Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Can Alcohol Cause Urinary Tract Infection

Must read

Turmeric Benefits In Uremic Pruritis Caused By Dialysis

Urinary Tract Infections with Dr. Wendy McDonald

Uraemic pruritus is a common side effect in patients who have undergone hemodialysis. Uraemia refers to excessive urea in the blood, and Pruritus refers to an irritation or itch. This is a leading cause of deaths among such patients if gone unchecked.

However, as per a study published in the Journal of Nephrology, 2014, turmeric provides a potential solution to this problem.

In a trial with pruritis patients, it was seen through various biochemical tests that turmeric administration displayed a marked reduction in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein , one of the markers behind Uraemic pruritus.

What does this mean?Turmeric extracts can be applied in the treatment of Uremic pruritus effected dialysis patients. It is capable of regulating hs-CRP levels and in turn reducing irritation.

Does Alcohol Affect The Bladder

While drinking may seem normal to many people, most arent entirely aware of how alcohol affects the body, including organs like their bladder. In addition to adding empty calories to your diet and spiking your insulin levels, alcohol affects the esophagus, heart, liver, kidneys, and unsurprisingly, the bladder. Not only does alcohol affect the bladder immediately, but it can also produce long-term effects, especially in cases of alcohol abuse. If youre an avid drinker and have experienced pain or loss of bladder control after drinking alcohol, then this is for you.

Overcoming Addiction And Healing The Body

Urinary tract damage can occur rapidly due to the level of toxicity associated with substance abuse. When an individual is struggling with substance abuse for an extended period of time, it is not uncommon for the user to experience painful urinary tract complications. Long-term addiction can also lead to irreparable damages to the kidneys and bladder to a degree in which the body cannot heal. Making the decision to enter a rehabilitation program, overcoming addiction, and maintaining abstinence can prevent further damage to the urinary tract and other vital organ systems. If an individual is suffering from substance abuse induced urinary tract damage, it is absolutely imperative for the individual to enter a comprehensive treatment program that effectively addresses co-occurring medical disorders.

Also Check: Daytime Urinary Incontinence In Child

How Long Does A Uti Last Untreated

If an elderly woman has nonspecific symptoms, it is important for the clinicians to encourage such persons to drink more water until more tests are done for proper diagnosis. When a delay is made, usually the women dont need to use antibiotics in the long run.

Even with no antibiotics, some positive results can be witnessed if adequate amounts of fluids are taken in a weeks time. However, it is important to assess other criteria because UTIs can be deadly and can spread if not treated on time.

It is important to be very careful when you are administering antibiotics to seniors. The dose and the duration of use should also be carefully thought out. It is important to aim at the organism that is actually causing the infection so that the side effects can be minimized.

There are older adults in long-term facilities who may have renal insufficiency and this makes it necessary to make some adjustments to the most common dosages by using a glomerular filtration rate which is estimated.

Ask your doctor how to relieve UTI pain at night.

Also Check: Can Energy Drinks Cause Urinary Problems

When To See Your Doctor

Urinary incontinence  the loss of bladder control  is a common and ...

See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.

Read Also: What Fruit Has The Highest Sugar

Read Also: Severe Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

What Other Drinks Should You Avoid With A Uti

Alcohol isnt the only drink to avoid with a UTI. During treatment, your doctor may suggest drinking plenty of fluids to help flush bacteria from your urinary tract.

However, avoid fluids that can cause further bladder irritation. These include drinks containing caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and sodas.

Its OK to drink tea and coffee, but only decaffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic, so it can increase symptoms of urination urgency.

Also, avoid citrus fruit juices like grapefruit juice and orange juice. These acidic drinks also irritate the bladder.

But drinks arent the only items that can bother the bladder when treating a UTI. Certain foods can irritate your bladder, too. Avoid tomato-based foods, chocolate, and spicy foods.

Chocolate contains caffeine that can increase frequency and urgency of urination, whereas tomato-based products and spicy foods contain ingredients that may irritate the bladder lining.

Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are also off-limits and can worsen UTI symptoms.

Some UTIs dont cause any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • frequent urination
  • pelvic or back pain
  • bloody urination

UTIs occur more often in females, but they can also affect males. Its more common in females due to anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men, so its easier for bacteria to travel into their bladder.

Prevent Your Bladder From Getting Too Full

Empty your bladder when needed. Empty it completely each time. This will help to reduce your chances of developing two common problems that increase your risk for UTI.

  • Over-distended bladderYour bladder becomes over-stretched when it holds too much urine. This damages the bladder wall and forces the urine back into the ureters and kidneys.
  • Bladder or kidney stonesExcess sediment and calcium in urine can form into stones that can restrict the flow of urine.
  • You May Like: What Types Of Urinary Tract Infections Are There

    Apart From Water Here Are Some Other Home Remedies That You Can Try In Order To Avoid Infections Like Uti

    1. Up your vitamin C intake

    Vitamin C is said to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that cause infection. Bring vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables to your rescue and prevent the growth of bacteria. Include more red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi and spinach to manage this problem better.

