09 December, 2008

MORE ON CRANBERRY'S ROLE IN UTI

Morning friends,this post is linked to my previous post & is specifically directed to one of my friend who placed a query regarding the side-effects of cranberry.
Cranberry is usually a relatively well-tolerated herbal-medicine.As previously mentioned cranberry's role in prevention of urinary tract infection has only been established,but it's role in treatment of urinary tract infection has yet not been established.

SIDE-EFFECTS OF CRANBERRY:[these side-effects occur usually in a minority of patients]
1.nausea.
2.abdominal discomfort.
3.increased frequency of bowel motion.
4.few individuals refuse to take cranberry,due to it's bitter taste.
5.In one study it has been shown to increase the risk of oxalate stone formation in the kidney.so,it should preferably be avoided in oxalate urinary stone formers.
6.in few cases it has shown to increase bleeding tendency[measured by INR] when given to individuals taking warfarin.
7.In one study it has also been shown that cranberry increases the excretion of drugs like anti-depressants & opioids , thus reducing their effectiveness.

Finally,once again i would like to stress on the fact that the role of cranberry has only been substantiated in prevention of urinary tract infection.
If he/she is suffering from active urinary tract infection,then he/she must consult his/her doctor.A culture of mid-stream clean catch urine sample along with antibiotic sensitivity may have to be done.If symptoms of the individual suggest pyelonephritis[infection of the kidney] then imaging studies like ultra-sonography[USG] of abdomen may have to be done.If urinary tract infection is proved,then proper antibiotic may have to be started,after evaluation by your doctor.

So to end,anybody not being able to tolerate cranberry or suffering from urinary tract infection should immediately consult his/her doctor regarding continuation/discontinuation of cranberry or for the treatment of UTI.Nobody should ever take cranberry,in any form without a proper prescription of doctor.

I hope this informations may be of some help to my friend & other friends also.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS,YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR MAY VISIT THE CAM.ORG SITEhere

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