Cialis Update

In the ever expanding treatment of erectile dysfunction, Cialis has now obtained FDA approval for use of their 5mg daily dose for both treatment of erectile dysfunction and benign prostatic hyperplasia.  During review of men using Cialis for erectile dysfunction the participants incidentally noted that they experienced less urinary symptoms of frequency, urgency, and nocturia.  Due to the prolonged half-life of the medication, approval was granted.

As a result, men with a primary concern for erectile dysfunction have a new treatment that can also offer improvement in their urinary symptoms – possibly eliminating the need to dual medications in the past.

Cranberry Juice for Urinary Tract Infections

During a typical week, I will get several questions about the use of cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infections.  As Americans continue to search for “natural” remedies and the food scene turns towards a more “local” table, this approach to wellness is only natural.

Over the past ten years, several studies have been performed in an attempt to determine if cranberry juice or powder can truly prevent urinary tract infections.  It is proposed that the tannins within cranberry juice prevent the attachment of common bacteria to the lining of the urinary tract; therefore, the infection cannot take hold.

These studies have shown there can be a benefit in preventing urinary tract infections in women with recurrent infections.  However, the effect is modest at best and the needed dose is unknown.  Further, one must take into account the extra sugar and calories that one adds by drinking juice regularly.

In my practice, I tend to recommend that individuals who have more than 4 infections in a year may want to CONSIDER adding cranberry supplements to their diet.  Again, the dose and frequency is unknown, but this adds protection without the added calories of juice.  For individuals who are experiencing their first infection there appears to be little benefit.