Mumsnet users share their tips for treating UTIs with Ocean Spray

[EllieMumsnet]

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If you have experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) then you’ll know how uncomfortable and painful they can be. There can be quite a few different causes of UTIs, as well as ways to treat and/or prevent them, which is why Ocean Spray would love you to share your methods for treating or preventing them.

Here’s what Ocean Spray have to say: “One in every two women will suffer from a UTI at some point in their lifetime. Many GPs and other health professionals advise women (as well as men) to drink cranberry juice for UTI resistance. Independent research has found drinking a glass of cranberry juice every day could help reduce the likelihood of a UTI by 40 percent, potentially cutting down on antibiotics use in the process. Which is good news particularly when experts claim antibiotic resistance is on track to kill more people than cancer.

Ocean Spray’s research into the health benefits of cranberries and cranberry juice is ongoing. And it’s always good to hear from people about their own experiences of drinking cranberry juice for health – and of course taste – reasons.”

Do you use a hot water bottle to comfort the stomach or back pain you may get? Perhaps you try to always wear breathable clothing around your lady parts to try prevent a UTI from occuring? Maybe you swear by the home remedy of drinking lots of cranberry juice? Or have you found the perfect no-perfume body wash that helps keep everything balanced?

Whatever your tips and methods are, share them on the thread below to be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

drink drink and more drink, I tried cranberry juice and cranberry sweets as well

Lots of water, cranberry juice and an over the counter remedy (better not name it)

Water, water, water. The first niggle and I drink plenty. I don't use any kind of soaps down there as that irritates me and as I am very sporty I always make sure i wear a liner. Also ensure that you don't wipe back to front.

Drink plenty of water (slightly warm is best), wash using only plain water, don't put any soap in the bath if you bath instead of showering, pure cotton underwear, go to the loo as soon as you feel the need and make sure you completely empty your bladder, stay warm and go to the doctor if it doesn't improve after a few days.

Try These Natural Supplements:
D-Mannose: This is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries and has been shown to be effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence.
Bearberry leaf: Also known as uva-ursi. One study showed that a combination of bearberry leaf, dandelion root and dandelion leaf decreased UTI recurrence.
Cranberry extract: Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
Garlic extract: Garlic has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.

I find only wearing cotton underwear helps.
Those sachets from the chemist can help in the early stages

I drink lots of water daily as well as cranberry juice and also daily cranberry capsules - seems to work for me

Loads of water, cranberry juice if it starts to feel uncomfortable down there...

Make sure your GP is aware of it, even if you just mention it when you are in for something else - they will then be aware that you need antibiotics when it does flare up again.

I suffer form UTIs My advice from my doctor is always changing recent advice was not crambery juice But natural yougurt lots of water no antibotics as they kills the good bacteria and you end up with thrush

I found the only solution to be straight to my doctor for a course of antibiotics. as for prevention I did not find cranberry juice worked for me. I drank it for a year daily and found no change. Luckily I no longer seem to be afflicted with these infections.

Soda water and cranberry juice

I used to suffer extremely from UTIs and ended up in hospital for 5+ days with a kidney infection and very, very ill. My advice is if it's not getting any better at home, go to the doctors. I used to drink plenty of water, try and eat healthy, empty my bladder fully and use a hot water bottle.

drinking lots and lots of water. I also like cranberry juice.

My urologist said normal sugary cranberry juice won't prevent UT's as there's not enough cranberry and it's sugary (which isn't good for UTI's). Also, once you have a UTI cranberry won't help; it's for prevention.

I have slightly crap kidneys (three surgeries and numerous UTI's) and I drink loads of water and get antibiotics ASAP. I also bought my own dip sticks off amazon so I can self test if not sure if I'd be wasting the gp's time.

Start treatment as soon as you get the tell tale signs don't wait

drink plenty of water and cranberry juice.

eat probiotic yogurt and take vit C tablets!

Drinking lots of fluid

Cranberry juice

Cranberry juice and triple strength cranberry tablets! I take one a day and haven't had a flare up in a year! Water, cotton pants and less caffeine also help.

I looked at the ocean spray cranberry juice and it had a really low actual cranberry content, something like 30% ( prepared to be corrected) and that was made from concentrate. It doesn't work for me, I find bicarb in water works better, and trimethoprim if it gets too bad.

Bicarbonate of soda diluted in a glass of water is the only thing that's ever worked for me. 2 or 3 glasses and I've been absolutely fine. Tastes rancid though!

Flush them through at the first sign - BUT in all truthfulness prevention is better than cure! Drinking lots of water, hygiene and other sensible precautions are better than having to cope with the after-sting!

I go see my GP, in past years I would have TREATED it with cranberry juice, foods with antibacterial properties and taken apple cider vinegar rather than take antibiotics. Me (and my Daughter!) still drink a glass everyday, plus I have apple cider vinegar each day to PREVENT a UTI (I haven't had one for a couple of years now - so I must be doing something right!) However, I ALWAYS tell people to go to the Doctors if they suspect any type of infection...

A few years ago I suffered a infection (nothing UTI related, but an INFECTION non the less...!) I got a teeny tiny burn from my straighteners, it was quite sore and did look quite angry, stupidly I just put a TCP on and a dressing, and ate well, a few days later my Mum dragged me to the hospital after finding me in bed barely able to move, it was getting huge, oozing and I was in a bad state - felt like terrible flu - they took swabs turned out I had contracted both a Staph infection and a flesh eating bug (sorry if that's TMI!) caused by Strep A... I was rushed back to Hospital as soon as the results were in, things were not looking good I was still terrible, all hooked up to IV's, I hadn't really realised how bad things were - they had talked about a skin graft before the swabs came back - it was beyond that, I joked with the Doctor 'it's not like I'm going to die?!' she just looked at me and said 'we're doing everything we can, and a lot of people do survive...' I just sat there in shock, and began to think about what I wanted for my funeral tears rolling down my face... I was LUCKY REALLY LUCKY, thanks to the NHS. Whilst I did lose half a breast, and had to attend for the next couple of years, it was a small price to pay, I walked out with my life, BUT it could have been so different.

I'm sorry for the SUPER LONG post and the fact it's only slightly related to the subject BUT I hope if anyone is ever thinking they can treat a suspected infection (any infection!) at home I hope you remember this post Prevention is better than cure though!

Honestly, I try to drink a glass of cranberry juice at least every other day.

I have found it really helps with fluid retention and I can tell when I've not been drinking it due to excess fluid.

I also used to get water infections a couple of times a year and have had maybe 1 or 2 in the 6+ years I've been regularly drinking cranberry juice