Urinary tract infections: natural remedies

Urinary tract infection is a general term used to describe the presence of an infection in one or more organs of the urinary tract (urethra, bladder, kidney or prostate).

It is 50 times more common in women than in men for anatomical reasons - the urinary meatus is close to the anus and the urethra is short - and can easily be caused by poor hygiene or a period of constipation.

After the menopause, the risk increases further due to the dryness of the mucous membranes, itself caused by a drop in oestrogen levels.

Rarer in men, who have a urinary meatus that is further from the anus, it is a cause for greater concern and should preferably give rise to a medical consultation within 24 hours. As in women, the risk is greater after the age of 50, because the prostate may swell and interfere with the flow of urine.

Finally, diabetics, who are more susceptible to this condition, need to be monitored.

If left untreated, urinary tract infection can affect the kidney, leading to pyelonephritis, also known as upper urinary tract infection, which causes a fever of over 38°C.

Urinary tract infections are most often caused by bacteria of digestive origin.

In 80-90% of cases, acute or chronic urinary tract infections are even due to the presence of Escherichia Coli, a bacterium that is harmless in the intestine and colonises the urinary tract as it travels up the urethra.

This is the most common cause, but there are others, hence the urine cytobacteriological examination (UBE) often prescribed by doctors when faced with the clinical picture described above.

Symptoms may persist for 2 to 3 days after antibiotic treatment and then disappear.

The two terms are often used interchangeably to refer to the same problem.

In fact, cystitis refers to a lower urinary tract infection, i.e. of the urethra and bladder, as opposed to prostatitis (prostate infection) and pyelonephritis (kidney infection).

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an abnormal, frequent and repeated urge to urinate.

It may be accompanied by burning on urination, cloudy, foul-smelling urine, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and urine leakage, day or night.

You are strongly advised to consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if you are pregnant or have a fever.

Urinary tract infections are most often caused by bacteria of digestive origin.

In 80-90% of cases, acute or chronic urinary tract infections are even due to the presence of Escherichia Coli, a bacterium that is harmless in the intestine and colonises the urinary tract as it travels up the urethra.

This is the most common cause, but there are others, hence the urine cytobacteriological examination (UBE) often prescribed by doctors when faced with the clinical picture described above.

A few tips to prevent urinary tract infections

The number 1 tip for preventing cystitis is to make sure you're sufficiently hydrated. In hot weather or when drinking alcohol, for example, both of which can lead to dehydration, be sure to increase the amount of water you drink as a preventive measure.

We can also add to the list of precautions maintaining a healthy digestive system, with all that this implies in terms of hydration, essential fatty acids and fibre, as well as movement and physical exercise.

Wearing cotton rather than synthetic underwear and avoiding trousers that are too tight is another effective preventive measure.

Finally, taking care to empty the bladder immediately after intercourse helps to prevent so-called post-coital cystitis, a urinary infection caused by germs rising up from the perineum after sex.

Lou graduated from HEC in 2012. She gained ten years of experience in marketing for cosmetics and perfumes before becoming an independent consultant in this field. She recently completed a three-year naturopathy program at the European College of Holistic Naturopathy (CENATHO, Paris) with the goal of supporting the physical and mental health of the people she works with through a holistic approach to lifestyle.