preventing Bladder Infections

[light_sabe_r]

There are also those capsules which have the cranberry "stuff" in them - taking those with a LOT of water seems to have the same helpful effect if you don't like the juice.

I also reccommend this!! I had six months of full blown UTIs earlier this year After three months of chronic infection, she put on long term anti-biotics and reccommendded I supplement them with the cranberry tablets.

I'm on a 15000mg (extra strength) Blackmores cranberry capsule now. 3 per day since I came off the anti-biotics in Septemeber and I haven't had a UTI since.

[DarcyInOregon]

Hi, when I was in my 20s and biked a lot, I suffered from severe bladder infections also. I am now in my early 50s. I learned to always be sipping on liquid, and for me that is water or hot tea, and that keeps the bladder flushed out. If I get dehydrated, the infection will come back, like if I get real sick with a flu. I eat berries every single day.

As for the cranberries, mix it up and make cranberries and blueberries a part of your daily diet, and don't depend on just a pill. For example, cranberry juice is tasty mixed with diet 7-Up or diet Sprite. Use dried cranberries and blueberries and cherries and add it to the hollow of the acorn squash when baking, with maybe a splash of orange juice and a bit of butter or diet margarine, depending upon your calorie intake and/or cholesterol level. Use fresh and dried cranberries, blueberries and cherries to make muffins and quick breads. Add the dried or fresh berries to your salads. Make a stewed fruit dish, that tastes good both hot and cold, of pears, apples, and the dried or fresh berries, and this type of dish can be cooked quickly in the microwave.

Cranberries are fresh in the grocery store right now. Buy a whole bunch of packages and stick them in the freezer.

Remember that the berries are high in anti-oxidants. Not only that, recent research believes that cranberries and blueberries may assist in making insulin more sensitive, thus lowering blood sugar for those who may be diabetic. The cherries are thought to possess anti-imflammatory properties, along with aiding in insulin sensitivity, for those who may have chronic imflammation such as arthritis.

Darcy

[maillotpois]

This may not be an issue, but I was also suffering from chronic bladder infections (at least every 1 - 2 months) for most of the last 2 years. I drink a lot of water and it wasn't (for me) related to cycling. The cranberry pills helped a lot - but the infections would still come back. My internist suggested my IUD may be an issue - there was some study about it possibly changing the "environment" down there, even though it is in a totally different place. And it was at the 10 year mark anyway, so about time to take it out. My OB-Gyn said that was ridiculous and it couldn't possibly be the cause, but I decided to have her take it out anyway. I had it taken out in January and I haven't had a problem with bladder infections since!



Of course, that stupid nuvaring I was given as my "new" birth control gave me pulmonary emboli. You just can't win sometimes...

[Chimiska]

Thank you everyone for your ideas and input. I am taking notes like mad, and will make a trip to the grocery to see what I can find, and what I can tolerate. Maybe I just had a bad day when the cranberry juice made me sick: and of course, I drank a LOT all at once trying to fight off an impending infection. I need to hunt for the cranberry pills. Never heard of them.

I am trying adjustments on my saddle too. I sure hope something works. I use that bike for transportation to meetings around our community. (A retirement-countryclub type place).

There should be a removable chamois that can be taken out and practically boiled and washed each and every day.

[SouthernBelle]

I have seen undies with chamois in catalogues. I think in Colorado Cyclist???

[Chimiska]

Thanks Susan. I will check it out.

[bikerchic]

I want to offer my sincere sympathies to you as I have had many bouts of bladder infections and know full well the pain involved, ouch!

I keep mine at bay with an old home remedy when ever I feel that familiar feeling of pressure or needing to pee a lot and no flow.... I reach for apple cider vinegar. 1 tsp per cup of "cold" water down the hatch three times a day and I have yet to get to full blown stage where I have to seek medical help.

Try it, won't hurt although it does burn your throat going down but it's really good stuff to keep your body in balance with all those good bacteria thingies.

Happy pedaling.

Kate

[cosc]

I know everyone's taste buds are different but I really like cranberry juice deleted w/ water and chilled. So refreshing. Cranberry juice can be bitter by itself. Good drink while biking too.

[Kitsune06]

I used to be extremely prone to UTIs, but mine seemed more sexually related than riding-related. I'd say TMI, but nothing's sacred here. Anyway...
Drink lots. Pee before and after sex and/or anything that will irritate the urethra. Cranberry juice and extracts are great, as well. I keep a box of Azo w/ cranberry on hand just in case. it's an analgesic. Won't stop an infection but will ease the pain if it's just irritation or will help you get by until you can see a dr.
If you're not peeing pale, you're not drinking enough.

Also.
Something that helps for whatever reason, is soaking in a mild seasalt hot bath. I'm thinking it might be the effect of the warm saline, soothing the mucous membranes and possibly affecting the bacteria, but who knows. If you're about ready to die and need to try anything, that will help.

[CycleSeashore]

I can't tell you how much better I feel just reading these posts! I am also a UTI sufferer. I didn't know there were so many of us (from all age groups) and so many cyclists too. Cycling doesn't seem to be the cause of my problem, but I'm glad that the new saddle I bought happens to have the cut-out!

I'm in the group that takes the cranberry capsules. Most pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc) have a store brand and then they sell name brands like Nature's Way. I take a couple of those every morning, and a few extra during the day if things don't feel quite right. The main problem I have is not taking in enough fluids...if I get busy I put off visiting the ladies'. The more liquid you drink, the more you, um, process out, and the better off you are.

I wish that all bike routes had handy facilities...sometimes I just deal and go into the Dunkin Donuts tights and all rather than suffer the pain later. Thanks for all of your sharing on the subject!

[La Victoria]

Dear Chimiska,
Your bladder infections might be the natural consequence of aging. As a woman ages the mucous membranes that line the vagina and urethra thin out a bit and can make you a little more vulnerable to infections. You might consider having a chat with your gynecologist or nurse practitioner about this. I also had this problem and my gyn recommended an Estring device. This is an intra-vaginal plastic ring that contains a very small amount of estrogen that leeches out and helps maintain the integrity of the membranes in this area. It stopped the infections and helped ease some other menopause related problems.

The other remedy, as several others have pointed out, might be the saddle you are using. You may have to experiment with either different types or different adjustments. A good bike shop will help you with this.
Good Luck,
La V.