How to Avoid and Find Relief From Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infections UTI) most commonly affects women more than men and in most cases it is caused by certain bacteria like E.coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Pseudomonas. Usual risk factors for getting UTIs are people who are taking antibiotics, immunosupression, pregnancy, or history of previous UTIs. Other causes of UTIs can be caused by sex due to introduction of bacteria into the urethra by physical intercourse. Also women in menopause have increase risk of getting UTI's because the cessation of estrogen production in the body causes the tissue and vagina area to become drier and to lose the protective action of the natural bacterial flora that normally resides and flourishes in these areas. Most patients with UTIs complain of urinary urgency and frequency along with burning and pain. Some individuals will also complain of back pain, vomiting and nausea along with fever. Men are less likely to contract UTIs because of the longer anatomical structure of the urethra and makes it harder to introduce bacteria into the urethra.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Drinking lots of fluid particularly water will help todilute the concentration of the urine and will help to reduce the pain and burning sensation during urination. Also when you urinate the urine will help to flush out the bacteria form the urinary tract.
   If the UTI is accompanied by fever and vomiting the increased fluid intake will help to prevent dehydration.
2. The best way to cure UTI is to see the medical doctor and get a prescription for antibiotics which will cure the condition quickly. At the clinic the doctor will take a swab and culture and urine specimen and make a diagnosis on the cause of the UTI and prescribe appropriate medications.
3. Try to avoid drinking particular drinks and beverages like coffee, alcohol during an episode of UTI because the toxins in these drinks will irritate the urinary tract during urination and increase the pain and burning sensation. Additionally, these beverage will increase the sensation of urinary urgency by causing the muscular walls around the bladder to contract.
4. Cranberry juice has many wonderful health properties for brain functions and anticancer properties as well as help in preventing and decreasing the episode of UTI. Cranberry juice contains a compound called proanthocyanidins which causes the pH level in the urinary tract to change which in turn will prevent the bacteria from flourishing there. Cranberry juice can inhibit and prevent the bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract thus making it easier to flush out and to stop the bacteria to grow.
5. To reduce the burn and painful sensation during urination when you have a UTI try to reduce or avoid eating or drinking products that have a high acidic content, for example, spices, orange juice, grapefruit, pineapple.
6. There are alot of feminine products available out in the sotres to buy but the problem is that whenever you apply any chemicals, creams and sprays to the vaginal and urethral areas you will change the pH levels which will increase the chance of getting UTI due to the increase growth of the bacteria levle caused by the pH alteration. Do not use douches or deodorants if possible especially if you know you are prone to getting frequent UTI episodes.
7. Eat yogurt. The organisms in yogurt, Lactobacillus acidophilus can help prevent the bacterias that causes UTI to growth in the urinary tract.
8. Baking soda has been shown to help in UTI because of the alkalinity it causes in the urinary tract which prevent the bacteria form multiplying and grow. You can make a drink by mixing a small amount of baking soda to a glass of water and adding cranberry juice to make it tastier. Some bicarbonated water will alos have the same effect as baking soda, for example, Evian water is a good choice.
9. One way to reduce the painful sting9ng sensation during urination when you have a UTI is pour warm water over the ares when you are urinating. This will help to dilute the concentrated urine and the warm temperature of the water will help to reduce the sensation of the burning.
10. The way to cure UTI is to prevent it. Take vitamin C in your diet to make the urine more acidic so it will prevent bacteria from adhering tot he urinary tract wall. If however, you already have UTI then don't take vitamin C as this will help the bacteria to flourish in the acid environment.
11. The risk of getting UTIs increases just prior or during menstruation due to the changing pH levels in the females body caused by the changing levels in hormones and by the increase body temperature and moisture that occurs during a period. try to maintain a healthy hygenic regimen by changing tampons or pads regularly and to cleanse the vaginal and urethral areas properly.
12. It is recommended to following a correct procedure for cleaning after a bowel movement. Alway wipe in the direction from the front to the back area so you avoid contaminating the urethral area with anal bacteri
13. If you are experiencing abdominal cramps along with the UTI then a method to reduce the pain is to use a heat pad and place it around the abdominal arra to help reduce the pressure and to relax the muscles.