Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections?

RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Losers (Guest Post) (09/23/2008) Gee, seeing all these posts makes me realise why we need doctors, ppl will follow any stupid advice and possibly cause themselves more harm than anything. Alka seltzer, and all the urinary alkalinising agents only treat the SYMPTOMS, not the cause. Sometimes urinary tract infections will go away themselves. Cranberry juice will only help prevent UTI's from occurring, and you can buy tabs/caps also. Cranberry helps prevent the bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder and urinary tract. Urinary tract infections if not treated can work their way up to the kidneys and cause fever etc, very dangerous situation - leading to kidney failure and death, so see your doctor instead of stupid home remedies - maybe you dont have a UTI, maybe its an STD, if its recurring you maybe you have an anatomical abnormality or some impaiment in the body's capacity to keep out bugs. Also drinking lots of water doesnt hurt, and makes ppl think they are doing something about their condition, and if it does go away then it probably would have gone away anyways. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By (Guest Post) (04/11/2008) I have UTI all the time I don't know why but I'm hoping this alka selter works they don't last very long but they are very painful. I will let you know if alka seltzer works I'm going to try it now. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Dana (Guest Post) (03/20/2008) I get minor UTIs periodically, and occasionally they have gotten quite painful. You guys have given some great advice. I have made a cranberry 100% juice blend (with other juices, but no sugar added) a part of my daily breakfast routine. Also a bit of probiotic yogurt every day. It is cheaper than probiotic supplements, though not as intensive if you need a strong dose at once. To save money, however, we make our own probiotic yogurt. It's easy. You start with a storebought probiotic yogurt for a starter. (You can buy yogurt cultures at the healthfood store, but storebought yogurt is quick and easy.) To make 4 cups of yogurt, boil 4 cups milk (for sterilizing), then let it sit and come back to room temperature. In the meantime, put 2 tablespoons of the yogurt in 4 cup container and leave then on the counter to bring to room temperature as well. (I use 2 two-cup jars. It works best if the container is just the right size--not bigger than you need.) Once the milk has cooled, add it to the container with the 2 tablespoons of yogurt and stir. Then seal the container and put it in the oven. Turn the oven light on. Leave it for 8-12 hours without stirring or anything (overnight works well). Then take it out and refrigerate. You have perfect probiotic yogurt that you can continue to use as starter for more, and it only costs the price of the milk! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Kat Fitzgerald (Guest Post) (02/24/2008) "Pro-Biotics". you'll find them at Natural Food stores and some vitamin sections at regular stores. Someone advised me after 3 courses of Rx antibiotics didn't work. This did! I now take 2 every day to keep everything balanced. Works like a charm, but i like the Alka-Seltzer remedy, also. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By (Guest Post) (01/09/2008) For two days I had no pain in my bladder or lower back, it just burned a little after I peed. I had to use the bathroom every 20 min, but nothing ever came out. I just had the feeling of the extreme need to go. Now, 2 days later I have extreme pain in my bladder and lower back. I'm nervous about it, but have no insurance(or money for that matter) I've been drinking cranberry juice like crazy, taking vitamin C pills and taking alka selzer, but the pains still there til the point of tears. HELP! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Jae, nursing student (Guest Post) (12/05/2007) I always thought UTIs were partly caused because your urinary tract's PH was not acidic enough to kill bacteria, therefore, caranberry juice is suggested because it will increase the acidity and help to kill the bacteria. I don't understand how alka seltzer would work considering it is an antacid and makes the PH more alkaline? Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Lynn (Guest Post) (11/09/2007) I do remember that as a child, I would get frequent UTI's and my mother would always give me a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, and it worked. Same thing as Alka Selzer, hunh? As an adult, I started taking cranberry pills and have not have a UTI in nearly 20 years. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Dr. FL (Guest Post) (10/13/2007) Using Alka-Seltzer, or baking soda for that matter, is not a "BOGUS CLAIM". I does treat minor infections in the urinary tract. I've seen may patients prescribed antibiotics that never seem to eliminate the underlining infection. This is because they consume massive amounts of foods and drinks that produce acid within the body. The alkaline in baking soda and Alka-Seltzer helps neutralize your bodies PH levels, especially in the urine your blatter stores while you sleep. Unless you have constant pain in the lower parts of your body, blood or puss in urine, try this first before consulting your physician. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By guest (Guest Post) (10/08/2007) I don't think you should always strait away go to the doctor with urinary tract because you don't always need to take antibiotics. If your peeing blood or have bad back pains, nausea or vomiting then yes you should go because you need antibiotics. if you just have the REALLY annoying pains "down there" and the frequent urges, alka seltzer and cranberry juice do work. I've only now heard about the sugar in the cranberry juice thing and i don't think that is true because I've always bought the juice from the store and its been fine for me. