Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria entering the urethra from outside. Of all cases, somewhere around 70% is caused by the bacterium E-coli (Escherichia coliform). E-coli actually lives quite naturally in the bowel and is mostly harmless. However when it gets into the bladder it will breed rapidly and start causing symptoms within hours. Bacterium will usually enter the bladder through the urethra due to cross contamination from the bowel, though can make its way through the digestion system, if contaminated food is consumed.
Ways in how to treat urinary tract infection are not too hard to find, with antibiotics proving effective in all but the most extreme of cases. However, it is advisable to stay away from all triggers, particularly if genetically prone to such infections. Most foods are perfectly safe to consume if you are at a high risk or have suffered from the problem before., though there are a few that can trigger bacterial activity and certainly will aggravate a current infection.
Tea and coffee should at the very least be kept to a minimum, and possibly cut out of your regular diet altogether. Caffeine in the drinks will concentrate the acidity of your urine, which will help bacteria to develop, and cause for greater intensity of pain when you pass water. As an alternative, try drinking herbal teas. Not only will they not cause or aggravate infections, infusions such as Green tea could possess active ingredients that will be beneficial to the health of the urinary system.
Carbonated drinks are also an irritant. Often containing high levels of caffeine themselves, the high sugar or artificial sweetener content will have a negative effect
Other foods can irritate the system, but these are vary from person to person. Particular foods to look out for, and possibly monitor your reactions to them include, chocolate, high sugar foods, processed foods (because of the high salt and sugar used in their production), dairy products and fried food. Essentially though, it is very tricky to determine which food is a trigger, without a prolonged period of testing, which is rarely practical.
Whilst foods that cause urinary tract infections are difficult to pigeonhole, there are a high number of foods that can be beneficial to keeping any problems at bay. As with a lot of healthy diets, balance is important. You should try to maintain a good intake of fresh fruit and vegetables each day, and consume a lot of greens. Natural ingredients in these foods, one passed through the digestive system, will help to increase the healthiness of urine, and reduce attractive environments for the bacteria to operate in.
If your symptoms do continue, it is always best to consult your physician for professional guideance in how to treat urinary tract infections. Whilst maintaining a healthy regime will help, it is only part of the answer if you are suffering from the problem on a regular basis, where a more dedicated program of treatment will have better results.