The problem is, when E-coli gets out of the bowel where it belongs and into the bladder, you can get a UTI. The bacteria first travel to the urethra (the canal through which urine is discharged from the bladder), and this can happen in a number of ways:

• In young girls it may occur when they wipe from back to front, instead of from front to back.
• A woman's urethra is short and its opening is near the anus, which allows E. coli quick access to the bladder.
• In some women sexual intercourse seems to set the stage for an E-coli invasion. Women who use a diaphragm are more likely to develop a UTI than women who use other forms of birth control. Recently, researchers found that women whose partners use a condom with spermicidal foam also tend to have growth of E. coli bacteria in the vagina.
• Catheters placed in the urethra and bladder often allow invasion of E. coli.

How to prevent a UTI

• Support your immune system by eating an organic, holistic diet including plenty of fresh fruits and veggies.
• Take D-mannose and cranberry extract.
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water every day to dilute bacteria in the urine.
• Urinate when you feel the need; don't “hold it in.”
• Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
• Cleanse the genital area before and after sexual intercourse, and have your partner do the same.
• Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may irritate the urethra.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods that can further irritate the bladder.
• Wear cotton underwear.
• Manage stress levels by using a stress-reduction technique such as meditation or yoga, or simply set aside 20 minutes a day for yourself.

The natural flow of things

The urinary system is structured to rid the body of waste matter. From the kidneys, urine—which is sterile and usually free of bacteria and viruses, even though it contains waste products—travels down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. The ureters are about eight to 10 inches long. Muscles in the ureter walls constantly tighten and relax to force urine downward away from the kidneys.

The ureters and bladder normally prevent urine from backing up toward the kidneys, and the flow of urine from the bladder helps wash bacteria out of the body. The prostate gland in men produces secretions that slow bacterial growth, and immune defenses in both men and women prevent infection.

But despite these safeguards, urinary tract infections are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year.

Conclusion

Although D-mannose is still relatively unknown in the mainstream medical community, and it has not been tested in human trials, thousands of people who suffer from urinary tract infections swear by its ability to prevent and heal UTIs. Additionally, health practitioners “in the know” have had great results when prescribing it for their patients who have had to resort to antibiotics in the past.

Future research will most likely establish D-mannose as a practical, safe, and effective therapy superior to antibiotics for treating urinary tract infections, and for maintaining urinary tract health.

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References

Articles of Interest from Smart Publications Health & Wellness Update

• Natural Solutions for Overative Bladder Syndrome
• It Might Be Time to Add a Cranberry Extract Supplement to Your Diet!
• Try Cranberry Extract To Prevent Bladder Infections, Tooth Decay and Cancer Cell Growth