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By abcde (Guest Post) (10/03/2007) Maybe it's the kind of UTI--because I understand there are several kinds--but Alka Selzer (or bicarbonate of soda) and d-sammose, the same SIMPLE sugar that's in cranberry juice, do work for the kind of UTI that's caused by sexual encounters - I believe the bacteria is an e-coli. I was getting 3 or 4 uti's a year, even doing everything I could think of to prevent--water, voiding after, cranberry juice, making sure I was clean. Needless to say I was VERY FRUSTRATED, and so was my husband. Then I spoke to a friend whose mother told her she had the same problem at a "certain age." She used and recommended D-Sammose to me, which you can find at health stores, or online. (I bought mine through Amazon.com.) Apparently, the bacteria lives in an acidic environment. But they attach themselves to the simple sugar molecules in D-sammose and are flushed out. (You should research this for yourself - which is easy on line.) So far so good for me, thank heaven. For my friends mother, she never had another one. Oh--the bicarbonate of soda creates an alkaline environment that the little buggers don't like. (One has to wonder what people did before drug companies got into the business of creating antibiotic drugs for this. They HAD to have been pretty common. It had to have been a big market.) But, I want to admit that I'm haven't used D-Sammose to CURE yet, only to prevent. If I've been told if I "feel" one coming on, then drink Alka-Seltzer. Drink LOTS of water. And NEVER drink Ocean Spray or other sweetended brands of Cranberry juice or juice blends because they add a ton of sugar that the bacteria thrives on. Also DON'T drink sodas. Do the research. (Of course, if you get a full fledged infection, it's probably FASTER to take the antibiotics.) Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By MELISSA (Guest Post) (09/18/2007) I get UTI's ALL the time and found that cranberry juice from the store does absolutely nothing for me. However my yoga instuctor told me that juice from the grocery store has alot of sugar and not enough cranberry's so to go to the health food store and buy pure cranberry juice. You only have to use a small amount and mix it with water. It works really good but you also HAVE to drink lots of water as you always should anyway. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Hply (Guest Post) (09/03/2007) I have used alka seltzer with much success. I have had so many UTI's in my life. I know it's coming normally 12hrs beforehand. But like this morning, I woke up MISERABLE. Alka Seltzer and Cranberry juice to the rescue! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Sue (Guest Post) (07/14/2007) Hi - it's possible that using Alka-Seltzer will inhibit the growth of bacteria at the onset of a UTI - HOWEVER - be aware, this is an INFECTION - and, should the symptoms persist beyond 24 hours of using the home remedy - SEE YOUR DOCTOR. Using home remedies or over the counter symptom relief medication (such as "Uristat") will not CURE an infection. And, left untreated, any infection can become systemic (i.e. throughout your body/blood) and leave you with serious consequences. Any UTI symptoms accompanied by FEVER, LOW OR MID BACK OR PELVIC PAIN, NAUSEA, OR CHILLS need to be treated immediately by a physician. By the way, I am a nurse - and I do get frequent UTI's...so I know what I'm talking about. Good luck! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Jan (Guest Post) (06/19/2007) Alka-seltzer really works!!! Be sure and take it when you first feel the symptoms. The next morning I have no symptoms at all, but take Alka-seltzer once more just to be on the safe side. It sures beats going to the doctor . . . again! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By deb u (Guest Post) (05/28/2007) I want to let everyone know that suffers from UTIs and gets antibiotics frequently to be very very careful when diarrhea starts. If you have diarrhea for a long period of time the antibiotics may have possibly fought off the good bacteria and colistridium difficile may onset. to know more about colistridium difficile you may get support on www.cdiffsupport.com They are not doctors but they have helped me. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post by pamphyila (477) | (05/11/2007) Profile | Blog! | Contact I used to restore the ph of my bladder by using baking soda in water....I also put ice cubes in my wine and always have a glass of water when I drink coffee to minimize the acid effect. But the best tip I ever got was to ALWAY go to the bathroon and void after sex (to wash out any bacteria) - becaz my bladder problems were honeymoon cystitis...A fact which I got from a feminist health manual NOT my male MD who wanted to put me on antibiotics for the rest of my born days!!! Of course, if it's very bad & an infection do get antibiotics - but you don't have to live on them. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Bernadette (Guest Post) (04/30/2007) Absolutely, I was stuck in an airport when my UTI struck. I was going to be there for 5 hrs plus the trip. I had read about the Alka Seltzer so decided I had nothing to lose. I took it and in 2 hours had complete relief. Didn't need an antibiotic either, Just followed it with lots of water. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Lynda (Guest Post) (08/13/2006) If you are sure it is NOT something worse, I'd first begin taking one high potency Acidolphylus capsule once a day until symptoms disappear.