Urinary tract infections affect one in two women*. Particularly painful and bothersome, they have an unfortunate tendency to recur. What are the natural solutions to get rid of it and find better urinary comfort? Discover all our tips.
What is a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections are bacterial infections that can affect one or more parts of the urinary system: the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
They are most often manifested by pain and burning sensations during urination (emission of urine), a continuous desire to urinate with little urine evacuated each time, sometimes cloudy urine and/or or smelly, or light bleeding in the urine.
The most common urinary tract infection is cystitis . Not serious in most cases, it corresponds to an inflammation of the bladder.
Urinary tract infections are said to be “recurrent ” when their frequency is abnormally high, that is to say with at least four episodes per year .
Fortunately, natural solutions exist to relieve these inconveniences , limit recurrences and find better urinary comfort.
However, medical advice is essential in the event of pregnancy , fever or lower back pain, which may be a sign of a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). It is also recommended to consult a doctor if the symptoms persist beyond two days.
How many women are affected by urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections affect women more than men. Indeed, 40 to 50% of women have had at least one urinary tract infection during their lifetime. Among them, menopausal women are often more prone to urinary tract infections than others. In this case, we speak of cystalgia characterized by pain but without bacterial infection.
This is explained above all by anatomical reasons: in women, the genital tract and the anus (where the bacteria of the intestinal flora are present) are closer to the urethra, this small muscular tube which allows the urine to the bladder. The intestinal germs therefore reach the bladder more easily and its contamination occurs by simple proximity. The bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the pathogen most frequently responsible for this type of infection (80% of cases).
What recommendations should be followed to prevent urinary tract infection?
- Drinking plenty of water is the first reflex to adopt to avoid repeated urinary tract infections. Indeed, it quite simply allows you to go to the toilet more often and to avoid the stagnation of urine in the bladder, which can promote the colonization and multiplication of bacteria.
- In addition to the lack of hydration , other factors can promote the appearance of recurrent cystitis. For example: refraining from going to the toilet, wearing too tight or synthetic clothes or using intimate hygiene products likely to unbalance the vaginal flora.
- Wiping from back to front after a bowel movement also increases the risk of infections by pushing certain bacteria into the urinary meatus.
- Also remember to go to the bathroom after each sexual intercourse to evacuate bacteria that may have entered the urethra.
- Finally, constipation is known to be another contributing factor. This is related to the prolonged stagnation of feces in the rectum.
What are the natural solutions to fight against urinary tract infections?
Some plants are interesting to reduce the risk of recurrent urinary tract infection. This is the case of heather, a diuretic plant regularly recommended in case of cystitis. It draws its effectiveness from its flowers rich in ursolic acid. Heather also contains arbutoside with antiseptic action, as well as flavonoids which promote the elimination of urine .
Another major ally: D-mannose , a carbohydrate that has demonstrated its interest in the treatment and prevention of recurrent cystitis. Natural and of vegetable origin, it prevents the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) from adhering to the cells of the walls of the bladder and the urinary tract and helps to detach those already fixed in order to neutralize them in the bladder.
Where to find these beneficial active ingredients? In certain food supplements such as CYSTICALM from Laboratoire Lescuyer . Recently reformulated, this natural solution concentrates high quality active ingredients such as heather, D-mannose, vitamin C as well as zinc and copper, two minerals rigorously selected for their beneficial role on the immune system. In the form of a stick to be diluted in water (ideal for facilitating urination), CYSTICALM helps to restore a good quality of life and real urinary comfort.
