[Samual]

I get many bladder infections, sometimes every month, due to damage to the lining of my bladder. I am against using antibiotics as using them causes more problems in the long run. Then there are the myths that cranberry juice can prevent infection.
Do any of you have any methods of either preventing an infection or reducing symptoms until your body fights off an infection? Any suggestions would be brilliant.
Thankyou

[twinzplus3]

Cranberry juice does not prevent infection. . .it does help alleviate the symptoms though of a UTI. It doesn't do anything for a bladder infection. Do you drink enough water? That to me is the most crucial part of preventing infections.

[Samual]

Since I have been getting them I have been drinking alot, I have started drinking decaff as well when I do have coffee or tea and I have cut out all alcohol. I limit my coffee and tea as well and replace it with more water. I take a two litre bottle of water to work and it is all gone by the end of my working day. Then I have always had a pint of water with a meal and then drinks as I am thirsty throughout the rest of the day.

[deedee1231]

Sodas are also very bad for your bladder and urinary tract. If you are drinking any soda you should cut that out of your diet as well.

[Samual]

I don't consume anything with additives, so I have never had pop.

[daniandbebe08]

I hope someone finds somthing as I am too blessed with Re-Occuring UTIs Ive done EVERYTHING to stop it from comming back, but nothing seems to work. I tried AZO, and cranberry Tablets and they wold make it take longer to take effect but I would still get them. I havent been alowed to have baths for over 3 years now, only showers, and Ive had Scopes and many other tests done but they dont find ANYTHING wrong with my bladder. UGH

[deedee1231]

Dani- one of my girls has hypercalciuria. It is a condition that causes her to have exessive sodium in her urine and results in UTIs. The treatment we have had to use is a simple low sodium diet. It is a pain in the rear because nearly everything you can buy ready made is loaded down with sodium, but once it was diagnosed and we started following a low-sodium diet she hasn't had any more trouble. That has been about 3 years ago. Maybe it would be worth a try?

[Samual]

I don't think I have alot of salt in my diet, everything we have is homemade and we don't add salt to any sauces we make, the saltiest thing we have is bacon really.
I know how you feel dani it's annoying as well as uncomfortable, especially when you think it has gone then a week later you have symptoms again.

[songbirdxx]

Repeated bladder infections in men can be the result of an enlarged prostate causing back flow and infection due to stagnation.This is usually associated with older men,however worth mentioning to your doctor if you haven't had a check for this!Treatment is simple medication if it is caught in time.This in turn could help your repeated infections, if it is partly due to this. I know this having been a registered nurse and having dealt with men whos infections were due to this.Enlarged prostate can happen at any age though!

[Samual]

I get my prostate checked quite often as three men have suffered prostate cancer in my family, not exaclty nice but worth it in the long run. I also take protective measures on the sex front. As you were a nurse you may know something about D-Mannose, if you do, is it worth a go?