About Vaginal & Urinary Tract Infections

This open excess site was originated Sept 2006 Updated Dec 2007 Welcome Site Map (very helpful) Why Donate Contact Info	Vascular Events a global women’s health initiative to share advancements in women’s health and provide medical perspective about menstrual health, the menopausal transition and post-menopausal health. a primary focus is to address the cause of the health issue, to clear the symptom.
for concerns about the color of menstrual blood, menstrual clots, menstrual cramps and such . . . click here For medical perspective about vaginal & bladder changes during the menopausal transition click here	Clearing Urinary Tract Infections
	The whole herb of Cranberry Fruit (anti-adherence) or the herb Uva Ursi leaf (antimicrobial) are beneficial for clearing urinary tract infections (UTI's). Cystitis a bladder infection, urethritis a urethra infection and pyelonephritis a kidney infection are common in some women because of the close proximity of the anus and urethra. This proximity allows for relatively easy transmission of bacteria from the anus to the urethra and then to the bladder. Most UTI’s are caused from bacteria that is normally found in the intestine such as escherichia coli. Symptoms of UTI's can include one or more of the following: increased urinary frequency or urgency, burning or discomfort with urination (dysuria), cloudy urine, foul or strong urine odor, fever, chills, nausea, abdominal pain or tenderness, and uterine (adnexal) tenderness. Lower urinary tract infections, of the urethra can be prevented and alleviated with a Cranberry Fruit herbal supplement. Pyelonephritis an infection of the kidney and ureters, (the tubes that carry urine away from the kidney), can be alleviated by careful use of the herb Uva Ursi. Kidney infections often result from unmanaged lower urinary tract infections or from occassional backflow of urine from the bladder into the ureter, then kidney. Early symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be alleviated with whole cranberry fruit dietary supplements. Cranberry Fruit (supplement) has bacterial anti-adherence activity. It prevents troublesome bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urethra and bladder. Cranberry juice from the food store is not particulaly helpful because it is diluted and sweetened. The sugar content of cranberry juice will contribute to the bacterial growth of the UTI. Sugar feeds/fuels bacteria and yeast. When bacteria becomes troublesome, it is important to reduce sugar intake. Uva Ursi leaf (an herbal dietary supplement) is effective with more stubborn lower urinary tract infections and kidney (pyelonephritis) infections. Uva Ursi has antimicrobial activity. Uva Ursi contains a glycoside called arbutin, which has an antiseptic effect on the membranes of the urinary tract. As a natural diuretic this herb drains excess water from cells and promotes an antiseptic effect on the kidneys. It is best to take Uva Ursi leaf as directed on the bottle, with a large glass of water and the juice of half a lemon or lime. Taking the Uva Ursi leaf with the lemon or lime juice will help flush out stubborn/intense bacteria over a few days. Uva Uris is a potent urinary antiseptic, after takening the capsule(s) with a large glass of water, within half and hour, urination with increased flow, and chill or moist skin (diaphoresis) is common. Uva Ursi leaf is available at health food stores. A potent supplement contains only Uva Ursi leaf in a gelatin capsule.

. . . less sugar

Phagocytic cells ingest/engulf microbes (bacteria)

so they don’t harm

the body.
The Phagocytic Index is an indicator of

how rapidly a macrophage or

lymphocyte engulfs bacteria.

High blood sugar significantly

reduces the clean up ability of phagocytic cells.

With high sugar intake

the phagocytic index (the immune system)

slows down to a crawl.
To enable the immune system to remove bacteria such as during an

urinary tract infection

it is helpful to restrict sugar intake.

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
with cranberry extract and probiotics such as Lactobacillis

Taking a cranberry herbal capsules (each day) and the probiotic lactobacillus (several times a week) will help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections. Bacteria will not stick to the urethra or bladder and will be flushed out with urination.

When taken as directed on the bottle, an herbal cranberry fruit extract will not harm the body. Cranberry is an antioxidant and a member of the Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin (OPC's) family that includes grapes, cherries and blueberries. Information regarding the probiotic lactobacillus is provided below.

The bacteria associated with most urinary tract infections originates from the colon/intestines. Maintaining a healthy intestinal microflora with probiotics before they become troublesome in the urinary tract will lessen the origin of urinary tract infection.The microflora reinforce the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, helping to prevent the attachment of pathogenic (bacteria) microorganisms. Lactobacilli are normal inhabitants of the intestine and vagina. In the form of a nutritional supplement the probiotic lactobacillus improves the balance of the intestinal microflora.

The microflora is principally comprised of facultative anaerobe and obliqate anaerobe. Lactobacillus is a facultative anaerobe. Bifidobacterium is an obligate anaerobe. Bifidobacteria are primarily inhabitants of the colon and to a lesser degree the vagina. Alterations of the microflora of the intestine may occur with antibiotic use.

Certain yogurts contain the probiotic bifidobacterium and lactobacillus species. Incorporating these specific yogurts in the diet throught out the week helps increase the healthy bacteria and crowd out the more troublesome bacteria.

The connection between

vaginal pH and vaginal infections

Probiotics . . .

stimulate the growth

and/or activity of healthy bacterial species which reinforces the barrier function

of the intestinal mucosa.

This helps prevent the attachment of unwelcome bacteria to the intestinal wall, essentially by crowding them out.

Keep in mind, intestinal bacteria is most often the cause of urinary infections.

Urogenital infections include those that effect the bladder, kidneys, vagina, urethra, and cervix. A healthy intestinal and vaginal flora reduces the risk of urogenital infections.

An important function of the vaginal and cervical epithelial cells is to regulate the pH of the lumen of the lower genital tract. During the reproductive years vaginal luminal pH ranges between 4.5 and 6.0 with mild alkalinization to about 6.5 before ovulation.

Alkalinization above 6.5 is associated with increased risk of vaginal infections, whereas low (acidic) vaginal pH can inhibit the growth of serious pathogens.

The normal vagina of an adult woman is colonised by lactobacilli. This probiotic bacteria produce lactic acid, which maintains an acidic pH and hydrogen peroxide, which acts as an antiseptic agent. Lactobacilli protect the vagina from pathogenic infections and are considered important for vaginal health. Lactobacillus species help acidify vaginal luminal pH which reduces the risk of urogenital infections.

The production of hydrogen peroxide by lactobacillus species is thought to represent a nonspecific antimicrobial defense mechanism of the normal vaginal ecosystem.

Source:
Probiotic Agents to Protect the Urogenital Tract against infection. Gregor Reid
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 73, No. 2, 437S-443s, February 2001

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Information is provided for educational purposes to help individuals form an understanding of biological processes as they effect health. This information is not intended for medical diagnosis or treatment.