How to Manage Urinary Tract Infections

Infection of the lower part of the urinary tract (the urinary sack & its outlet pipe) is quite common – it affects one in five women at some time. Such infection is not usually a risk to general health, but it is important to treat them promptly to avoid the risk of the kidneys getting damaged, which, on the contrary, is a more serious problem.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Sites of infection - Infection can occur anywhere in the urinary tract from the kidneys (pyelonephritis) to the bladder (cystitis) or urethra (urethritis).
   Cause:- Most urinary infections are caused by a microbe called E.coli. These bacteria are normally present in the large intestine, but they can spread from the anus to the urethral opening and unto the bladder. Other bacteria also can cause such infections as staphylococci, klebsiella, proteus etc. If circumstances allow, the bacteria can ascend into the bladder, settle there and multiply, causing swelling & soreness there. Conditions that increase the chances of infection are female sex, sexual activity, and injury to the urinary tract, pregnancy, anatomical abnormalities, and kidney stones, and concentrated or acidic urine.
   Cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) triggered by sexual intercourse is common in early marriage, which is why it is sometimes dubbed ‘honeymoon cystitis’. Vast majority of cases occur in young women in whom sexual activity augments the risk of infection
2. Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection:-
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   If you suffer from UTI, you may notice some of the following:
   o Burning or stinging before, during, or immediately after urination.
   o A frequent urge to urinate
   o Lower abdominal pain
   o Pain in the back above the waist
   o Tenderness above the pubic bone
   o Blood in the urine making it pink or cloudy
   o Pus in the urine making it cloudy
   o Strong – even fishy – smelling urine
   o A fever
   o A sudden and irresistible urge to urinate
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3. PREVENTION
   Drink plenty of water.
   Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol.To flush out bacteria and other irritants, drink enough water to make the urine appear light in color at most times in the day. This is about six glasses of water a day.
   Stop or reduce smoking, since nicotine can irritate the urinary tract.
   Wash the genital area with water only – soap can irritate the urethra.
   Never delay urinating unnecessarily _ the longer the urine remains in the bladder, the more likely are bacteria to take hold in the lining.Wash the genital area before intercourse. A woman should also urinate before and after intercourse.Changesanitary pads or tampons frequently (3-4 hours)Wear cotton underwear. Avoid tight pants.
   Don’t use feminine deodorants or douches - products which may irritate the urethra. After using the toilet, always wipe/wash from front to back to prevent the transfer of intestinal organisms to the vagina.
   Boost your immune system by eating a wholesome diet , rich in vitamin C and flavinoids (wholegrain cereals, brightly colored vegetables and fruits)

Tips & Warnings

• Why women especially?
• Several factors make women more susceptible to urinary infection than men :
• • The relatively short urethra of women allows bacteria easy access to the bladder.
• • During intercourse the vagina, the urethra, and the base of bladder may be bruised. Bacteria may also be pushed into the urethra.
• • A tampon may press against the upper wall of the vagina and irritate the base of bladder.
• • Spermicidal gels and foams may irritate urethra.
• • During pregnancy, the pressure of the enlarged womb can hamper complete emptying of the bladder, allowing infection to become established.
• • After menopause, the urinary tract lining may gradually become thinner, less elastic and more vulnerable to irritation.
• TREATMENT: Natural remedies are not a substitute for orthodox medical treatment. Take plenty of fluids to relieve discomfort. Except in uncomplicated cystitis in women, a urine culture is required to confirm bacterial profile and sensitivity to antibiotics. This helps your doctor to direct therapy according to test results and to classify the infection. In general, infections confined to the lower urinary tract are eradicated after short courses of therapy whereas upper tract infections are more difficult to treat, and need more prolonged treatment. Factors predisposing to infection such as stones or obstruction should be identified and corrected, if possible.All adult males should be evaluated for prostate enlargement by an urologist.
• HYDROTHERAPY:- Warm and cold spraying of the pelvic area—three minutes using warm water, then one minute cold, repeated three or four times ___may help to boost local immunity. This helps to increase local blood flow and so brings more white blood cells to the area. Or take alternate hot and cold sitz baths.
• See your doctor if you have any of the following 1 Burning or soreness while urinating 2 Frequent urination with scalding pain 3 Pain at the end of urination 4 Any symptoms of UTI listed above 5 Pink or bloody urine 6 A baby or child is affected