Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the leading health problems faced by women worldwide. It is estimated that about 40% of women (and 12% of men) will suffer at least one UTI in their lifetime and 20 to 30 percent of those who have had one will suffer recurrent bouts. Just as some people are more prone to colds than others, some people are more prone to UTIs. According to the National Institute of Health UTIs cause more than 8 million visits to health care providers each year.  Clearly, this is a real problem.

What causes a urinary tract infection?

Normal urine has no bacteria in it, and the one-way flow helps prevent infections. However, large numbers of bacteria live in the rectal area and on the skin. Bacteria may get into the urine from the urethra and travel into the bladder causing a urinary tract infection. The bacteria may even travel up to the kidney. Kidney infection is much less common and much more serious than bladder infection.  But no matter how far they go, bacteria in the urinary tract can cause problems.

What happens when you have a urinary tract infection?

When you have an infection the lining of the urethra and bladder become red and irritated (much like what happens to your sore throat when you get a cold).  This irritation can cause pain in the belly area and also in the pelvic area.  A UTI can also lead to a kidney infection which causes back pain and fever and can become a serious illness which needs to be treated at once in order to prevent a spread to the bloodstream, which can become life threatening.  (To learn more refer to the Urology Care Foundation at www.urologyhealth.org).

How is a urinary tract infection treated?

Treatment for UTIs is generally with antibiotics, of which there are several choices and your medical professional will determine which type to use and the length of the treatment necessary (generally three to five days).

Some home remedies may or may not be helpful, but they include drinking plenty of water and avoiding spicy foods, coffee and alcohol, all of which can irritate the bladder.  There is also some indication that drinking cranberry juice may be helpful.  Use of a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen may also ease the discomfort.

What are the pros and cons of antibiotic treatment of UTI?

The spiraling costs of antibiotic therapy, the appearance of multi-resistant bacteria and, more importantly for patients and clinicians, unsatisfactory therapeutic options in recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI) calls for alternative and advanced medical solutions. So far, no effective means to successfully prevent painful and disabling RUTI has been found. Even though long-term oral antibiotic treatment has been used with some success as a therapeutic option, this is no longer guaranteed due to the development of bacterial resistance.  And, while long-term oral antibiotic treatment may help reduce the number of UTIs, it may also increase the risk of adverse effects, including digestive problems, rashes and vaginal fungal infections.

Are there healthy alternatives to prevent or treat UTIs?

A healthy alternative to preventing or treating urinary tract infections would avoid the selective development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains while restoring a balanced microbial flora and enhancing the defense mechanism of the human body.

The use of live microorganisms (probiotics) which are naturally hosted by the human body to prevent and treat recurrent complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is one promising alternative. Human normal bacterial flora is increasingly recognized as an important defense to infection. Since the advent of antibiotic treatment some 50 years ago, a clear relationship between antibiotic use and reduction in bad bacteria has become established.  But with the use of antibiotics the beneficial bacterial flora hosted by the human body is destroyed and bad bacteria are selectively enabled to overgrow on internal and external surfaces.

Since the benign bacterial flora is crucial for body function and overgrowth with harmful microorganisms leads to illness, the concept of supporting the human body’s normal flora with live microorganisms (probiotics) which confer a beneficial health effect is an important medical strategy. The evidence suggests that replenishing naturally occurring bacteria with probiotic products could help prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections by keeping “bad” bacteria from growing in the vagina.  These probiotic products contain colonies of “good” bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance.

Where can probiotics be found?

Probiotics are available in supplements and in fermented foods such as plain Greek yogurt, cheese, and a drink called kefir, or you can use probiotics capsules or powders. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 (previously called L. fermentum RC-14) seemed to be the most effective among the studied lactobacilli for the prevention of UTIs.

You can find Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 at Amazon.

SOURCE:  Borchert D, Sheridan L, Papatsoris A, et al. Prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection with probiotics: Review and research perspective. Indian Journal of Urology : IJU : Journal of the Urological Society of India. 2008;24(2):139-144.


 

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GAPS Diet

Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS)

We live in a world of unfolding epidemics: Autism, ADHD, asthma, allergies, anxiety, depression, dyspraxia, epilepsy, diabetes, celiac.  These conditions overlap with each other and are related by similar underlying causes.

– Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride

Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia

This book reveals the true connection between nutrition and brain function. Written by a neurologist and practicing nutritionist it is a no holds barred investigation into the real facts behind why todays generation of children have the highest incidence of learning disabilities and behavioral disorders ever. Reviewers have praised it for its wealth of information and advice. Presented in a style that will benefit both parents and practitioners, this book is definitely one to read and keep for reference.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a parent of a child diagnosed with learning disabilities, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride is aware of the difficulties facing other parents like her, and she has devoted much of her time to helping these families.

Dr. Campbell-McBride realized that nutrition played a critical role in helping children and adults to overcome their disabilities, and has pioneered the use of probiotics in this field.

She believes that the link between learning disabilities, the food and drink that we take, and the condition of our digestive system is absolute, and the results of her work have supported her position on this subject.

In her clinic, parents discuss all aspects of their child’s condition, confident in the knowledge that they are not only talking to a professional but to a parent who has lived their experience.

Her deep understanding of the challenges they face, puts her advice in a class of its own.


 

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The Gut Microbiome: A New Frontier in Autism Research

The human gut harbors a complex community of microbes that profoundly influence many aspects of growth and development, including development of the nervous system. Advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing methods have led to rapidly expanding knowledge about this gut microbiome.

In this research study, we review fundamental emerging data on the human gut microbiome, with a focus on potential interactions between the microbiome and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and consider research on atypical patterns of feeding and nutrition in ASD and how they might interact with the microbiome.

Although research is needed to elucidate the relationship between feeding problems, dietary patterns and gut dysbiosis in ASD, it seems plausible that interventions aimed at restoring the microbial balance in the gut may improve behaviors (e.g., irritability, anxiety, and social withdrawal) documented to occur more frequently among a subgroup of individuals with ASD and GI symptoms. Indeed, probiotics (i.e., microorganisms ingested through food or supplement consisting primarily of lactic acid-producing bacteria, such as lactobacilli, lactococci, bifidobacteria) have been shown to improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence, and suggested as a possible intervention to improve behavioral issues associated with GI discomfort in ASD. It may also help explain anecdotal reports of improved functioning following dietary changes among certain children with ASD, which have helped propagate interest regarding the use of dietary manipulation (e.g., gluten and/or casein free, GFCF diet) in this population. …

The Gut Microbiome: A New Frontier in Autism Research

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NIH Launches Human Microbiome Project

NIH Roadmap Effort to Use Genomic Technologies To Explore Role of Microbes in Human Health and Disease.

The human body contains trillions of microorganisms, living together with human cells, usually in harmony. Because of their small size, however, microorganisms make up only about one to two percent of the body’s mass. Many microbes maintain our health, while others cause illness. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the role this astounding assortment of bacteria, fungi and other microbes play in human health and disease. To better understand these interactions, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) today announced the official launch of the Human Microbiome Project. The human microbiome is the collective genomes of all microorganisms present in or on the human body.

“The human microbiome is largely unexplored,” said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. “It is essential that we understand how microorganisms interact with the human body to affect health and disease. This project has the potential to transform the ways we understand human health and prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions.”

Part of the NIH’s Roadmap for Medical Research, the Human Microbiome Project will award a total of $115 million to researchers over the next five years. Initially, researchers will sequence 600 microbial genomes, completing a collection that will total some 1,000 microbial genomes and providing a resource for investigators interested in exploring the human microbiome. Other microbial genomes are being contributed to the collection by individual NIH institutes and internationally funded projects. A meeting between international partners was recently convened to discuss forming an international consortium.

Researchers will then use new, comprehensive laboratory technologies to characterize the microbial communities present in samples taken from healthy human volunteers, even for microbes that cannot be grown in the laboratory. The samples will be collected from five body regions known to be inhabited by microbial communities: the digestive tract, the mouth, the skin, the nose, and the female urogenital tract. Demonstration projects will subsequently be funded to sample the microbiomes from volunteers with specific diseases. This will allow researchers to correlate the relationship between changes in a microbiome present at a particular body site to a specific illness.

“We now understand that there are more microbial cells than human cells in the human body. The Human Microbiome Project offers an opportunity to transform our understanding of the relationships between microbes and humans in health and disease,” said Dr. Alan Krensky, the director of the Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI), which oversees the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.

