What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for bladder infections?
While antibiotic treatment is necessary, the following measures can help prevent and treat bladder infections: • Avoid wearing tight-fitting pants. Also, wear cotton-crotch underwear and pantyhose. • Use mild detergents when washing undergarments. • Don’t hold your urine. Be sure to urinate frequently and when you have the urge. • Drink the right fluids. Increase your intake of fluids so that you urinate more frequently. Lots of plain water is best. It is also important to avoid alcohol and coffee. • Good hygiene before and after sex. Keep the genital and anal areas clean, and urinate before and after intercourse to cleanse the urethra of bacteria. Always wipe front to back after a bowel movement. • Try an estrogen vaginal cream. This may be best for post-menopausal women, who have lower levels of estrogen. • Drink unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate diluted with water. As an alternative, take powdered cranberry extract in capsules. Cranberries contain a tannin that helps prevent b
