Urinary infections:

Next, is the mother seeking help for her 11-year old daughter's recurring urinary infections. Turn your back on the antibiotics, is the united cry of responding readers. The key to flushing out the problem is to drink water, water and more water. One reader whose daughter also suffered the same problem for years suggests cutting out grains, dairy and animal products from the girl's diet. Instead, give her plenty of fresh fruit (cranberries are particularly helpful, according to other readers) and vegetables. Probiotic supplements will also help if the root of the problem is a fungal infection. If the cause is fungal-related, sugar should be avoided. However, there is one naturally occurring simple sugar, D-Mannose, which is used to treat urinary tract infections. One home remedy is 1-2 drops of juniper berry essential oil mixed with water and sipped regularly. Good basic hygiene (especially toilet hygiene) would not go amiss but avoid bubble baths - the sodium laurel sulphate is a urinary tract irritant. And any young fashionistas suffering urinary infections may have to put their tight jeans aside for a while. The close-fitting material may bring on increased sweating and transfer bacteria to the urethra opening.