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Urinary tract infection (UTI)

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Urinary tract infection (UTI) begins in the urinary system which comprises the bladder, kidneys, ureters and the urethra. It is a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year.

Contents

[edit] Why should I be aware of this?

Urinary tract infection is the second most common infection after respiratory infection. It is estimated that each year, 8 to 10 million people in the United States get a urinary tract infection, most of them women.

When a person urgently needs to go to the bathroom and on going does not pass much urine. And if this is accompanies by a burning sensation and need to pass urine within half an hour, then the person might have UTI. If the symptoms last for more than 24 hours, they should see a doctor.

[edit] All about UTI

Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection

  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Passing small quantities of urine
  • Burning, painful feeling when urinating
  • Urine may look cloudy, milky, or red

If any of the following symptoms are present, it may be a sign that the urinary tract infection has spread to the kidneys:

  • Constant pain or pressure in the abdomen, side, or low back
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Chills

Immediate treatment with antibiotics is necessary to prevent kidney damage and other serious.

[edit] Factors contributing to UTI

  • Sexual activity: Sexual intercourse may facilitate the transfer of bacteria from the anal-vaginal area to the urethra and thus to the bladder. It may also irritate tissues, making them more susceptible to infection.
  • Birth control methods: If your diaphragm is not fitted properly, it may place pressure on the bladder and thus increase your chances of infection. The chemicals in spermicides may irritate vaginal tissues and make them more susceptible to infection.
  • Low water intake: If your water intake is low, you will urinate less frequently. Bacteria that enter the bladder have more time to multiply and to take hold, causing an infection.
  • Anatomical problem: A small percentage of women may have some kind of anatomical problem that would predispose them to UTIs. Your doctor will be able to determine from your medical history, a physical exam, and simple tests whether this is the cause of your infections.

[edit] What can I do?

[edit] Prevention

  • Drink plenty of liquids to flush bacteria out of your system.
  • Wipe from the vagina to the anus after urinating to avoid spreading bacteria.
  • Schedule frequent bathroom breaks.
  • Drink water before and after sex so that you will urinate a good volume with a steady stream afterward. This will help eliminate any bacteria that may have entered.
  • Consider checking the fit of your diaphragm or using another method of birth control. If you continue to use a diaphragm, leave it in no longer than necessary for contraception.
  • Avoid tight clothing and pantyhose. They may irritate tissues, trap heat and promote bacterial growth.
  • Wear cotton underwear. Cotton is less irritating and provides more ventilation than nylon.

[edit] Treatment

Do visit a doctor and follow his directions.

[edit] Home remedies for UTI

There are some home remedies which can be tried to wase UTI.

  • Cranberry -- Cranberry juice (Vaccinium macrocarpon or Vacinnium oxycoccus) has been used for more than a century as a home remedy to prevent and treat urinary tract infection. Cranberry juice should be unsweetened.
  • Uva Ursi --Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a herb that is used as a folk remedy for certain types of urinary tract infection. Uva ursi contains significant amounts of compounds called tannins.

Caution

  • Tannins are not believed to be absorbed from the intestines, however, liver damage has occured with people who have taken large doses of tannins. There have been no reports of uva ursi toxicity due to the tannins.
  • People with kidney or liver disease or pregnant or nursing women or children should not take uva ursi.
  • Side effects of uva ursi can include brown or green colored urine, nausea, ringing in the ears, or indigestion. Rarely, uva ursi has been associated with retinal damage, seizures, cyanosis, cancer, or even death when taken in large amounts for long periods of time.

[edit] Other Natural Remedies

  • Herbs
  • Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
  • Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis)
  • Buchu (Barosma betulina)
  • Corn silk (Zea mays)
  • Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

[edit] Unlearn

Some believe that cold feet, the weather, diet, personal hygiene, bathing, frequency or patterns of urination, failure to void after intercourse, or the direction of wiping after defection increase susceptibility to infection. Scientists maintain that there is weak or nonexistent clinical evidence to support most of these notions.

[edit] CopperBytes

  • UTI affects an estimated 20% of women at some time during their lifetimes. [1]
  • The incidence of UTI in preschool children is approximately 2% and is 10 times more common in girls. Five percent of school-aged girls experience UTI. It is rare in school-aged boys.[1]
  • UTI is unusual in males younger than 50 years.
  • Postmenopausal women comprise the largest group of patients with UTI.

[edit] References

[edit] Source

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Urinary Tract Infection, Female
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