a glass a day.(health)(Brief Article)

How cranberry juice can help prevent UTIs and promote a healthy urinary tract

Ask any woman about urinary tract infections (UTIs) and chances are she'll tell you that she's experienced at least one in her life. In fact, these painful infections are so common that they're the second leading cause of lost workdays among women. Yet, despite their prevalence, UTIs can be easily avoided with little effort.

WHAT CAUSES A UTI?

Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria that normally live in the intestines but that get caught in the urinary tract. Symptoms of a UTI include the frequent and urgent need to urinate, painful urination, cloudy urine, lower back or abdominal pain and blood in the urine.

Women are most prone to these infections simply due to anatomy; women have shorter urethras than men which makes it easier for bacteria to travel up to the bladder.

There are several factors that can contribute to UTIs. Sexual intercourse may facilitate the transfer of bacteria to the urethra, and it may also irritate tissues, making them more susceptible to infection. The use of spermicides and diaphragms may also increase the chances of infection. Not drinking enough water can be another cause. With less frequent urination, bacteria entering the bladder have more time to multiply and cause an infection.

Most UTIs, once diagnosed, are treated with a course of antibiotics. If they are not treated properly, however, the bacteria can travel up to the kidneys and cause a more serious infection.