What
is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
A UTI is typically characterized by
the sudden onset of frequent, painful,
and
urgent urination. Lower abdominal pain
or lower back pain may also be present.
The urine is often foul smelling and cloudy.
Q: How prevalent are Urinary Tract
Infections (UTIs)?
A: Eighty per cent of all women will
experience a UTI in their lifetime;
approximately 20% of women will have
a UTI each year. One in seven visits
to the doctor are urinary related,
totaling 9.6 million visits annually.
What causes UTI?
Many kinds of bacteria normally grow
in the vagina and bowel. However, urine
is normally bacteria free (sterile).
So when bacteria enter the bladder
from the normal vaginal and bowel flora,
a bladder infection can develop.
Q: What are some of the risk factors
for developing a UTI?
A: Women are at increased risk of
developing a UTI for several reasons:
1) Anatomy - close proximity between
the urethra and the rectal and vaginal
area allows bacteria easier access
into the bladder. 2) Sexual Activity – sexually
active females are at higher risk for
developing UTIs due to the close proximity
of the vagina to the urethra. It is
important to know that bacteria causing
bladder infections are not passed between
partners. 3) Pregnancy - a growing
baby can put pressure on the bladder
so that it cannot empty completely.
When the urine is left to stagnate
the risk of UTI increases. 4) Menopause
- thinning of the uro-vaginal area
makes it more likely for bacteria to
break through and cause infection.
Q: Do UTIs occur more frequently during
certain months of the year?
A: UTIs are more common in hotter
months because we tend to be outdoors
and more active. Perspiration and fluid
loss lead to more concentrated urine,
which creates the perfect environment
for bacteria to thrive and develop
a UTI.
How is a UTI
diagnosed?
In a woman with typical symptoms, a
UTI is diagnosed by examination of
a mid-stream urine sample (urinalysis
and urine culture).
How is
a UTI traditionally treated?
Some cases of UTI may resolve without
medication. Usually a short course
of antibiotics is prescribed by your
doctor.
Q: How do Cranberries prevent UTIs?
A: Research indicates that cranberries
contain specific compounds, “condensed
tannins,” and “proanthocyanidins,” which
prevent the adherence of E. Coli bacteria
(the primary cause of urinary tract
infections) to the walls of the urinary
tract. Thus, the bacteria (such as
E. Coli) simply wash away in the normal
cleansing process of the urinary tract.
Q: Cranberry juice vs. cranberry supplement – what’s
the difference?
A: Although several clinical studies
have found cranberry juice to be beneficial
in preventing UTIs, the amount which
must be consumed to be effective is
considerable.
Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement is
more potent than cranberry juice because
it contains all the vital parts of
the cranberry – fruit, seeds,
skin and juice. A study published in
the Canadian Journal of Urology, 2002,
showed that Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement provided
more effective and cost-effective treatment
of UTI’s when compared to cranberry
juice.1 In addition, most juices contain
about 27 to 33 per cent cranberry juice,
with the remainder consisting of sugar
and water. Drinking cranberry juice
for bladder health can be expensive
and increase one’s calorie count.
Cran-Max® does not contain any
preservatives, carriers, solvents,
sugars, water,
flavorings or added color. It takes
34 lbs of cranberries to produce one
pound of Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement.
Q: How
does Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement work?
A: Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement features
a patented technology, called Bio-Shield,
which protects the
bioactive components of the cranberry
from being degraded by digestive fluids
in the stomach, enabling it to provide
a sustained release of its powerful
cran factor to sites of action in the
urinary tract.
Q: Have
there been any clinical studies performed
with Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement ?
A: Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement is
the first cranberry supplement supported
by scientific studies.
Clinical studies performed in Prague,
Czech Republic, and Canada show that
Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement reduces the occurrence
of urinary tract infections, and is
more
cost-effective than cranberry juice.1,
2, 3 In the Canadian study, subjects
who took Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement tablets had
44% less incidences of urinary tract
infections
than those on placebo.1
Q: What is the role of blueberries
in urinary health?
A: Blueberries provide a very potent
source of antioxidant flavonoids called
anthocyanins, which are also present
in cranberries. These anthocyanins
work to combat free radical damage,
improve the strength of our capillaries
and ward off urinary tract infections.
Q: What
is the recommended dosage of Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement to
obtain ideal benefits?
A: One
500 mg. capsule of Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement per day is recommended for urinary
tract health.
Q: How
safe is Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement?
A: No
negative side effects have been reported
from use of cranberry or
Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement.
What else can
be done to prevent UTI?
In addition to Cran-Max® Cranberry Supplement, you should
drink plenty of fluids and void on
a regular basis and especially after
sex. Wipe yourself from front to
back after urination to avoid spreading
bacteria. Avoid the use of diaphragms
and spermicides and clean cotton
underwear is also recommended.
When
should you see your doctor?
You should see your doctor if you have
frequent UTI, bloody urine, fevers,
vomiting, flank pain, or UTI symptoms
that continue after treatment.
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