Thursday, March 28, 2024

Does A Urinary Tract Infection Make You Tired

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How Am I Since Completing My Uti Recovery

Urinary Tract Infection – Overview (signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, causes and treatment)

I still have that counter. At the time I write this, I am 625 days UTI free. But its no longer important. I keep it as a memento of what I went through, and what it took to get past it.

UPDATE 2020: My counter is now at 1701 days since I overcame my experience with chronic UTI. The regimen that I implemented at the beginning of this journey resulted in a long term remission from UTIs. I say remission because I know it will always be possible for me to get another UTI. My urinary tract isnt impervious to bacteria, just as my sinus isnt impervious to a cold or flu. But, I was able to stop taking all the supplements I started, and continue only with basic vitamins that proved essential due to my particular diet. I have never again experienced the ongoing pain and symptoms I experienced then . I do have a story about food poisoning in Asia that led to urinary tract symptoms, but thats for another time .

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What Is A Uti And Is It Different From A Silent Uti

UTIs are pretty common among women, but can you guess where they come from? A UTI is basically what it sounds like: an infection in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs occur within the lower urinary tract, which is made up of the bladder and urethra. While the most common UTI symptoms in women include burning with urination, frequent urination, a sense of urgency to urinate, and pain in the area of the bladder, those symptoms dont always appear in elderly adults. The difference between a UTI and a silent UTI is that you often dont experience the typical symptoms of a UTI if you have the latter hence why its called a silent UTI

Its not unusual to see a patient in her upper 70s or older who gets infections without symptoms, says George Flesh, MD, director of urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery for Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Some experts believe thats because the symptoms of a UTI are actually caused by the immune systems fight against the infection, and the immune systems of elderly people may not fight as fiercely.

When To See A Doctor

Some UTIs are not as serious as others, and they may pass on their own provided you take enough liquids and rest for a few days. However, if a urinary infection spreads to your kidneys, this can cause further complications.

So, if you do not feel any improvement after a couple of days of bed rest, and your symptoms are getting worse, the infection might have spread. You can experience signs of fatigue, fever, nausea, or vomiting, which indicate the presence of a more serious infection.

If you are having any of these symptoms, you should definitely make an appointment with your health provider. Your doctor will know the right course of treatment that will resolve the infection without further complications.

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Chronic Fatigue Cause No : Food Allergies

5 Phases to Heal UTIs Naturally

While food is supposed to give us energy, some doctors believe hidden food intolerances — or allergies — can do the opposite. According to Rudy Rivera, MD, author of Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat, even mild food intolerance can leave you feeling sleepy. Eat the offending food long enough and you could find yourself feeling continually exhausted.

“Evidence indicates food intolerance as a cause of fatigue, and even suggests that fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance,” Rivera says.

If you suspect that food may be behind all that yawning, Rivera says to start with an elimination diet, cutting out foods that cause you to feel sleepy within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test.

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How To Treat Tiredness And Feeling Unwell

Because these are symptoms rather than ailments, treating fatigue requires some tests and determinations to diagnose the underlying cause, which can then be treated. While a patient can ward off some symptoms by taking supplements like a vitamin B complex to assist in boosting energy or vitamin C for increased immune system function, its necessary to treat the actually condition so that the symptoms dont recur.

If the problem is caused by a UTI, antibiotics will assist in clearing up the infection so that the body can recover and function normally. With other factors, there may be a difference solution. For example, medications are available to assist with sleep issues like insomnia. If a food intolerance or allergy is to blame, a dietary change may be required in order to relieve symptoms of fatigue. Thyroid disease can also be treated with medication.

Depression may require several steps to help reduce the effects of the mental condition. Medication may improve the chemical imbalance, and therapy can help improve the capability of a patient to understand and cope with depression.

How Should I Sleep With Uti Pain At Night

Here are some things you can do to help you sleep more comfortably at night, if you have UTI pain:

  • Make sure you empty your bladder completely before going to bed.
  • You may consider setting alarms during the night so you wake up and use the bathroom.
  • Use an incontinence pad or wear incontinence pants. These can lessen the concern of urinating in your sleep or give you the option of not getting out of bed to urinate.
  • Use a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm your abdomen to minimize bladder discomfort or pressure.

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Can A Uti Cause Weakness And Fatigue

In most instances, UTIs will not directly cause weakness and fatigue. Indeed, as youll see later in this guide, neither of these things is a symptom.

