Urinary tract infections are one of the problems that people of all ages, men or women, may encounter throughout their lives. If cases of recurrent urinary tract infections are ignored and not treated, kidney loss may be inevitable. This risk occurs with a much higher probability in women. Current drug treatment is based on the use of antibiotics to destroy the microorganisms that cause infection. However, unconscious, random and frequent use can cause more harm than good. Apart from the possible side effects of antibiotics, the most important harm is the development of antibiotic-resistant types of microorganisms, which can make the antibiotics used ineffective after a while. Another important point is that it kills the bacteria in our body that are beneficial to our health (lactic bacteria). In the study, it was observed that using ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic frequently given for urinary tract infections, for 5 days destroyed one-third of the beneficial bacteria in our intestines, and even some of them did not reach the level before antibiotic use during the 6-month follow-up period.
Recurrent urinary tract infections. Instead of indiscriminate use of antibiotics in infections, implementing a "crisis management" plan would be a rational approach. Although it is not a plant grown in our country, cranberries are now known in Turkey. As far as I can see, the confusion regarding its name in the markets has been resolved to a great extent. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the proanthocyanidins found in the fruits of the plant prevent coli bacteria from adhering to the urinary bladder and preventing them from multiplying there. It is stated in various sources that women in the United States frequently consume the juice of cranberries to protect themselves from urinary tract infections. Despite its widespread use, it is known that there are no clinical studies of sufficient scope and quality on this subject.
The results of a scientific clinical study conducted in the United States and published recently are a bit confusing on this subject. 319 healthy women with no health problems other than recurrent urinary tract infections After the college student was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, he was given approximately 250 milliliters of cranberries (two large glasses) twice a day (that is, a total of 4 glasses per day). Empty medication. Another group was given another fruit juice. The effective ingredient amount of cranberry juice was also analyzed (112 milligrams in both glasses). The application continued for 6 months. At the end of the period, the recurrence rates of urinary infection in the volunteers were compared. However, there was no significant difference between the group given cranberry juice and the group given fake fruit juice. As a result of the study, it was concluded that "cranberry fruit juice"is not effective in recurrent urinary tract infections in young women.
On the other hand, the results of another study conducted in England are completely different. 137 volunteer women over the age of 45, who were administered at least 2 antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infection diagnosed in the last year, were divided into two groups, one group received 500 milligrams of cranberry extract capsule per day for 6 months, and the other group received 100 milligrams of trimethoprim (urinary tract). A tablet containing the active ingredient of a drug used in infections was given. At the end of the period, the recurrence rate of urinary tract infections was evaluated again. It was concluded that cranberry extract has as strong an effect as trimethoprim, a powerful antimicrobial drug, and that cranberry is much safer in terms of side effects.
The results of these two studies may have confused you. First of all, both studies were conducted on different age groups. Additionally, the types of products used are different; The first is fruit juice and the other is fruit extract. But I always say that plant extracts are more effective and that in serious cases, a form of medicine prepared from appropriate quality plant extracts should be used for treatment.
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