Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are amongst the most common community-acquired infectious diseases, with annual costs estimated to be higher than $1.5 billion in the United States. The impact on public health is significant due to the high recurrence rate and the effect on the patients’ quality of life. Most of these patients are women with recurrent bacterial cystitis or acute pyelonephritis, and the causative pathogens can usually
be eradicated with a short course of oral antimicrobial therapy. However, the antibiotic treatment can lead to long term impairment of the normal microbiota of the vagina and gastrointestinal tract and to the development
of multidrug-resistant microorganisms. This paper explores alternative approaches to treating UTIs, which involve phytotherapy. The paper delves into the use of Cranberry extracts, Chinese herbal medicine, D-Mannose and Probiotics as therapeutic options, and looks at their efficacy in treatment of UTIs.
Aim and Objectives:
To explore alternative approaches for treatment of UTIs that involve phytopharmaceuticals and to compare their efficiency with the currently utilized standard protocol that advises the use of antibiotics.