Every couple of years I feel obliged to write about D-Mannose, because I know there are new people out there who could benefit greatly by knowing about it.

D-Mannose is simply a sugar, but it is very effective in treating and preventing bladder infections.

Bladder infections can attack anyone and can often reoccur. Women suffer more commonly than men, and the elderly and disabled are more prone to repeated infection.

More than 90 per cent of bladder infections are caused by the bacterium E.coli. The bacteria stick to the bladder wall, multiply and grow and cause infection.

If you have ever suffered a bladder infection, you`ll know the pain, distress and suffering that can come with it. Bladder infections are painful in the lower pelvic region and the lower back.

They cause an increased frequency of urination, and pain and burning on passing urine. The urine often becomes cloudy and may smell foul.

A bladder infection, if not treated in time, can progress upwards to infect the kidneys. Symptoms then become even more pronounced and severe.

Kidney and bladder infections are collectively known as urinary tract infections or UTIs. UTIs are common among the elderly and can often result in confusion and delirium if not treated in time.

This is distressing, not only for the elderly person, but also for family members looking on.

It may sound too good to be true that something as simple as a sugar could help, but it really can. D-Mannose is a natural sugar found in wood and fruits, and is also produced in small amounts by the human body.

Unlike other sugars, D-Mannose cannot be broken down by our body for energy. It is of no real use to us, and so we get rid of it or eliminate it from our body through our urine.

Once it arrives in the bladder – and being a sugar – the sweetness of D-Mannose attracts E-coli or other bacteria lurking about, as a source of food. The bacteria stick to the D-Mannose and are flushed out of the bladder with our urine, leaving the bladder clear of infection.

This is a remarkably simple yet effective treatment for helping to both treat and prevent reoccurring bladder infections. Moreover, there are no side effects.

The dose of D-Mannose depends on the severity of symptoms. If someone is suffering from a full-blown UTI, they may need to take D-Mannose as frequently as every two-three hours to combat the infection.

This dose is gradually reduced as symptoms ease. Many sufferers of reoccurring bladder infections continue on a single dose at night to help maintain a clear bladder and prevent infection from building up again.

Natural health has many great products on offer and D-Mannose must rank among its finest. So many people have shared their delight and success with using it, either for themselves or for an elderly relative or friend.

This very safe and effective treatment has literally transformed lives.

D-Mannose is available in both tablet and powder form. The powder can be stirred into a cup of tea and this may suit elderly people who are often reluctant to take yet another tablet.

Note that D-Mannose is a sugar, and therefore is not recommended for use in insulin-controlled diabetics.