Nevertheless, some of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection could lead to feelings of fatigue and weakness. Likewise, if the infection spreads higher up inside your urinary tract, then it could lead to these symptoms but mainly because it might cause a kidney infection. If you are suffering from a kidney infection, then one of the main symptoms is weakness & fatigue.

Looking at the symptoms of a UTI, it is very common for people to suffer from an overactive bladder. In essence, you feel the urge to urinate more frequently than normal. To make matters worse, this happens at night more than at any other time. One study from 2017 shows sleep disturbances and fatigue are closely associated with overactive bladder symptoms. In other words, your UTI could make it harder for you to get a good nights sleep because you are constantly waking up to urinate. Thus, you start suffering from fatigue as you arent well rested.

Is There A Solution To Urination Problems From Anxiety

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Signs & Symptoms (& Why They Occur)

You cant control your urination issue. The most important thing you can do is see a doctor. But once you have, trust their diagnosis. If they think its most likely anxiety-related, then youre probably one of the millions of people that have urination problems as a result of their anxiety. Its normal, and its nothing to be ashamed of.

SUMMARY:

Both anxiety and the fight or flight system cause changes to the body that can lead to urinary difficulties. There is no treatment specifically for those difficulties, but it is possible to treat anxiety. Once anxiety is decreased, the difficulties should reduce or go away.

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Why Uti Pain Happens At Night

According to Eilber, UTI pain and other symptoms arent worse at night. They are just more bothersome because people arent as distracted by their daily activities and the symptoms of frequency and urgency are forcing you to get out of bed.

UTI discomfort may also seem worse because youre not emptying your bladder as much as you would during the day. The pressure from collecting urine then creates discomfort against the inflamed walls of your infected bladder.

To reduce your risk of getting a UTI, there are specific lifestyle steps you can take, including:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

Dont Wait To Get Help: Early Treatment = Better Outcomes

The silence is tragic because with medical help, most UI conditions can be cured or at least lessened and controlled. UI is easier to treat in early stages, and there are effective therapies for it. You should be seen by a urologist or a urogynecologist, says Dr. Dmochowski.

Here are some common forms of UI and their treatment options.

Stress incontinence Incontinence related to effort sneezing, laughing, lifting, jumping, or anything that increases abdominal pressure.

Recommended treatments

  • Avoidance of caffeine and fluid intake reduction
  • Bladder relaxant medications that suppress bladder spasms and contractions
  • Interstim, a sacral nerve stimulator that acts like a pacemaker for the bladder. This is a minimally invasive surgical implant.

Mixed incontinence A combination of stress and urge incontinence.

Recommended treatment

  • A combination of treatments used for both types of UIs generally bladder behavior retraining, a pelvic muscle exercise program, and biofeedback

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Foods High In Vitamin C

What we commonly call Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid, which can reduce the acidity level in urine, helping to prevent UTIs. Many foods contain Vitamin C, including oranges, grapefruits, tomatoes, broccoli, red berries, spinach and cauliflower to name just a few. Starting your day with orange juice or including vegetables in your salad at lunchtime will help you get the Vitamin C you necessary to keep your urinary tract healthy.

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Chronic Fatigue Cause No : Anemia

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Overview and More

“If you are in your reproductive years, and particularly if you experience heavy menstrual cycles, have fibroid tumors or uterine polyps, or if you’ve recently given birth, the blood loss may have caused you to develop anemia — a leading cause of fatigue in women,” says Rebecca Amaru, MD, clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Problems occur, she says, when the bleeding leads to a deficiency of hemoglobin, the iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to other parts of your body. When your tissues and organs don’t get enough oxygen, she says, the result is fatigue.

Other causes of anemia include internal bleeding and a deficiency of iron, folic acid, or vitamin B-12. Anemia may also be caused by chronic diseases like kidney disease. Symptoms can include dizziness, feeling cold, and irritability.

To confirm a diagnosis of anemia, your doctor will give you a blood test. Treatment, she says, usually consists of iron supplements if iron deficiency is the cause, and adding iron-rich foods — such as spinach, broccoli, and red meat — to your diet.

The good news: With effective treatment for anemia, your fatigue should begin to lift in 30 days or less.

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Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back

If your UTI comes back after treatment, or you have 2 UTIs in 6 months, a GP may:

  • prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
  • prescribe a vaginal cream containing oestrogen, if you have gone through the menopause
  • refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments

In some people, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection, even though you have UTI symptoms.

This may mean you have a long-term UTI that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatments.

Long-term UTIs are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.

