What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

A Urinary Tract Infection (a "UTI") is an infection in the urinary tract, which comprises your urethra, bladder, kidneys, and ureters (the connectors between the kidneys and the bladder). Infections are caused by microbes—organisms too small to be seen without a microscope—including fungi, viruses, and bacteria. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs. In fact, E.coli bacteria cause an estimated 75-90% of all urinary tract infections.

About 50% of all women will get a UTI in their lifetime. About 20 percent of young women with a first UTI will have a recurrent infection. With each UTI, the risk that a woman will continue having recurrent UTIs increases. And some women may even have three or more UTIs a year. Both women and men of all ages can develop a UTI; however, women are more prone to develop the infection because of their anatomy. The distance between the bladder and the urethral opening is relatively short in women, and this opening is in close proximity to the vagina and rectum. This makes it easy for bacteria to move from one place to another.

The most common UTIs affect the bladder and urethra:

• Infection of the bladder (cystitis). This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it.
• Infection of the urethra (urethritis). This type of UTI can occur when GI bacteria spread to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea and chlamydia, can cause urethritis.

If left untreated, bacteria can multiply and travel up the ureters - infecting the kidneys.

What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria such as E.coli enter via the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria can take hold and grow into a full-blown infection. Sexually transmitted infections, such as trichomoniasis and chlamydia, can also cause UTIs.

Stress, a weak immune system, poor diet and damage to the urethra in childbirth or surgery can increase your predisposition toward getting UTIs. And UTIs often occur after having sex with a new partner (called "honeymoon cystitis") or after having sex for the first time in a while.

What are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:

1. Painful, burning sensation when urinating
2. A strong, persistent urge to urinate
3. Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
4. Urine that appears cloudy
5. Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine
6. Strong-smelling urine
7. Pelvic pain, in women
8. Rectal pain, in men
9. Back pain, fever, or chills (indicating a kidney infection)
10. UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.

What Should I do if I Think I Have a Urinary Tract Infection?

Contact your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of a UTI. Only an antibiotic can cure a UTI.

But in the meantime, to stop your excruciating pain, burning, and urgency, use URICALM Max. URICALM Max has the highest dose available OTC of clinically proven phenazopyridine hydrochloride to promptly stop pain right at the site of the infection.

Can I Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection?

There are several things you can do to help keep your urinary tract healthy and to reduce the chances of developing a urinary tract infection.

Drinking plenty of water every day is the most important factor in maintaining overall urinary tract health. Adequate hydration is extremely important for preventing UTIs.

Also, you can take a daily supplement designed to help support urinary tract health so that your natural defenses are kept in top shape. Dozens of studies have supported the use of both Cranberries and D-Mannose supplements to help reduce your risk of UTIs*.

Cranberries for Urinary Tract Health:

Many women hear from their friends, family, or online that cranberries help prevent UTIs. Researchers believe that cranberries contain substances that prevent infection-causing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. There are a couple of different theories about how exactly cranberries do this. Some studies show that certain antioxidants in cranberries change the bacteria so that they can't stick to the urinary tract. Another idea is that cranberries create a Teflon-like slippery coating on the urinary tract walls that prevents E. coli from getting a good grip*.

Some women do not like the tartness and acidity of cranberry juice - or the added sugar and calories in their daily intake. For these women, a daily cranberry supplement such as chewable URICALM Cranberry with D-Mannose makes the most sense.

D-Mannose for Urinary Tract Health:

D-Mannose is a simple sugar that, when taken daily, can help keep your urinary tract healthy*.

E.coli is the cause of 75-90% of UTIs. The cell walls of each E. coli are covered with tiny fingerlike projections called fimbria allowing them to "stick" to the inner walls of your bladder and even work their way upward to your ureters and kidneys.

D-mannose helps prevent the adherence of E.coli to the walls of the urinary tract and helps the body eliminate the bacteria - helping a woman's natural defenses to maintain a healthy urinary tract*.

D-mannose "sticks" to the E. coli even better than the E. coli "stick" to human cells. When we take a large quantity of D-mannose, almost all of it spills into the urine through our kidneys, literally "coating" any E.coli present so they can no longer "stick" to the inside walls of the bladder and urinary tract. The E. coli are literally rinsed away with normal urination.

Top Tips To Help Keep Your Urinary Tract Healthy:

• Drink water, even when you aren't thirsty
• Take a daily supplement designed to help support your urinary tract health, such as URICALM Cranberry with D-Mannose*
• Urinate when you feel the need - don't try to hold it in
• Cleanse your vaginal area prior to sex
• Urinate immediately after sex
• Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering your urethra
• Avoid using potentially irritating feminine hygiene products, such as sprays, powders, and douches, which may irritate your urethra
• Use only white unscented toilet paper to avoid potential dye reactions
• Change out of wet bathing suits as soon as you are able