Why Do I Keep Getting Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs can be extremely frustrating when they keep coming back. Most of the time, the recurrent infection is caused by the same pathogen as the initial infection. And about 80% of UTIs are reoccurring.
This could be due to the antibiotic resistance of the bacteria. Since we take so many antibiotics, they are becoming less and less effective against many strains of E. coli. It can also be simply physiology certain women are just more prone to urinary tract infections.
One of the keys is to make sure that you start treating a UTI as soon as you feel even very mild symptoms pop up. The longer the bacteria have a chance to multiply, the harder the infection is to get rid of.
Practicing the natural and preventive measures I’ve laid out here is a great idea take a daily probiotic, vitamin C, and drink plenty of watereven if you don’t have symptoms right now. These good habits can go a long way towards keeping a UTI from cropping back up.
Wipe From Front To Back
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces gain access to the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.
Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can lead to infections.
After urinating, wipe in a way that prevents bacteria from coming into contact with the genitals. Use separate pieces of toilet paper to wipe the genitals and anus.
Practice These Healthy Habits
Preventing urinary tract infections starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.
First, its important not to hold urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection .
Peeing after sexual intercourse can also reduce the risk of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria .
Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs .
Finally, when you use the toilet, make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria to spread to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs .
SUMMARY
Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Spermicide use and wiping from back to front may increase the risk of UTI.
Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.
Here are a few supplements that have been studied:
- D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests its effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence (
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Pristyn Care Offers Smooth Treatment Experience
Our doctors at Pristyn Care are highly experienced to treat numerous males problems including UTIs. There are many Pristyn Care clinics, to visit the one nearby you, you have to just simply book your online appointment. We ensure that you receive the best treatment without any discomfort and get rid of problems fast.
So, put an end to your miseries of UTIs and visit us without any more delay.
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Are Bananas Good For Utis
The American Urological Association calls bananas a bladder-friendly food. Thats because bananas arent likely to irritate the bladder in most people. Other bladder-friendly fruits and veggies include: pears, green beans, winter squash, and potatoes. While eating bananas may help to lessen bladder irritation, eating bananas alone wont make a UTI go away.
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How Can Cranberry Juice Help Treat Utis
Cranberry juice is a natural way to treat UTIs. The juice contains compounds that can help prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract, which can help reduce the risk of infection. Cranberry juice can also help to flush out bacteria that may already be present in the urinary tract.
What Is The Prognosis For Urinary Tract Infections
- Simple urinary tract infections usually resolve with a course of antibiotics with no serious complications.
- Complicated urinary tract infections carry a higher risk of treatment failure, although most individuals treated with the appropriate antibiotic in a timely manner will have a favorable outcome.
- Individuals who develop sepsis as the result of a urinary tract infection carry a more guarded prognosis, as sepsis is a serious condition that can sometimes result in death. This is a rare occurrence in healthy individuals.
- Elderly individuals or those who have kidney stones, diabetes, sickle cell disease, cancer, or chronic kidney diseases are more likely to have complications or a poor outcome resulting from a urinary tract infection.
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Blood In Urine Treatment
The treatment will obviously depend on the underlying cause for the blood in your urine. More information can be found in the separate individual leaflets on the various conditions that can cause blood in your urine.
If no cause can be found then you should still report any further bleeding to your GP who may want to you to undergo more tests. You should not ignore any blood in your urine even if you have had normal tests in the past.
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Home Remedies For Cystitis
9 Jul 2020
Urinary tract infections are caused by a bacterial infection, so doctors generally treat them with antibiotics, but is it possible to treat a UTI without antibiotics?
While scientific research supports some home or natural remedies for urinary tract infections, others have been part of traditional medicine systems for thousands of years.
To treat a urinary infection without antibiotics, we can try the following home remedies:
1. Stay hydrated
Drinking water regularly can help treat a urinary infection.
Drinking enough water is one of the easiest ways to help prevent and treat urinary tract infections.
