Healing a Bladder Infection & IC without an Antibiotic!

This is interesting to me. Approaching menopause means loss of estrogen which also means a women's health can undergo some major changes, for example, urinary tract changes can mean more frequent bladder infections. Well, about 4 or 5 years ago I got a bladder infection. On the emotional side, I was in a relationship that was not spiritually fulfilling and I was giving away too much, losing my power and feeling very angry. Anyway, I did what most women do... went to the clinic and got an antibiotic! When I was finished with the antibiotic I still didn't feel like the infection had totally cleared up so I went back to the clinic and they gave me another round. Not understanding enough about the risk to my body I ended up with a yeast infection that lasted for several years and reoccurring interstitial cystitis. With IC, an infection isn't detected but you FEEL like you have one which makes it very insidious. This was devastating and it started a period of intense investigation for me (as well as the break up of that relationship). As a result I attracted a happier, healthy relationship and learned the importance of some practical things like keeping track of good PH balance with green superfoods and about a product I had never heard of called D'Mannose. If I had known about D'Mannose I would have done things differently. It's an absolutely fabulous alternative! (No... cranberry juice didn't work for me and it only intensified the yeast problem because of the sugar. Even straight unsweetened 100% cranberry juice-as bitter as it tastes-is still alot of sugar).

D-Mannose is a naturally occurring healthy sugar, closely related to glucose -- and you even produce it in your own body. D'Mannose doesn't kill bacteria like an antibiotic does, and leave you without any good bacteria so your system is all messed up. It acts like a sponge and attracts e-coli and other bacteria and then flushes it out when you go to the bathroom! Nowadays, if I feel any symptoms coming on, I take a scoop of D-Mannose a couple of times a day with some water (usually one day will clear it up) and I'm fine. (It's a huge savings on time, money and stress. I don't have to stress over whether or not I can find a doctor, or come up with the money for the appointment, or worry about side effects of an antibiotic). I always keep some in my pantry. I also try to watch what may be connected to my symptoms in terms of food. For some reason, tofu, tomatoes and sugar will trigger symptoms. I also try to keep my PH high by taking green foods everyday like Chlorella and Spirulina. For someone who has reoccurring bladder infections or IC, I would definately suggest taking super green foods and a good probiotic daily and taking a scoop or two of D'Mannose as soon as you feel symptoms coming on.

STUDY:
Study subjects were Dr. Michael Blue’s long-term patients, who had a history of reoccurring UTI’s. Subjects included 42 females (12-83 years old) and 18 males (25-71 years old). After urine culture to determine specific bacterial cause, if any, subjects were started on a D-Mannose daily regimen.

RESULTS:
Of the 42 female subjects, 24 were confirmed by culture to have a UTI. In 19 cases (~80%), E. coli was the diagnosed cause, in four, Klebsiella, and in one, mixed bacteria. In the confirmed culture group, two scoops of D-Mannose daily were given for one week. Of the 12 (50%) who returned for follow-up cultures, eight were negative. Patients indicated that the symptoms had disappeared. Statistically, 17 of the 24 (71%) females in the confirmed-culture, D-mannose-treated group reported symptom improvement. Although three of the 24 (12.5%) were unable to be contacted, they did not return for additional treatment. Only four of 24 (17%) reported no symptom improvement after D-Mannose treatment. Those females who were not confirmed by culture to have bacterial UTI but had UTI-associated symptoms were classified into a painful-bladder-syndrome (PBS) group. Of the 18 PBS females who were treated daily with two scoops of D-Mannose, 17 (94%) reported symptom improvement, the lone exception being a subject unable to be contacted, but also not returning for treatment. Eighty percent became totally symptom free. Of the 18 male subjects, 10 were confirmed by culture to have a UTI. Seven had neurogenic bladders from spinal cord injuries, three of whom were on intermittent catheterization and four had indwelling supra-pubic tubes. Two men had been incapacitated with recurrent sepsis, retention, and obstructive uropathy. Both men underwent insertion of supra pubic tubes. Once released from the hospital, both were placed on a D-Mannose daily regimen. Improvement was suggested by their ability to avoid additional hospitalization.
In the group diagnosed with E. coli-related UTI and treated with D-Mannose, significant improvement was reported. Due to the composition of the male group, few responded as dramatically as females.
FINDINGS:
Consistent with existing literature, about 50% of those reporting UTI symptoms were actually confirmed by culture to possess bacterial infection. The therapeutic use of D-Mannose on acute UTI’s in this study was effective in eliminating or ameliorating symptoms. In addition, 80% of the painful-bladder-syndrome group became symptom free using D-Mannose. Over the six-month study, three females with different issues showed especially noteworthy responses to D-Mannose. The first was a 50-year old female with neurogenic bladder and incontinence suffering from a monthly UTI. Endoscopically, her bladder revealed numerous areas compatible with recurrent UTI’s. After three months of D-Mannose, her urine was sterile, and her bladder mucosa returned to normal. The second woman complained about bladder pain for which she had received numerous, unsuccessful therapies. After one week of D-Mannose, her pain ceased. The third woman presented an E. coli infection and pronounced structural findings in her bladder called Cystitis Cystica, all of which disappeared after three months on D-Mannose. In conclusion, D-Mannose appears to effectively treat simple, uncomplicated UTI's.