Do you panic when that painful, urgent need to urinate hits you? Once you urinate, do you immediately start feeling an intense pain and pressure in your pelvis that you know will only get worse if you don’t get your hands on some antibiotics fast? Does it feel like each bladder or urinary tract infection you get comes on faster and with more of a vengeance than the one before?

Unfortunately about half of all women experience at least one bladder infection, and hundreds of thousands are faced with recurring bladder infections that seem to get more painful each time. Women who have experienced a lot of pain – like giving birth or breaking a bone — often rank the bladder infection as one of life’s more excruciating and unbearable experiences.

Most women with recurring bladder infections know of only one way to get rid of them — antibiotics. However antibiotics pose problems that you’ve likely faced if you struggle with frequent bladder infections: They can be time-consuming and costly to get, especially if the infection hits after-hours and a trip to the Urgent Care or ER is necessary; They strip the body of good bacteria, which weakens the immune system, causes havoc in the intestinal tract and creates an environment ripe for yeast infections; And finally, many who’ve taken antibiotics report that their bladder infection never seems to go away completely.

While you should always consult a physician to rule out kidney infection or other complications, there are safe and effective alternatives to antibiotics for the simple bladder infection.

One of them is Clear S.H.U.T.I., a formula made with a specific combination and concentration of the highest quality herbs and homeopathic ingredients that work together in a powerful way to provide fast and safe relief from bladder infections.

Another solution is D-mannose supplements. D-Mannose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in some plants, including cranberries and blueberries, that safely flushes out E. Coli bacteria, the culprit in 90% of bladder infections.

Another solution is simply a change in diet. Many people have avoided bladder infections by eliminating certain foods or substances and adding others when symptoms begin to occur. Foods and substances to avoid when you feel a bladder infection coming on include: citrus fruits, caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes, spicy foods, chicken and steak. Foods to load up on that help restore pH balance and flush out bad bacteria include: kale, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, carrots, squash, pears and apples. A key factor in both the prevention and treatment of bladder infections is to drink plenty of water and eat high fiber foods, both of which naturally flush the body.

While you can and should research any medicine, herbal formula, supplement or food before using it to prevent or treat a bladder infection, it’s nice to know there are alternatives to antibiotics.

Do you suffer from frequent bladder infections? Are you tired of taking antibiotics? Have natural remedies worked or not worked for you? If so, please join the conversation.

Writen by Stas’ T. Ozog III, L. Ac. (Licensed Acupuncturist), Dipl. A. & Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM) [Diplomate of Acupuncture and Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)], MTOM (Masters in Traditional Oriental Medicine)