Biofilm: the hidden factor behind UTIs that just keep showing up
Are you one of countless women who live with excruciating bladder infections that will NOT go away – even after several courses of antibiotics?
If you’ve had at least 3 episodes of UTI symptoms in the last 12 months, you’re probably suffering from what experts call a recurring UTI. Each one might seem like a brand-new infection, but new studies tell a different story.
It turns out that around 77% of these boomerang infections are caused by bacteria that survived the onslaught of antibiotics – and the amazing powers of your own immune system.
How in the heck does this happen? And what can you do to fight back?
Meet the protective goop that helps bacteria thrive
Like all living things, infection-causing bacteria are motivated to survive (even when we do everything possible to get rid of them). These organisms actually know how to weave their own protective cloak, a sticky substance that safeguards them from attack by natural antibodies and prescription antibiotics.
This substance is called biofilm, and it’s present in many parts of our bodies. (For example, the plaque that your dental hygienist cleanses away is one type of biofilm.) Other kinds form on your skin or inside internal organs such as the lungs, gut or urinary tract.
How does biofilm lead to stubborn, recurring UTIs?
Bacteria (and sometimes fungi) inside your urinary tract create biofilm from carbohydrates, proteins, fats and DNA. The substance acts like a cushy, yet strong network that helps these organisms attach to the lining of your bladder and stay there. In some cases, harmful organisms can even make their way inside the cells lining your urinary tract, creating hidden colonies that experts believe may be the root cause of interstitial cystitis, one of a spectrum of issues known as painful bladder syndrome. (IC and painful bladder syndrome are serious concerns all their own that we’ll cover in a future blog post.)
Studies show that biofilm can act like a kind of clubhouse for infection-causing pathogens. Multiple pathogens may hang out together and even go to sleep (become dormant) while sheltering inside your system. Since many antibiotics seek out and destroy fast-growing bacteria, they may miss dormant organisms that can wake up later, triggering the next infection.
Discover The Root Cause
30% of recurrent UTIs are due to the presense of multiple bacteria in the bladder. With MyUTI, identify biofilm proders - even the bacteria that standard urine culture will miss.
Yuck! How can I deal with all this?
If reading about biofilm creeps you out a little, we understand. Here are some helpful insights that will put things in perspective – and set you on the path to UTI relief.
A healthy microbiome helps keep harmful pathogens from taking over. While it’s not possible to magically remove all infection-causing agents from your body, you can keep your urinary system cleansed and primed to fight them. This reduces the chances that bacteria and other pathogens will get deeply embedded, leading to recurring infections. Learn how to strengthen your microbiome here.
Certain supplements can prevent bacteria from latching on. Many people have had positive results with a dietary supplement called D-mannose, a simple sugar (very low in calories) that appears to prevent bacteria from attaching to bladder walls. When they can’t grab on, bacteria don’t have the chance to form cozy biofilms that might help them hang out longer (and create infections). Find D-mannose and other UTI-prevention supplements here.
Modern UTI testing can help your doctor pinpoint which antibiotic to use. Thanks to newer research, we know that most UTIs are caused by multiple pathogens. Identifying which bacteria and other organisms are present in your urinary system will allow your doctor to choose the treatment most likely to defeat your UTI. This helps ensure that the prescription you take will knock out targeted bacteria quickly, greatly reducing the chances they’ll camp out in your system and kick off subsequent UTIs.
The home-based test transforming UTI treatment
If you suffer from stubborn, recurring bladder infections, here’s GREAT news. MyUTI has developed a home-based test that uses modern PCR technology to detect the 12 most common pathogens that cause painful, disruptive UTIs. The test also looks for the 3 most common signs of antibiotic resistance, enabling your doctor to choose the treatment most likely to bring fast relief while supporting responsible antibiotic use over the long term.
