Bladder infections can occur frequently
in postmenopausal women due to thinning and drying of the vaginal lining. And mid-life
women are not immune. "With the loss of estrogen support, the urethra becomes less
flexible and elastic and, like the vagina, it can become easily irritated after sexual
intercourse and, thus, much more prone to infection," reports Susan Lark, MD, in her
book, Women's Health Companion: Self Help Nutrition Guide and Cookbook (Celestial Arts).
"As women age, the lower urinary tract also stops manufacturing anti-adherence
factors, which help to prevent bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall."
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 | Coping With Pain |
- In her book Herbal
Remedies for Women (Prima), medical herbalist Amanda McQuade Crawford offers an herbal
recipe to help restore the urinary tract's normal pH. Herbal Formula I calls for 4 ounces
of uva-ursi
leaf, three ounces of marshmallow leaf, two ounces of yarrow flower
(omit during pregnancy) and one ounce (or to taste) cinnamon bark. Steep the herbs for 10
to 20 minutes, then strain through bamboo or wire mesh. Drink 2 to 5 cups daily for 10
days. Crawford advocates drinking one to two cups per day for a week to 10 days after all
symptoms have disappeared. Or take 1 capsule of each of uva-ursi, marshmallow, and yarrow
flower 3 times a day for 10 days.
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- Diet Strategies
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- Urologist Gillespie has found that women with
cystitis may notice certain foods and beverages (such as alcohol and acidic foods)
exacerbate problems of pain and burning. Gillespie recommends cystitis sufferers avoid
foods like apple juice, apples, apricots, melon, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, citrus
fruits, coffee, ginger, grapes, guava, lemon juice, peaches, pineapple, plums, rhubarb,
strawberries, tea, tomatoes and vinegar. Limit refined sugar: this nutrient may stunt
immune reactions. Most importantly, you can lower the risk of UTIs by drinking liquids.
Water helps flush bacteria from the body so drink at least 6 to 8 eight-ounce glasses of
filtered water daily.
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Product Recommendations |
|
Ultra
Cranberry 1000 is the highest potency, highest quality cranberry supplement ever
formulated. Just one sustained release tablet supplies an unprecedented 1,000 mg of pure
cranberry juice solids. It has never been easier to receive the numerous benefits of this
healthful berry. As part of its commitment to quality, Nature's Plus always uses the most
current, controlled techniques to prevent the damaging effects of moisture, light and
oxidation for all its products. |
|
- Primadophilus Bifidus is designed to
deliver helpful bacteria to the gut. These microorganism strains are essential to
maintaining healthy intestinal flora. Under normal conditions, trillions of bacteria exist
in the intestines. As part of the body's defenses they help maintain good health by
preventing harmful microorganisms from infiltrating the body. Medications taken to combat
illness or infection can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria as an unwanted side
effect. To maintain the healthy balance add Nature's Way Primadophilus Bifidus to your
daily health regimen. Each capsules contains 2.9 billion Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli
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- Garlicin is the most effective garlic
supplement on the market today. It is 100% odor free and has the highest effective allicin
yield of any garlic product.
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