(Whole Foods refrig. section. I use Bluebonnet brand, "Milk Free plus FOS") At same time I'd take about 50 mg. of BioZinc(Soloray brand is what I use) a day for a few days. Certainly drink at least a gallon of cold filtered water a day, free by the cup from most McDonald's, and very cheap from Whole Foods by the gallon, or from tap if none of the above is possible. Eliminate all acidic liquids you might be drinking, including tea, coffee, juices, and carbonation, etc. , neutralizing your system as quickly as possible to cleanse the tract. I believe you might have been overdoing one or more of the above accidentally during this heat. Lemonade, perhaps? We crave juices during heat waves. Acidolphylus helps to restore the natural ph of the mucous membranes throughout the body, so I understand. Acidosis or Alkalinosis (sp?) can happen when we crave things that are not neutral in ph value. Our bodies are intended to be only slightly acidic ph, I believe. You should see good results. Then when you feel you are well, begin VERY slowly, like every OTHER day, adding only one-half cup of whatever you have been craving back into your diet, slowly monitoring how it affects your urinary tract. I also privately monitor the odor of my underwear for the strong smell of ammonia to warn me PRIOR to any infection that might be taking hold so that I can head it off before it gets worse with a gentle Acidolphylus with FOS at the first sign, AND back off of consuming tomato sauces and anything except water and fresh foods. Good luck and God bless. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post by AJM1271 (21) | (08/13/2006) Profile | Contact Here is a web site on natural cures. I am not saying don't go to the Dr. but when you have one comeing on and it's too late at night, you want some relief until you can get in the next day. http://naturalcurereviews.com/remedy39-1-bladderinfection.html I used the alka seltzer one and it worked. I have always drank tons of water so I have since added 1 glass of cranberry juice a day and haven't had anymore problems. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Renata (Guest Post) (08/10/2006) I also get UTI's several times a year. Drinking tons of water does help. I've also stopped drinking soda, just one will start to give me symptoms of UTI. AZO also helps for immediate relief. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By Gepe (Guest Post) (08/09/2006) I agree TOTALLY. Just see a regular M.D. Hope you get well! Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post by loridawn1956 (61) | (08/07/2006) Contact Hey, it may be too late this time if you already have the urinary tract infection. But I used to have them like alot...several times a year...sure did get to be old going to the doctor for the same stupid thing. He told me and I just didn't listen. Okay people. You HAVE to drink lots and lots of water daily. To track my water I keep myself a gallon of cold water in the refrigerator that is mine alone (the guys have theirs they drink out of) that way I can keep track by the end of each day and make sure I got in what I was supposed to drink. Since I have started doing this about 3 plus years ago I no longer have all these visits to the doctor for UTI infections. Since cranberry juice doesn't hurt me I also drink a glass of it a day. For trbrown do you have anything like acid reflux? I do and found out that I can have mango juice which is very low in acid and doesn't seem to bother me. I had given up juice for years because of this. They also say papaya juice is low in acid too but I haven't seen it. The mango juice is sold at walmart (del valle) is the brand name. I like the taste of it. But please people if you are tired of the trips to the doctors for UTI'S, take heed and do the water thing. You also always have to drink more water in the summer than in the winter, but I don't remember the difference. All I know is I need to drink at least a gallon, so thats what I do. I am sure with the great information highway out there you can find more info on the subject. I even had a pharmacist tell me these same things here while back and I could proudly say I was already doing this stuff. I have a chronic spastic bladder and I erroneously thought but I'm going to the bathroom all the time from drinking water. Well, I was going to the bathroom all the time from the UTI from not drinking water. Better to drink the water like you are supposed to and not have the doctor and medicine bills. Either way you will be going to the bathroom, lol. Such is life. And tell your family what you are doing so they will let you get your right water quota. Good luck. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post by trbrown22 (115) | (08/07/2006) Profile | Blog! | Contact I have a bladder disease and anything with acid causes me a great deal of pain, similar to a bladder infection, but more intense. Cranberry juice is a no-no for patients such as myself, due to the acid content. A good soak in a bath of baking soda helps sometimes and even drinking a bit will help reduce the acid. Remember, your skin is the largest organ you have, anything that touches your skin filters through your body. So as an interstitial cystitis patient, I use no lotions with fragrances or artificial ingredients. I can't use perfumes, or be around people that wear perfume. No sodas or anything with carbonation is allowed. You can find this info at www.ic-network.com. See a urologist and make sure you have an actual infection. Blood in the urine does not indicate infection, don't let any dr tell you that it does. Bacteria is the sign of infection and a good round of antibiotics should take care of it. Hope this helps, Tina Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By sandy64 (Guest Post) (08/07/2006) hi there i work at a drs office. we tell people to buy urostat over the counter and drink lots of water. but if you know you have a uti you need to go to dr and have a culture done. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post By (Guest Post) (08/07/2006) I can't for the life of me understand why people treat themselves with bogus claims such as Alka Seltzer and risk possible injury to themselves.Go see a urologist and get the correct treatment.Some times Cranberry juice can sometimes help with minor problems but the juice one buys in a grocery store is high in sugar and low in cranberries.Not enough to be of any help. Report Spam or Abuse RE: Alka Seltzer for Urinary Tract Infections? Post by FFL (88) | (08/06/2006) Profile | Contact I have not heard of alka seltzer, but I have heard of drinking two glasses of cranberry juice or cran-grape if you prefer the taste Report Spam or Abuse