[LADIES] Is THIS Treatment Making Your UTI Worse?

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted February 27, 2022

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

Is there anything more ANNOYING than a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

They always seem to come up at the worst time… and the constant trips to the bathroom are exhausting.

Not to mention the horrible pain and discomfort!

UTIs are a huge problem for seniors, especially women.

But in some cases, your doctor’s orders could actually be doing more harm than good.

A new study shows that this mainstream treatment could make your UTI even worse.

When you go to the doctor to get help for a urinary tract infection, he probably runs a few quick tests before he hands you a prescription for an antibiotic.

You expect the antibiotic to make the infection go away… and many times it does.

But now, one study shows that it may not always be the answer.

It’s well known that gut bacteria can eventually enter the bladder, causing a urinary tract infection.

This generally happens when certain bacteria leave the anus and get transferred to the periurethral space (the space between the anus and the vagina).

Most often, improper wiping techniques or bacteria trapped in underwear are the culprit. Once bacteria move to the periurethral space, they can eventually enter the vagina and then the bladder.

That’s why antibiotics are often prescribed: it essentially “firebombs” your gut, killing off both good AND bad bacteria.

But this is only a short-term solution— and not a good one at that.

Clearing out ALL bacteria means that you no longer have good bacteria to defend against invaders… which, ironically, can lead to another UTI.

The second problem with antibiotics is that if you use them too often, you get superbugs that NO antibiotic can treat.

I’ve talked about antibiotic resistance before. It’s a looming problem that could be catastrophic if we don’t do something.

While it can be tempting to opt for the fairly quick relief of an antibiotic, ask your doctor if there are additional tests to make sure your symptoms truly are a UTI and not something else. Then, ask if there are other treatments.

And in the meantime, let me give you the first line of defense to help protect yourself from UTIs.

• Use toilet paper correctly. Women should wipe from front to back after voiding their bladder. This helps to ensure no cross contamination with bacteria.

• Urinate often. We all have to wait to urinate sometimes in our modern society, but urinating often, as soon as you feel the urge, is a great way to clear out the urethra and keep it clear of harmful bacteria.
• Stay hydrated. You want to drink enough water that your urine is clear, not yellow, most of the time.
• Take vitamin C. If you’re prone to UTIs, research has shown that vitamin C could help. I suggest between 500 to 1000mg a day.
• Invest in a good probiotic. A high quality probiotic can help restore the balance of bacteria in your gut. You can also simply eat more yogurt, kimchee, sauerkraut, kombucha, and other fermented foods.

P.S. Do you suffer from frequent urination as well? Click here to read about a crucial vitamin that can give you relief.

SOURCE:

Van Nieukoop, Cees. “Antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infection and its impact on the gut microbiota.” The Lancet. 10/28/21. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(21)00564-8/fulltext

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND