Urinary Tract Infection

When the unwanted microbes like bacteria takes over the defense mechanism of the urinary tract it results in infection of the urinary tract. It is commonly known as UTI.

These are one of the most common types of infection and account for around 8.1 million visits to doctors each year.

The urinary tract is responsible for removing waste and excess water from the body. It consists of the bladder, the kidneys, the ureters, and the urethra.

According to National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 5 women experiences a UTI at some point in her life. And while men can get them, too (2^nd most common infection in men), women are much more likely to contract one!

Symptoms:

• The person urinates more frequently than usual
• Pain or burning sensation while passing the urine
• Blood in the urine
• Feeling of fullness in the bladder after passing the urine
• Soreness in the belly, back
• Chills, fever and nausea sensations – this may be Cystitis.
• Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen
• Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine
• Feeling tired or shaky

Reasons for UTI

1. Sexual intercourse (especially if more frequent, intense, and with multiple or new partners)
2. Conditions like diabetes
3. Poor personal hygiene and use of improper undergarments
4. Problems emptying the bladder completely
5. Having a urinary catheter
6. Bowel incontinence
7. Blocked flow of urine
8. Kidney stones
9. Some forms of contraception
10. Pregnancy and Menopause
11. Procedures involving the urinary tract
12. Suppressed immune system
13. Immobility for a long period
14. Use of spermicides and tampons
15. Heavy use of antibiotics

Prevention and Remedies:

• Washing genital area with proper soap
• Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. This flushes bacteria from the bladder.
• Drink barley and coconut water to dilute the urine.
• Avoid -spicy foods, alcohol drinks, caffeinated drinks.
• Restrict eating – beans, tomatoes, okra, tomatoes
• If there is an urge to go to bathroom – go immediately. Don’t hold back and don’t give a chance to bacterial to grow.
• Wipe your private parts using water after urination and passing motion.
• Drinking water as much as possible ( before and after intercourse)
• Wear cotton undergarments. This helps in keeping bacterial growth restricted.
• Take a shower and avoid soaking in bath tubs.
• Urinate shortly after the intercourse
• Avoid public toilets as much as possible. If you need to – use sanitizer and wipe the toilet seats or flush the toilet properly before using it.
• Eat yogurt that helps in creating acidic environment in the system and keeps away unwanted bacterial growth
• Consume Vitamin C and fruits that contains vitamin C – citrus fruits, Indian gooseberry (amla ) helps.
• Drink boiled coriander seed water
• Women – Sanitary pads or menstrual cups are preferred to tampons
• Avoid using strong scented bath soaps and any perfumed products in the genital area
• Drink cranberry juice that contains hippuric acid – it prevents cystitis

Disclaimer: If you have severe fever, chill and unbearable pain in your urinary system then contact your physician immediately. Seek their suggestion before proceeding with any of above mentioned remedies.

References:

• http://www.prevention.com
• https://www.livescience.com/44121-u
• Ayruveda for all by Dr. Ch. Murali Manohar (by Pustak Mahal, 2003)

Image credit: Enterococci Photo by Janice Haney Carr, USCDCP on Pixnio ( public domain (CC0)

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2605_The_Bladder.jpg

Attribution: OpenStax College / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)