There are 3 conditions which people call UTIs. One is the actual
urinary tract infection, one is a bladder infection, and the other is
intersitial cystitis. Each has slightly different symptomology, and
as you would expect, a different cause. Pain is definitely a big
warning sign for possible infections.

The mistake many people make is to try and treat the pain or
infection on their own, thinking it will just "get better." It
won't. There is no over-the-counter cure for UTIs, although there
are many things you can do to lessen or relieve the symptoms. Just
because it doesn't hurt anymore doesn't mean it's gone away though.
An untreated infection can work its way even further into the body
and end up causing a kidney infection, and in extreme cases death
from toxic shock. If you're feeling pain in your lower back in
combination with other symptoms of a UTI, be very worried and go to
the doctor immediately, an urgent care clinic even if you can't see
your regular doctor the same or next day.

Cranberry is great. Clinical research shows that 30-35mg of the
condensed tannins (known as PACs) per day has a significant effect on
reducing recurrence of infections. The problem is that most
cranberry pills have no testing of their PAC content, so you have no
idea what amount you're getting. There's only one that does,
TheraCran. Cranberry juice also looses its PAC value the longer it
sits on the shelf, and it's loaded with sugar.

The reason that Cranberry can't be 100% effective is that the E.coli
bacteria responsible for 85% of UTIs has two different fimbriae that
attach to the bladder wall. This is NOT the same E.coli that causes
food poisoning. Cranberry blocks the P-fimbria from attaching, but
there are Type 1 fimbria which may still adhere. Obviously you're
increasing your chances of staying infection-free with regular
cranberry, but not 100%. You can improve your chances of staying UTI-
free even more by following specific hygiene guidelines.

The big fake out there is d-Mannose. While it's true that d-Mannose
blocks the E.coli's Type 1 fimbria from adhering, there's no way for
it to get into the urine, except to inject it into the bladder. As a
sugar, it gets metabolized and it will never get into the urine,
unless you're a diabetic. So, unless you're squirting d-Mannose up
into your bladder, you can assign ZERO benefits to this treatment
option.

What does that leave? Pretty much antibiotics, so long as you
haven't become resistant. And then you follow up with all the good
prevention steps.

Children doing toilet training often get UTIs, that's mostly a
hygiene thing. Post-menopausal women get more UTIs, that's because
the hormone production changes and the immune response to these
bacteria does too. And 3x as many women get UTIs than men, simply
because their urinary tract is 1/3 as long as a man.

Back to the pain though...Get a darn test! It's so easy now to test
for which bacteria might be causing the UTI (there are 5 different
ones), and get appropriate treatment. It used to take 2 days to get
lab results, but there is new technology which is shortening this to
about 45 minutes if your doctor's lab is up on the latest.
Meanwhile, it's rediculous to suffer.

Changing your pH can temporarily relieve symptoms of pain and burning
until you can get to the doctor, but it's NOT a cure.

==Paul>





--- In Urinary-Tract-Infections@yahoogroups.com, Louise Trembley
<ltrembley65@...> wrote:
>
>
> --- mansi desai <mansid_2000@...> wrote:
>
> > Hi
> >
> > I have never had Lower abdominal pain just burning
> > and
> > frequency of urination when I get them
> >
> > Have you had it checked ??
> >
> > But you know what has really helped me is cranberry
> > extract supplements.
> >
> > I have been infection free for almost 16 Months now.
> >
> > Hope this helps
> > M
> >
> > --- ltrembley65 <ltrembley65@...> wrote:
> >
> > > Is lower abdominal pain a normal symptom with a
> > > urinary tract infection?
> > >
> > >
> > Yes I have been to the doctor and am now taking
> Bactrim for the infection. Cranberry is very good but
> it doesnt cure the infection. The pain Im having is
> getting better it seems.Dr gave me some pain meds but
> Ive been off them for 2 days. I appreciate your reply!
> >


How might an MD fight UTI:

http://tobeinformed.com/blog/how-would-a-medical-doctor-treat-uti/