While the term “microbiome” may be relatively new in biomedical research, most people are familiar with some of the effects — both good and bad — that microbes can have on our health. Consider the example of the biggest reservoir of microbes in humans: the digestive tract. The human gut harbors many beneficial microorganisms, including certain bacteria called probiotics. There is evidence these probiotics, found in dietary supplements, yogurt and other dairy products as well as various soy products, can stimulate the immune system and improve digestive functions. In contrast, previous research suggests that variations in the composition of microbial communities may contribute to chronic health conditions, including diabetes, asthma, obesity and digestive disorders. […]

Click here to view original web page at www.nih.gov

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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Kate

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the leading health problems faced by women worldwide. It is estimated that about 40% of women (and 12% of men) will suffer at least one UTI in their lifetime and 20 to 30 percent of those who have had one will suffer recurrent bouts. Just as some people are more prone to colds than others, some people are more prone to UTIs. According to the National Institute of Health UTIs cause more than 8 million visits to health care providers each year.  Clearly, this is a real problem.

What causes a urinary tract infection? 

Normal urine has no bacteria in it, and the one-way flow helps prevent infections. However, large numbers of bacteria live in the rectal area and on the skin. Bacteria may get into the urine from the urethra and travel into the bladder causing a urinary tract infection. The bacteria may even travel up to the kidney. Kidney infection is much less common and much more serious than bladder infection.  But no matter how far they go, bacteria in the urinary tract can cause problems. 

What happens when you have a urinary tract infection?

When you have an infection the lining of the urethra and bladder become red and irritated (much like what happens to your sore throat when you get a cold).  This irritation can cause pain in the belly area and also in the pelvic area.  A UTI can also lead to a kidney infection which causes back pain and fever and can become a serious illness which needs to be treated at once in order to prevent a spread to the bloodstream, which can become life threatening.  (To learn more refer to the Urology Care Foundation at www.urologyhealth.org).

How is a urinary tract infection treated?

Treatment for UTIs is generally with antibiotics, of which there are several choices and your medical professional will determine which type to use and the length of the treatment necessary (generally three to five days). 

Some home remedies may or may not be helpful, but they include drinking plenty of water and avoiding spicy foods, coffee and alcohol, all of which can irritate the bladder.  There is also some indication that drinking cranberry juice may be helpful.  Use of a heating pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen may also ease the discomfort.

What are the pros and cons of antibiotic treatment of UTI?

The spiraling costs of antibiotic therapy, the appearance of multi-resistant bacteria and, more importantly for patients and clinicians, unsatisfactory therapeutic options in recurrent urinary tract infection (RUTI) calls for alternative and advanced medical solutions. So far, no effective means to successfully prevent painful and disabling RUTI has been found. Even though long-term oral antibiotic treatment has been used with some success as a therapeutic option, this is no longer guaranteed due to the development of bacterial resistance.  And, while long-term oral antibiotic treatment may help reduce the number of UTIs, it may also increase the risk of adverse effects, including digestive problems, rashes and vaginal fungal infections.

Are there healthy alternatives to prevent or treat UTIs?

A healthy alternative to preventing or treating urinary tract infections would avoid the selective development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains while restoring a balanced microbial flora and enhancing the defense mechanism of the human body. 

The use of live microorganisms (probiotics) which are naturally hosted by the human body to prevent and treat recurrent complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is one promising alternative. Human normal bacterial flora is increasingly recognized as an important defense to infection. Since the advent of antibiotic treatment some 50 years ago, a clear relationship between antibiotic use and reduction in bad bacteria has become established.  But with the use of antibiotics the beneficial bacterial flora hosted by the human body is destroyed and bad bacteria are selectively enabled to overgrow on internal and external surfaces.

Since the benign bacterial flora is crucial for body function and overgrowth with harmful microorganisms leads to illness, the concept of supporting the human body’s normal flora with live microorganisms (probiotics) which confer a beneficial health effect is an important medical strategy. The evidence suggests that replenishing naturally occurring bacteria with probiotic products could help prevent the recurrence of urinary tract infections by keeping “bad” bacteria from growing in the vagina.  These probiotic products contain colonies of “good” bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance.  

Where can probiotics be found?

Probiotics are available in supplements and in fermented foods such as plain Greek yogurt, cheese, and a drink called kefir, or you can use probiotics capsules or powders. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 (previously called L. fermentum RC-14) seemed to be the most effective among the studied lactobacilli for the prevention of UTIs.

You can find Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 at Amazon.

SOURCE:  Borchert D, Sheridan L, Papatsoris A, et al. Prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection with probiotics: Review and research perspective. Indian Journal of Urology : IJU : Journal of the Urological Society of India. 2008;24(2):139-144.


 

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