UTI - Nitrofurantoin: the Super Drug

While searching for the side effects of a “super-drug” antibiotic, here prescribed  for recurring UTI, it was necessary to define Eschrichia coli, Staphylococcus and MRSA; UTI info is also included. The "super drug" has violent side-effects and weakens the immune system which allows recurring infections.

Interesting that MRSA is strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. That’s right, mutated germs that were/are [smart (their word, not mine)] strong enough to negate beta-lactam antibiotics. [The beta-lactam ring is part of the structure of several antibiotic families, the principal ones being the penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems, and monobactams, which are called beta-lactam antibiotics. These antibiotics work by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-lactam]

See: TheHealthAlert.blogspot.com; March 22, 2011, Garlic-Better than Penicillin and June 6, 2011 E-coli and Garlic

Garlic obliterates bacteria. Synthesis (separation, production) is not an option. There are no MRSA mutations. That’s all I'll say for now. The unedited information about Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; MRSA; UTI; super-drug antibiotic Nitrofurantoin is as follows:

Probably the most common bacterium is Escherichia coli, commonly known as E-coli. It can cause gastroenteritis, haemorrhagic colitis or urinary and genital tract infections. Its resistance is very high and getting worse. [Town Crier's commentary: It's worse because conventional antibiotics attempt to stop bacteria reproduction. With each mutated variant comes another (ineffictive) super-antibiotic that perpetuates the cycle of infection and is equally or more detrimental to the liver and kidneys than the previous.]

Staphylococcus aureus, commonly known as Golden Staph because of its colour on a laboratory plate, is normally harmless. Carried on our skin it can, sometimes, cause minor infections in wounds or create boils. http://www.abc.net.au/science/slab/antibiotics/superbugs.htm

MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) MRSA is, by definition, any strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has developed resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics which include the penicillins (methicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, oxacillin, etc.) and the cephalosporins. MRSA is especially troublesome in hospitals and nursing homes where patients with open wounds, invasive devices and weakened immune systems are at greater risk of infection than the general public. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

The urinary tract is comprised of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by pathogenic organisms (for example, bacteria, fungi, or parasites) in any of the structures that comprise the urinary tract. However, this is the broad definition of urinary tract infections; many authors prefer to use more specific terms that localize the urinary tract infection to the major structural segment involved such as urethritis (urethral infection), cystitis (bladder infection), ureter infection, and pyelonephritis (kidney infection).

UTIs are more common in women than men, leading to approximately 8.3 million doctor visits per year. UTIs can cause problems that range from dysuria (pain and/or burning when urinating) to organ damage and even death. The kidneys are the active organs that, during their average production of about 1.5 quarts of urine per day, function to help keep electrolytes and fluids (for example, potassium, sodium, water) in balance, assist removal of waste products (urea), and produce a hormone that aids to form red blood cells. If kidneys are injured or destroyed by infection, these vital functions can be damaged or lost.

What causes UTI?

The most common causes of UTI infections (about 80%) are Escherichia coli bacterial strains that usually inhabit the colon. In the U.S., most infections are due to Gram-negative bacteria with E. coli causing the majority of infections. http://www.rxlist.com/urine_infection/page2.htm

Nitrofurantoin

Classification: Urinary germicide

Action/Kinetics: Interferes with bacterial carbohydrate metabolism by inhibiting acetyl coenzyme A; also interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis. Bacteriostatic at low concentrations and bactericidal at high concentrations. Tablets are readily absorbed from the GI tract; bioavailability is increased by food. t 1/2: 20 min (60 min in anephric clients).

Urine levels: 50-250 mcg/mL. If the C _CR is less than 40 mL/min, urine antibacterial levels are inadequate, with the subsequent higher blood levels increasing the possibility of toxicity. Antibacterial activity is best in an acid urine. From 30% to 50% excreted unchanged in the urine. Nitrofurantoin macrocrystals (Macrodantin) are available; this preparation maintains effectiveness while decreasing GI distress.

Uses: UTIs due to susceptible strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

Contraindications: Anuria, oliguria, and clients with impaired renal function (C _CR below 40 mL/min); pregnant women, especially near term; infants less than 1 month of age; and lactation.

Special Concerns: Use with extreme caution in anemia, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, avitaminosis B, or a debilitating disease. Safety during lactation has not been established.

Side Effects: Nitrofurantoin is a potentially toxic drug with many side effects. GI: N&V, anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, parotitis, pancreatitis. CNS: Headache, dizziness, vertigo, drowsiness, nystagmus, confusion, depression, euphoria, psychotic reactions (rare). Hematologic: Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, megaloblastic anemia, agranulocytosis granulocytopenia, hemolytic anemia (especially in clients with G6PD deficiency). Allergic: Drug fever, skin rashes, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme (rarely, Stevens-Johnson syndrome), anaphylaxis arthralgia, myalgia, chills, sialadenitis, asthma symptoms in susceptible clients; maculopapular, erythematous, or eczematous eruption. Pulmonary: Sudden onset of dyspnea, cough, chest pain, fever and chills; pulmonary infiltration with consolidation or pleural effusion on x-ray, elevated ESR, eosinophilia. After subacute or chronic use: dyspnea, nonproductive cough, malaise, interstitial pneumonitis. Permanent impairment of pulmonary function with chronic therapy. A lupus-like syndrome associated with pulmonary reactions. Hepatic: Hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice, chronic active hepatitis, hepatic necrosis (rare). CV: Benign intracranial hypertension, changes in ECG, collapse, cyanosis. Miscellaneous: Peripheral neuropathy, asthenia, alopecia, superinfections of the GU tract, muscle pain. http://www.healthdigest.org/topics/category/1484-nitrofurantoin-dosage-interactions-side-effects-how-to-use

