Will Coke Cure a UTI?
Coca-Cola ("Coke") cannot cure a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). In fact, no known beverage can cure a UTI and no non-pharmaceutical cure, of any type, is known for a UTI. The only known cure for a UTI is antibiotic medicine.
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Causes
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UTIs are caused by foreign pathogens. According to Johns Hopkins University, the most frequent cause of a UTI is E. coli bacteria from one's own body.
Other offending pathogens can include P. aeruginosa, streptococci, adenovirus and others.
Treatment
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To cure a UTI, a candidate treatment must attack and kill the offending pathogens. The treatment must have a mechanism of action to which the pathogens are vulnerable. Furthermore, it must maintain its potency after being ingested and circulated to the urinary tract.
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Coke
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Coca-Cola, like other soft drinks, contains water, sweetener, acidifier, colorant and a bevy of flavoring agents. None of these substances exhibit a mechanism of attack against urinary pathogens.
The acidity of the urinary tract cannot be altered by ingestion of Coca-Cola.
Success
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Successful UTI treatment consists of antibacterial medicines, and occasionally antivirals. Frequently used pharmaceuticals include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX-TMP), nitrofurantoin, and members of the fluoroquinolone family.
According to the University of Maryland, there is some indication that pure cranberry juice may help prevent a UTI. It is unclear if it can also shorten a UTI's duration.
Relief
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While beverages cannot cure a UTI, mild symptom relief, while waiting for antibiotics to take effect, may come from hot baths/showers and a heating pad.
Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) may also be prescribed to provide short-term symptom relief while antibiotics take effect.
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