Chronic Fatigue Cause No : Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are considered separate but related disorders. They share a common symptom — severe fatigue that greatly interferes with people’s lives.

Fibromyalgia is one of the most common causes of relentless fatigue and muscle pain, especially in women, Mcllwain says.

“Many of my fibromyalgia patients complain that no matter how long they sleep, it’s never restful, and they’re always fatigued during daytime hours. Their sleep may be interrupted by frequent awakening, yet they may not remember these sleep disruptions the next day and live in a constant ‘fibro fog’ — a hazy, mental feeling that makes it difficult to concentrate.”

Constant daytime fatigue with fibromyalgia often results in diminished exercise, causing worsened physical fitness and mood-related problems. The answer? Try to exercise more. Exercise has a tremendous effect on sleep, mood, and fatigue.

Mcllwain encourages fibromyalgia patients to try swimming to ease fatigue. “A heated pool helps relieve the deep muscle pain and discomfort, so you can be more active in the water. Swimming helps ease anxiety and stress, and increases the chances of more restful sleep, which may help resolve the fatigue.”

If you do try swimming to ease fatigue, start slowly. As you become accustomed to the added physical activity, you can increase your time in the pool. Set up a regular time for exercise yet watch overdoing it to avoid added fatigue.

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Assessment Of Voiding Activities

Three common methods have been applied to assess voiding activities, which include micturition cage, urine blotting patterns, and cystometry. In the approach of the micturition cage, a single animal will be placed into a micturition cage to record voiding frequency, interval, and volume, as well as water intake in real time . For the approach of urine blotting patterns, a blotting paper is laid on the bottom of the cage to absorb the urine, and voiding activities are quantified as urine spots visualized under UV lamp or by methylene blue staining . Cystometry allows the quantification of various urodynamic parameters during bladder infusion, such as voiding pressure, contraction duration, intercontraction intervals , and non-voiding contractions. Cystometry serves as a standardized methodology and can be combined with visceromotor response measurement.

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

Acute pyelonephritis (urinary tract infection) – causes, symptoms & pathology

A urinary tract infection is an infection in the urinary tract, which runs from your kidneys, through the ureters, the urinary bladder and out through the urethra. UTIs are very common and, in general, easy to treat.

A lower UTI, the more common type, affects the lower part of the urinary tract, the urethra and urinary bladder. Infection of the urethra is called urethritis and of the bladder is called cystitis. If the kidney is infected, called pyelonephritis, this is an upper UTI, as the kidney is the highest part of the urinary tract.

A UTI can be caused by bacteria or a fungus.

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Preventing Urinary Tract Infection

You can reduce your chances of developing a UTI by keeping your bladder and urethra free from bacteria.

You can help prevent an infection by:

  • drinking plenty of fluids

Toilet tips

To help keep your urinary tract free from bacteria:

  • go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to urinate , rather than holding it in
  • wipe from front to back after going to the toilet
  • practice good hygiene by washing your genitals every day and before having sex
  • empty your bladder after having sex
  • if you’re a woman, avoid hovering over a toilet seat as it can result in your bladder not being fully emptied

Diaphragms and condoms

If you use a diaphragm and have recurring UTIs, you might want to consider changing to another method of contraception. This is because the diaphragm may press on your bladder and prevent it emptying completely when you urinate.

If you get recurring UTIs and you use condoms, try using condoms that don’t have a spermicidal lubricant on them it will say whether it does on the packet.

Spermicidal lubricant can cause irritation and may make it more likely that you’ll experience symptoms similar to a UTI.

You Wipe From Back To Front

Wiping from back to front can transport E. coli, the bacteria thats behind most UTIs, from the rectal region to the urethra. Moral of the story: Always wipe from front to back. Al-Badr A, et al. . Recurrent urinary tract infections management in women: A review.

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Products To Help Manage Incontinence

Many people find the following products useful for dealing with incontinence symptoms:

  • Pads and undergarments Absorbent, non-bulky pads and underwear are worn discreetly under clothing and are available in different sizes for both men and women. For those with mild or moderate leakage, panty liners are sometimes all thats required.
  • Patches and plugs Many women are able to manage light leakage from stress incontinence by using products that block the flow of urine, such as a small, disposable adhesive patch that fits over the urethral opening, a tampon-like urethral plug, or a vaginal insert called a pessary.
  • Catheters For otherwise unmanageable incontinence, a physician can place a catheter in the urethra to continually drain the bladder. Due to a higher risk of developing infections and kidney stones, catheters are usually a last resort and used only for severely ill patients.

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