    2. Load up on probiotics

    Probiotics are important micro-organisms that are consumed through food or supplements. These can promote a healthy balance of the good-bacteria in your gut. Include more kefir, yogurt, kombucha, et al to decrease the chances of getting a bladder infection.

    3. Try unsweetened cranberry juice

    Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is said to be one of the most important and effective home remedies for urinary tract infections. Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from growing in the urinary tract, thus preventing infections.

    4. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake

    Making healthy food choices and cutting down on bad foods can help avoid bladder infections. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, chocolate and most sodas- may help keep your bladders away from infections.

    Make sure you avoid constipation, engage in exercise regularly, quit smoking, keep a healthy weight, wear cotton and loose-fitting undergarments, and keep yourself hygienic to avoid such infections in the future.

    Urinary Infections In Children

    Urinary Tract Infection, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

    A urinary infection in a child needs to be investigated as it may indicate a more serious condition.

    The most common urinary system condition is urinary reflux. With this condition, the bladder valve isnt working properly and allows urine to flow back to the kidneys, increasing the risk of a kidney infection.

    Urinary reflux and the associated infections can scar or permanently damage the kidney, and can also lead to:

    • high blood pressure
    • toxaemia in pregnancy
    • kidney failure.

    Urinary reflux tends to run in families, so its important to screen children as early as possible if a close relative is known to have the problem.

    Don’t Miss: Can Green Tea Cause Urinary Tract Infection

    Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection

    A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.

    Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.

    Avoid Delay In Going To The Doctor When You Have A Uti

    At the first sign of symptoms of a UTI, call your doctor. Attempting to treat a UTI yourself just allows the infection additional time to spread. Putting off getting medical attention for a UTI puts you at risk of serious health complications. Over-the-counter medications can mask pain, but do not kill the bacteria antibiotics are necessary to eliminate a UTI infection.

    You May Like: Medicine To Stop Urinary Burning

    All You Need To Know How Alcohol Affects Our Kidneys

    There are far too many celebrities who have died of cirrhosis of the liver because they indulged in a glass too many of some kind of alcohol, too many times. So, it is unlikely that you are unaware of the downside of alcohol. However, do you know how alcohol can impair kidney function, which might even cause kidney failure? After all, kidneys are vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, and eyes are. Unfortunately, alcohol is not simply so much fluid which the kidneys need to flush out.Beer flushes out kidney stones: Yes, there are many doctors who recommend drinking beer to flush out small renal calculi kidney stones in lay parlance but that does not mean you go on a drinking binge under the pretext that it is good for your kidney stones. In fact, there is a marked relation between heavy drinking, and the probability of getting kidney stones. So, first you should understand what kidney function entails.

    What Is The Urinary Tract

    How To Tell If Your UTI Is Minor Or Severe

    The urinary tract makes and stores urine, one of the bodys liquid waste products. The urinary tract includes the following parts:

    • Kidneys: These small organs are located on back of your body, just above the hips. They are the filters of your body removing waste and water from your blood. This waste becomes urine.
    • Ureters: The ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
    • Bladder: A sac-like container, the bladder stores your urine before it leaves the body.
    • Urethra: This tube carries the urine from your bladder to the outside of the body.

    Recommended Reading: How Much Is Azo Urinary Pain Relief

    What Other Drinks Should Be Avoided While Experiencing A Uti

    It is highly suggested that you avoid alcohol if you have a UTI. While the patient is undergoing treatment, the doctor will most likely recommend consuming plenty of fluids to continue assisting the body in flushing out the infection altogether. There are a few different fluids that can prolong the infection and cause further bladder irritation.

    You should avoid the following drinks when undergoing treatment for a UTI:

    • Certain foods like chocolate, spicy foods, and tomato-based foods
    • Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, and lemon can worsen UTI symptoms
    • Citrus fruit juices such as orange juice and grapefruit because they irritate the bladder

    While coffee and tea appear on this list, they can still be consumed under certain conditions. Only decaffeinated coffee or tea should be consumed when you have a UTI. This is because the caffeine in these drinks acts as a diuretic. Therefore, these beverages increase urination urgency. Chocolate also contains caffeine, so it will increase the frequency and urgency of urination. You should also avoid tomato-based foods and spicy foods. These contain ingredients that can very well irritate the bladder lining.

    Recommended Reading: Can Iud Cause Urinary Incontinence

    Treatment For Recurrent Utis

    You can typically get rid of a simple UTI with antibiotics, the Mayo Clinic explains. But, when you have chronic UTIs, your doctor may recommend the following, per the Mayo Clinic:

  • Low-dose antibiotics, for six months but maybe longer

  • Self-diagnosis and treatment, if you stay in touch with your doctor

  • A single dose of an antibiotic after sex, if your recurrent UTIs are related to sex

  • Vaginal estrogen therapy, if youre postmenopausal

  • You May Like: Urinary Tract Infection And Alcohol

    Take A Break From Coffee To Ease Bladder Infection Symptoms

    Sure, your morning cup of java perks you up, but it may also make your UTI symptoms act up again. Caffeine is known to irritate the bladder and worsen bladder infection symptoms. A study of people with interstitial cystitis found that people who drank coffee experienced worsened symptoms. Try a mug of noncaffeinated herbal tea to replace your morning coffee ritual until you are UTI-free.

