UTI Holistic Treatment Vs. Antibiotics

The patient who develops frequent urinary tract infections (UTI) may find herself taking repeated courses of antibiotics to kill the bacteria so she can recover from her infection. While antibiotics do good in killing bacterial infections, the patient may want to utilize holistic treatments to eradicate her infection and avoid the undesirable side effects of antibiotics. This article is not intended as medical advice. Please see your physician.

Actions of Antibiotics

• Antibiotics have a good place in the treatment of bacterial infections. They kill the bacteria that are the cause of many different kinds of infections such as ear infections, sinus infections and urinary tract infections (UTI). Antibiotics also kill the "good" bacteria that lines your intestinal system, which can cause the unfortunate side effect of diarrhea.

  If you are suffering from a UTI, you may have developed this infection from E. coli bacteria that is colonized in your small intestine. E. coli has developed the ability to resist the actions of several antibiotics---it has become strong enough that it can resist several antibiotics and is very tough to kill.

Daily Health Practices

• If you develop frequent UTIs, you can take vitamin C and zinc to give your immune system an additional boost to help combat infections. You should take at least 2,000 mg of vitamin C a day.

  You can also eat more high-fiber foods such as broccoli, potatoes, green beans, carrots, onions, grapes, apples, pears and avocados. When you eat these high-fiber vegetables and fruits, you are giving your body additional vitamins and minerals and increasing the quality of your overall health.

  You should also drink at least 12 glasses of water every day in order to keep your urinary tract system and bladder flushed out.

  You can also drink alfalfa juice concentrate, which will help improve your kidney function. Alfalfa juice will help increase the flow of urine and help your body rid itself of toxins. Adding a cranberry fruit tablet increases the effect of the alfalfa juice by adding its infection-fighting benefits.

Natural Treatments

• If you have developed a UTI and have decided you don't want to rely on antibiotics, you need to disinfect your urinary tract and increase its alkalinity. Unsweetened blueberry and cranberry juice both have antiseptic properties that help in killing the bacteria. As an added advantage, cranberry juice will stop bacteria from attaching itself to the lining of the bladder. Note: If you develop a fever or see blood in your urine, contact your doctor immediately.

  Take uva ursi and goldenseal, which are herbal supplements. If you take them as a tea, in capsule form or as a tincture, you are taking advantage of the natural antibiotic qualities.

  Taking probiotic---unsweetened---supplements on a daily basis can also help you to keep bacteria in your urinary tract at healthy levels if you develops UTIs frequently.

  You can also take additional herbal supplements such as cantharis, belladonna, staphysagria and apis.