What
is Urinary tract infection?
Urinary
tract infections, also known as "uti", are infections of the
bladder, urethra, and sometimes the kidney. The infections
are generally caused by bacteria that invade the urinary tract and multipy vigorously.
What is bladder infection?
Cystitis
(inflammation of the bladder and the most common site of uti) is commonly know as
bladder infection and occurs when organisms (bacteria) are introduced
into the bladder. Bacteria from the skin, anus or or other
sources may enter through the urethra. The urethra is the
tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of
the body. Bacteria in the bladder are usually flushed out
when the person urinates. If bacteria multiply faster than
they can be discharged during urination, then a "uti" results.
What are the symptoms of urinary infection? Symptoms
of urinary tract infections may include Back pain, burning
sensation while urinating, Cloudy urine, Inability to urinate
despite the urge, Blood in the urine, Fever, Frequent need
to urinate, Painful urination, In the case of kidney infection
the fever could be very high and a doctor should be consulted
immediately. As with a cold when your throat and nose become
irratated, the lining of the bladder, urethra, ureters and
kidneys become irritated with a uti. Children with urinary
tract infection may run a fever, experience nausea & vomiting
and diaper urine will have an unusual smell. Remember the
child can not describe where the pain is watch for irratability
and lack of appetite.
What are the treatments for urinary tract infections?
Most urinary tract infections are treated promptly with antibiotics.
Although antibiotics have done a marvelous job, there are
two main problems with antibiotic use for urinary tract infections:
First, due to the frequency of antibiotic use for urinary
tract infections and infections of all kinds, bacteria are
developing a resistance to the antibiotics, making them less
and less effective. The bacteria are mutating thus the antibiotics
are having less effect on bacteria and growing stronger all
the time to the point the known antibiotics may soon be of
very little effect controling infections.
Second, frequent use of antibiotics has an adverse affect
on your immune system and its normal functioning. The healthy
immune system is important in the prevention of UTI's. This
means that the antibiotics that are used to cure your urinary
tract infection, may make another infection more likely in
the near future. Home remedies are effective too.
What home remedies are available for urinary infections?
The most common home renedy is drinking cranberry juice, 10-16
oz of unsweetened or lightly sweetened cranberry juice per
day. Cranberry juice contains hippuric acid, a compound that
has been found to have antibiotic activity. Or take 400 mg
of concentrated cranberry extracts twice per day. Blueberry contains similar constituents as cranberry.
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), an immune stimulant which
also has some antibacterial properties, can be s helpful urinary
tract infection home remedy. A typical dose in children is
125 milligrams per 60 pounds of body weight three times daily
of an extract standardized to 8% alkaloid.
Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylus) has a mild diuretic effect and antibacterial properties, which may be helpful in urinary tract infections. A reasonable dosage in children is 125 milligrams per 60 pounds of body weight three times daily of an extract standardized to 10% arbutin.
Colloidal Silver has been used and testified throughout the World Wide Web as a viable UTI supplement.
Buchu : Acts as a diuretic, helps control urinary tract, bladder and kidney infections. Anti bacterial and antiseptic properties.
Echinacea : Fights bacteria and viral infections. Stimulates white blood cell activity, building the immune system to fight infections.
Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis), birch (Betula spp.), couch grass (Agropyron repens), goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea),horsetail, Java tea (Orthosiphon stamineus), lovage (Levisticum officinale), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), spiny restharrow (Ononis spinosa), and nettle are approved in Germany as part of the therapy of people with UTIs. These herbs appear to work by increasing urinary volume and supposedly helping to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract. Juniper is used in a similar fashion by many doctors. Generally, these plants are taken as tea.
These home remedies are available as public information and gleaned from the Internet and included here under the right of Freedom of Speech.
How can I prevent having a urinary tract infection?
Drink plenty of water, at least 8 glasses of water a day!
Avoid contaminating the urethra with bacteria, women wipe
front to back, men cleanse the area around the ureathra opening
and under foreskin.
Practice good hygene, before and after having sex, women should
empty the bladder completely after having sex to flush the
bladder and any bacteria from the urinary system.
Rebuild the immune system with diet and supplements.
Avoid sugar, as the consumption inhibits white blood cells
to destroy bacteria,
Avoid alcohol as excessive amounts suppress the immune sytem,
Reduce dietary fat as reduction of dietary fat stimulates
the immune system.
How does kidney infection differ from bladder infection?
The bladder and the urine it holds are normally free from
bacteria and other organisms. When bacterium travels up through
the ureter(s) into the kidney(s), you could develop a kidney
infection, also known as pyelonephritis as the bacteria grow
out of control. Kidney infections are much less common, but
often more serious than bladder infections. A very high fever
can indicate kidney infection. Professional help should be
sought immediately.
Do men get urinary infections?
Urinary tract infections ( sometimes mispelled as urinary
track infections ) are more common in women than in men. Women
have a shorter urethra which allows easier access for bacteria.
Men can and do have uti and follow the same guides as women
to irradicate.
What causes urinary infections?
The most common cause of a UTI is a bacteria called E. coli,
Klebsiella, Proteus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. These
bacteria are normally present in the bowel and feces. They
can be introduced into the bladder by sexual activity.
How is Urinary Tract Infection identified?
A doctor will look for bacteria taken from a sample of your
urin. The sample is viewed in the laboratory and a determination
of uti can be determined while viewing the sample under a
microscope.
Is there such a thing as chronic urinary tract infection?
Frequent uti can be attributed to your immune system being
weak, poor hygiene, inadequate fluid intake, bladder abnormalities,
blockage of the urethra by a tumor or enlarged prostate or
diabetes, in most cases of chronic uti professional help should
be sought.
Is is alright to have sex while I have a urinary tract
infection?
It is probably not a good or comfortable idea. You should
abstain from sex about seven days while you treat the uti.
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