Urinary

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common types of bacterial infections worldwide. It’s estimated that over 150 million people contract UTIs each year (1Trusted Source).

E. coli is the most common type of bacteria to cause UTIs, although occasionally other types of infectious bacteria may be implicated.

Anyone can develop a UTI, but women are 30 times more likely to be affected than men. Approximately 40% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives (2Trusted Source).

A UTI can affect any part of the urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys, but it usually starts in organs of the lower urinary tract, bladder, and urethra (2Trusted Source).

Common symptoms associated with UTIs include (3Trusted Source):

  • a burning sensation when you urinate
  • frequent and intense urges to urinate
  • cloudy, dark, or bloody urine
  • fever or fatigue
  • pain in your pelvis, lower abdomen, or back

UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, but infection recurrence is very common.

What’s more, the overuse of antibiotics can have long-term negative consequences, such as damage to the normal, healthy bacteria in your urinary tract, and possibly contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (1Trusted Source).

If you suspect that you have a UTI, it’s important to consult your healthcare provider as soon as possible. What may start as a mild infection can quickly become serious and potentially fatal if left untreated for too long.

That said, some research suggests that up to 42% of mild and uncomplicated UTIs can be resolved without the use of antibiotics (4Trusted Source).

If you’re one of the many people in the world who experiences recurrent UTIs, you may be seeking natural and alternative solutions to avoid excessive exposure to antibiotic drugs.