This is caused by some type of bacteria (85% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli). Chlamydia can also cause bladder problems. Urine often has a strong, unpleasant odor and may appear cloudy. If there is blood in the urine, contact your health care provider, as this may be a sign of a more serious problem. Symptoms:

Bladder infections are characterized by an urgent desire to empty the bladder. Urination is frequent and painful; even after the bladder has been emptied, there may be a desire to urinate again.

Recommendations:

• Herbal kidney and bladder detox products may be helpful for people with bladder infections. If you are interested, we suggest using organic whole herb formulas. Take a look at the Kidney Cleanse Program for more information.
• Pure unsweetened cranberry juice produces hippuric acid in the urine (acidifies and inhibits bacterial growth), drink up to a liter per day. In one study, cranberry juice was found to be an effective inhibitor of E. coli bacteria by 75% or greater in more than 60% of clinical isolates. (Journal of Urology, 131(5), May 1984, p.1013-1016) In another study, drinking 4-6 ounces of cranberry juice for 7 weeks was found to prevent urinary tract infections in 19 of 28 nursing home patients. (Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, 2(1), 1991, p.45-47
• Drink a minimum of eight glasses of distilled water per day, as this is extremely beneficial for urinary tract infections.
• Eat three to six cloves of raw garlic a day, an incredibly powerful natural antibiotic.

Things to avoid:

• All foods that destroy, including alcohol, caffeine, soft drinks, chocolate, and refined or processed foods. These foods have a general depressant effect on the immune system and provide the ideal environment for the invasion of infections.

References:

1) James F. Balch, MD, Phyllis A. Balch, NCC, “Prescribing for Nutritional Healing” (1997)

2) AE Sobota, “Inhibition of bacterial adherence by cranberry juice: potential use for treatment of urinary tract infections,” Journal of Urology, 131(5), May 1984, p.1013-1016

3) (L. Gobson, et al., “Efficacy of cranberry juice in preventing urinary tract infections in long-term facility patients,” The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine, 2(1), 1991, p.45-47