A UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and reproduce out of control

The main factor determining whether or not a UTI occurs is the strength of body's defense mechanisms at the time

The urinary tract

•  Kidneys.   A pair of purplish-brown organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back. Kidneys remove excess liquid and wastes from the blood in the form of urine, keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood, and produce a hormone that aids the formation of red blood cells

•  Ureters.   Narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder

•  Bladder.    A triangular shaped chamber in the lower abdomen. Urine is stored in the bladder

•  Urethra.    Urine in bladder is emptied through the urethra

•   The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same.    Except the male urethra is longer

There are different types of UTIs depending on location

•  Urethritis.   An infection limited to the urethra, where most UTIs occur;

•  Bladder Infection (Cystitis).   UTI spreads from urethra to the bladder;

•  Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis).    Untreated, sometimes the infection can travel up the ureters to infect the kidneys - a very serious condition.

•  Bacterial Prostatitis.   Male-only UTI causing inflammation of the prostate gland;

Instead of a Bacterial Infection, your problem may be . . .

Candida albicans Overgrowth

-   Candida albicans naturally occurs in your body, but gets out of control because of antibiotics, or antibiotic chemicals (E.g. chlorine in tap water, or sodium fluoride in toothpaste)

-   This yeast can invite the bad bacteria to take up residency by changing the pH of your urinary tract

-   Take Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) or a broad spectrum herb like Wild Oregano Oil (WOO).   Known to destroy yeast, viruses, bacteria etc.

Interstitial cystitis (IC)

a.k.a. Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) -"Painful Bladder Syndrome"

Body's defense against UTIs

Normal urine is sterile and has a slightly acidic pH.   Urine contains fluids, salts, and waste products and is normally free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi;

-    Urine's only slightly acidic pH allows it to control growth of many microorganisms.   The bacteria that cause most UTIs like a more acid environment, but produce alkaline waste that will eventually slow down their own growth;

-    Healthy pH urine levels are 6.0 - 6.5 in the morning and 6.5 - 7.0 in the evening.   The higher morning acidity is due to decreased pulmonary ventilation that causes respiratory acidosis during sleep.

-    Urine pH can vary from 4.4 - 8.   When the body ingests too many acid-forming foods/drinks, the acid can be buffered using alkalizing minerals, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium (borrowed from bone if not in diet). Excess acids can also be excreted via urine, however, a urine pH below 6.0 (morning) or 6.5 (evening) suggests that the body's buffering system is overwhelmed.

-    Diet rich in citrus fruits, most vegetables, and legumes will alkalize the urine.   A diet high in meat and cranberry juice will make the urine more acidic.

Microbial resistant properties of bladder lining, and prostate fluid (in men);

Flora maintain bacterial balance in anterior urethra (part of urethra closest to where urine comes out of body).   Commonly colonized with normal flora, which usually maintains a balance with bacterial contaminants, e.g. from rectum, skin, or vulva.