Properly prepared anti microbial garlic products in powder and liquid form have been scientifically proven to kill MRSA in human clinical studies. And unlike antibiotic drugs that weaken your immune system, garlic actually boosts your immune system, providing powerful added benefits over the antibiotic drugs. http://www.staph-infection-resources.com/articles/garlic_a_natural_treatment_for_mrsa_infections.html

The TONIC Nutritional Garlic Supplement is made from the original centuries-old recipe given to prevent colds and flu. It contains a large concentration of garlic formulated to deliver maximum protection with absolutely no unpleasantness. It is a scientifically proven panacea for the human body.

This is not medicine or medical advice. Nutritional supplements may react adversely with over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Consult a licensed health-care provider for the diagnosis and treatment of all illness and before taking any nutritional supplement.

Crystal Light: Is Natural Because ...?

Knowing that I don’t drink soda; my brother asked what I thought about Crystal Light. At the time I was mentally preparing to drive a 15 passenger van and only responded with “it has artificial ingredients.” The researched answer is the reason for this post, and I have a question for you. Why are you drinking it? It’s advertised as a low calorie beverage to with help weight loss. Here is what I came up with. I think it interesting that the ingredients list was not found at the Crystal Light site, http://www.kraftbrands.com/crystallight/Pages/default.aspx#/home. Instead I found an attractive, fun, interactive site that has three groups of flavors called refreshing, pure and enhanced. It also allows you to “find your flavor”. The last paragraph, excluding the reference, is, in my opinion, why the Crystal Light site didn’t have an ingredients list:

With “90% fewer calories than leading beverages”, Crystal Light sounds like a good deal for calorie conscious consumers who need to flavor their water. Crystal Light Lemonade boasts “Natural Flavor with other Natural Flavors”. That sounds like a weird sentence. What exactly does it mean? We took a look at the ingredient list for some clues:
Citric Acid, Potassium and Sodium Citrate, Aspartame, magnesium oxide, contains 2% or less of natural flavor, lemon juice solids, acesulfame potassium, soy lecithin, artificial color, yellow 5, BHA (preserves freshness).
Here’s a brief glossary to understand what this “naturally flavored” product contains:
Citric acid is a natural preservative that is used in beverages to add an acidic, sour taste. Although it is naturally found in citrus fruit (oranges, lemons), industry has a found a cheaper way to manufacture it. This is through a fermentation process in which a mold called Aspergillus Niger is used to ferment a carbohydrate such as molasses; sounds grosser than it really is.
Potassium Citrate and Sodium Citrate – add more tart flavor and also serve as an acidity regulator. Why would we need an “acidity regulator”? All foods live somewhere along the pH scale – acid products taste sour (lemons, yogurt), while an alkaline products taste bitter (baking soda). Acidity regulators change the acidity or alkalinity of a product for 2 reasons: taste and safety.  for processing, taste and food safety. if the pH is off, mold or bacteria can grow on a product. OK, chemistry lesson over.
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that the FDA approves as safe, as do innumerable studies over the past few decades. And yet, enough question marks have been raised as to its safety to warrant caution and limiting use.
Acesulfame potassium, often used in conjunction with Aspartame, is another artificial sweetener with even more questions regarding its long term health effects. But you can’t argue with the calories. Almost zero compared to 60-90 calories per comparable sugar sweetened drinks.
Magnesium oxide is not often used in foods, but you’ll find it in supplements, and as a moisture absorber. It has caused tumors in hamsters.
Natural flavor – finally, the reason this product is called “naturally flavored”. You’ll never know what’s in there because it is a trade secret. But hey, don’t worry, it’s natural. Had it been artificial, the label would have read artificial flavor.
Soy lecithin is an emulsifier. It keeps everything mixed together so the powder mix won’t fall to the bottom of the bottle after you stop mixing. Read more about it here.
There are 2 artificial colors here. One is yellow 5, a dubious chemical that has also been shown to be carcinogenic. The other is just “artificial color”. Lovely, we don’t even know what we’re getting.
BHA is a preservative. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services considers BHA to be “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” Despite this, the FDA still considers it safe.

OK, so after all this, can someone please explain what this product and “natural” have to do with each other? Ideally, you should drink just water. Once in a while, enjoy 100% fruit juice. Leave the chemicals to the lab. http://www.fooducate.com/blog/2010/10/04/naturall-flavored-crystal-light-drink-mix-indeed/