People worried about their bladder health, or who have had frequent bladder or urinary tract infections (UTIs) have one more reason to have an extra helping of cranberry sauce sauce this Thanksgiving: cranberries could help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Long used as a home remedy for simple UTIs, cranberries are useful in preventing these infections because cranberries’ high acid content can help inhibit bacterial growth along the urinary tract.

Cranberries and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urologists caution that cranberries might not prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI) for everyone and urge patients to seek treatment if they have urinary tract infections (UTIs) symptoms. Other methods of urinary tract infections (UTIs) prevention include proper hydration and judicious use of antibiotics prescribed by a physician. To avoid urinary tract infections (UTIs), you should not delay or refrain from urinating and should not rush when urinating. Retaining urine and not emptying your bladder completely can increase your risk of a urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Very Common

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect millions of people and account for more than 8 million doctor visits per year. Frequent, sometimes painful urination is the most painful symptom of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Other common symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) include:

• cloudy urine
• urine with a stronger odor than usual.
• Possible hematuria, or blood in the urine.

Untreated Urinary Tract Infections Can Cause Serious Trouble

If left untreated, a simple urinary tract infections (UTIs) could spell trouble for the bladder and kidneys. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply in the urethra. The lining of the urethra becomes red and irritated, like a sore throat. If the urinary tract infections in the urethra (urethritis) is left unchecked, bacteria can move deeper into the urinary tract to the bladder (cystitis) and throughout the ureters into the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Kidney infections are extremely dangerous and can lead to life-threatening conditions such as bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream) if left untreated.