    Why Did I Suddenly Get A Uti

    Urinary Frequency, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

    An acute cystitis occurs when the bladder suddenly becomes inflamed. Usually, it is caused by an infection caused by bacteria. Often referred to as a urinary tract infection , it can affect both men and women. Cystitis can be caused by irritants in hygiene products, a complication of a disease, or an allergic reaction to medication.

    Also Check: Best Pads For Male Urinary Incontinence

    Artificial Sweeteners May Worsen Bladder Symptoms

    When you’re trying to cut calories at every corner, artificial sweeteners may seem like a healthy replacement for sugar. But if you’ve got a urinary tract infection, its possible that your bladder infection symptoms may worsen if you use artificial sweeteners. While one study found that artificial sweeteners worsened bladder symptoms in people with chronic interstitial cystitis, there’s no real proof they irritate the bladder when you have a simple UTI. But if these fake sweeteners bother you, skip them.

    What Can Happen If A Uti Is Not Treated

    If treated right away, a UTI is not likely to damage your urinary tract. But if your UTI is not treated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and other parts of your body. The most common symptoms of kidney infection are fever and pain in the back where the kidneys are located. Antibiotics can also treat kidney infections.

    Sometimes the infection can get in the bloodstream. This is rare but life-threatening.

    Also Check: Does Urinary Tract Infection Cause Bleeding

    Foods Your Bladder Will Fall In Love With

    If you have a sensitive bladder, you will not have to miss out on tasty foods this fall. The key is to know which foods are more likely to irritate your bladder and which ones are more likely to soothe. In general, you will want to avoid coffee, alcohol, citrus fruits, tomato-based products, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods. Read on to learn about 10 bladder-friendly foods.

  • Pears. They are good fall fruits that generally begin to ripen in September and sometimes October depending on the region. Pears are a good source of fiber and about 100 calories per serving.
  • Bananas. Typically available in grocery stores year-round, bananas are great as snacks, toppings for cereals or in smoothies.
  • Green beans. At about 31 calories per 1-cup serving, green beans will add some color to your plate. You can eat them raw, add them to salads or roast them with a little olive oil.
  • Winter squash. Do not let the name fool you. Winter squash are available in both fall and winter. Squash varieties include acorn, butternut and spaghetti.
  • Potatoes. Need a bladder-friendly comfort food when the weather cools down? Try white potatoes or sweet potatoes .
  • Lean proteins. Examples include low-fat beef, pork, chicken, turkey and fish. Especially when baked, steamed or broiled, they are unlikely to bother your bladder.
  • Whole grains. Quinoa, rice and oats are just a few examples of whole grains. They come in many varieties and are generally not expensive.
  • Symptoms Of Cystitis In Cats

    Kidney Dehydration Alcohol
    • Straining to pass urine sometimes crying out in pain.
    • Urinating, or attempting to urinate, more frequently than normal.
    • Urinating in unusual places, outside the litter tray possibly due to pain.
    • Over grooming around the genitals and lower abdomen often causing hair loss.
    • Changes in behaviour or behaviour that is out of character, for example, hiding more, or aggressive behaviour when being handled.
    • Blood present in the urine this can be seen as clots or just pink urine.
    • Inability to pass urine usually seen in male cats.This represents a medical emergency as it is extremely painful and very quickly leads to life threatening complications.

    If you suspect your cat has Cystitis you should contact your vet straight away for advice as they will know your cat and be able to advise on the available treatment options.

    Categories Cat Food, Urinary System

    Editors Note: NaturalPetsHQ.com is supported by readers and may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Recommendations are based on personal experience and the criteria outlined in the article.

    Prescription urinary formula food can help cats with bladder problems, but can healthy cats eat urinary food? When my clients mention urinary food for cats, they usually mean prescription food made for cats with bladder inflammation. In multi-cat homes, this is an important consideration.

    Also Check: Can Urinary Tract Infection Go Away Without Antibiotics

    Causes Of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

    The most common recurrent urinary tract infection causes in women are

    • The female urethra is shorter than a mans, which means that bacteria has a shorter distance it needs to travel in order to get to the bladder, multiply, and cause infection.
    • The proximity of the female urethra and rectum can result in a bacteria exchange from the rectum to the urethra, particularly if the patient wipes back to front instead of front to back after defecating.

    They can be prevented by:

    • Staying hydrated aka drinking plenty of water, ideally a gallon per day, to flush out bacteria.
    • Being cautious when using a diaphragm during sex. Diaphragms can push up against the urethra, which makes it harder to fully empty the bladder during urination. The urine that doesnt empty is more likely to grow bacteria.

    Recommended Reading: How To Relieve Urinary Tract Pain

    More articles

    Popular Articles