That moment of panic when you sense a UTI coming on… Are you familiar with it?
You are certainly not alone! Urinary tract infections affect over 150 million people per year, making them one of the most common infections around the world. Even with antibiotic treatments, about a 25% of people develop another UTI within 6 months(1). While antibiotics may be your best option in the short-term, they are not a long-term solution for UTIs that keep coming back.
Here’s why:
Antibiotics kill the “bad” bacteria that created the infection, but they also kill off the “good” bacteria that are responsible for preventing pathogenic bacteria from growing the first place. By taking antibiotics over and over again, an unfortunate situation is created in the gut microbiome, and the risk for reoccurring UTIs increases.
Certain antibiotics used to treat UTIs can be associated with side affects, such as damage to tendons, joints, nerves, and the central nervous system(2). It’s very important to understand the medicine that’s prescribed to you and to consider the risks for your body.
We’re seeing a growing problem of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, meaning more people are experiencing infections that aren’t treatable with antibiotics.
Bladder irritation is not always a UTI! Treating an irritated bladder (that’s not a UTI) with antibiotics may not be the best route—in fact, diet and nutrition alone may be a more sustainable and effective solution.
It’s time that we look holistically at the cause of UTIs and identify a long-term solution that gets to the source of what causes these painful infections.
A Long-Term Solution for Ending Recurring UTIs?
In my article Two Misconceptions About Bladder Pain and UTIs, I explain more about the importance of nurturing a healthy gut microbiome to prevent urinary tract infections, as well as figuring out if it’s really a UTI.
There is no one-size fits all diet that can be prescribed, but here are three important aspects I look at with my clients.
Identify Food Allergies and Sensitivities: Food allergies and sensitivities are increasing at an alarming rate, and it’s no surprise with the rise of packaged, processed, and chemically-treated foods. Even following the “healthiest” diet may be problematic for your biochemically unique body, as could cause bladder irritation. When there is a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut and your body is properly digesting food, you are actually better protected against food allergies and sensitivities. This supports a strong immune system and you’ll experience less urinary tract issues.
Support Breakdown and Absorption: Digestion doesn’t just happen automatically. Without proper breakdown and absorption, the body doesn’t receive vital nutrients it needs to perform its numerous functions. Some people have trouble breaking down carbohydrates; for others its protein or vegetables. When identifying opportunities to better breakdown and absorb nutrients, as well as foods that are trigger bladder irritation—we can support your body in obtaining energy from the food you eat, getting rid of toxins, fighting viruses and bacteria, and preventing infections from developing in the urinary tract.
See the Full Picture: Aside from UTIs and bladder irritation, an unhealthy gut microbiome can show up through a variety of symptoms, including digestive discomfort, fatigue, food cravings, sleep issues, skin irritation, seasonal allergies, headaches and mood swings. In seeing the full picture of what’s happening in your body, I can better guide you in creating an effective nutrition and detox plan that will support your overall health and put less stress on your body.
Sometimes an antibiotic is your only option for clearing up an infection. However if you’ve experienced multiple UTIs or if you suspect your “UTI” is merely bladder irritation, choosing to focus on the health of your gut microbiome and identifying trigger foods can get to the source of the issue. You may even be surprised with other unexpected benefits.
