotics will be prescribed to you depends on complicated your infection is. The antibiotics for UTI also may come with some side effects like rashes, diarrhoea, nausea, headaches, never or tendon damage etc. 

Ayurvedic treatment for UTI is the more natural route to go. Treatment using Ayurveda is using home remedies and natural ingredients to cure the infection. Here are a few options in that realm:

• Drinking plenty of liquids: Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease the risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Increasing Vitamin C intake: Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease the risk of UTIs by making the urine more acidic, thus killing off infection-causing bacteria. This includes consuming citrus fruits, berries, peppers, potatoes etc.
• Unsweetened Cranberry juice: Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for urinary tract infection treatment. Some studies show that cranberries could help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract. Keep in mind that these benefits only apply to unsweetened cranberry juice, rather than sweetened commercial brands.
• Probiotics: Probiotics are forms of good microorganisms that are found in some foods and supplements. They maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut. Some foods with probiotics are yogurt, kombucha, kefir, kimchi etc. You can consume probiotics along with your antibiotics course.
• Natural supplements: Some choices for natural supplements are: 

1. D-Mannose: This is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries and has been shown to be effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence.
2. Bearberry leaf: Also known as uva-ursi. One study showed that a combination of bearberry leaf, dandelion root and dandelion leaf decreased UTI recurrence 
3. Cranberry extract: Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
4. Garlic extract: Garlic has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs

Apart from these treatment and remedy options, it is absolutely important to maintain bathroom hygiene as UTI is caused by foreign bacteria entering the body. Inculcate practices like peeing after intercourse, wiping toilet seats before use and keeping your urinary parts dry post using washroom. UTI is very commonly found and can be quite difficult to deal with if not treated at the right time. Seek help and find solutions which will work for you.

&Me offers one such solution which is suitable for one and all. &Me UTI Drink is a complete drink for prevention and management of UTI. A unique blend of Ayurvedic herbs and micronutrients helps in Flush Toxins, Resists Bacteria, Soothes Pain, Reduces Frequent Urination, Reduces Burning sensation.

&Me UTI drink contains 18mg of Cranberry PAC A – the active ingredient found in Cranberries that is clinically proven to help remove bacteria from urinary tract. 18mg of Cranberry PAC A = 100+ cranberry or 20 glasses of market cranberry juice. We also add Herbs that help sooth the pain and micronutrients that help replenish the body of the loss of nutrients. With Absolutely NO added sugar or artificial ingredients.