Water helps urinary tract organs remove waste from the body efficiently while retaining vital nutrients and electrolytes.
Being hydrated also dilutes urine and speeds its journey through the system, making it difficult for bacteria to reach the cells that line the urinary organs and cause an infection.
There is no established recommendation on the number of liters they should drink daily, since the water needs of each person are different. However, on average, people should drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day.
2. Urinate when the need arises
Frequent urination puts pressure on bacteria in the urinary tract, which can help kill them.
It also reduces the amount of time bacteria in the urine is exposed to cells in the urinary tract, reducing the risk of them sticking to and forming an infection.
3. Drink cranberry juice
4. Use probiotics
- yogurts
Also Check: Best Probiotic For Women’s Urinary Tract Health
Increase Your Natural Flora With Probiotics
The wall of a womans vagina is usually lined with lactobacilli, which acts as the bodys natural defense against infection.11 It prevents E. Coli from infecting the vagina, thus, treating and reducing the chances of UTI.12 Including probiotics in your diet will ensure a healthy supply of natural bacterial flora.
The Best Natural Remedies For A Uti
The best natural remedy for a UTI is, first and foremost, prevention. As I mentioned earlier, practicing good sex hygiene is essential, and so is wiping from the front to back when using the restroom. Anything you can do to help prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the urethra is key.
However, another thing to focus on is keeping your immune system strong at all times.
Here are some of the ways to support your immune system and specifically fight off bladder infections that you can try before resorting to antibiotics or if you’ve tried medications and they didn’t work.
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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
- Fever.
- Back pain.
- Vomiting.
If you have any of these symptoms, or your other symptoms continue after treatment, call your healthcare provider. A UTI can spread throughout your urinary tract and into other parts of your body. However, treatment is very effective and can quickly relieve your symptoms.
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Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections
Anyone can get a urinary tract infection, but they are more common in women. This is because the urethra in females is shorter and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common. Older adults also are at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. There are several medical conditions that can be related to this, including an enlarged prostate or a bladder prolapse .
If you get frequent urinary tract infections, your healthcare provider may do tests to check for other health problems such as diabetes or an abnormal urinary systemthat may be contributing to your infections. People with frequent UTIs are occasionally given low-dose antibiotics for a period of time to prevent the infection from coming back. This cautious approach to treating frequent UTIs is because your body can develop a resistance to the antibiotic and you can get other types of infections, such as C. diff colitis. This practice is used very infrequently.
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Up Your Vitamin C Intake
Theres some scientific evidence that increasing your vitamin C intake can help your body fight off infections, including those in the urinary tract. Thats because vitamin C can increase urine acidity, giving it antibacterial capabilities.
In one study, pregnant women who took 100 mg of vitamin C had less than half the risk of developing a UTI than the control group.
If you want to use vitamin C to treat or prevent a UTI, talk to your provider, who can help you decide how much to supplement. Another way to increase vitamin C intake is by eating foods that are rich in the vitamin, like red peppers, kiwi, and citrus fruits.
If you have a current UTI, citrus fruit and juice may irritate your bladder, so be sure to monitor your symptoms if you decide to up your vitamin C intake.
Urinate When The Need Arises
Frequent urination puts pressure on bacteria in the urinary tract, which can help to clear them out.
It also reduces the amount of time that bacteria in the urine are exposed to cells in the urinary tract, reducing the risk of them attaching and forming an infection.
Always urinate as soon as possible when the urge strikes to and treat UTIs.
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Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
There are many natural cures for urinary tract infections, but the best way to deal with a UTI is by preventing it from happening in the first place. UTIs are often preventable simply by making certain lifestyle changes:
- Wear loose clothing, such as loose pants, skirts, dresses, and cotton underwear. Since bacterium grows in moisture, tight clothing or clothing which restricts the flow of air can create the perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
- Drink plenty of water. Its good for you and helps flush bacteria from your system.
- Wipe from front to back, to stop bacteria from spreading.
- After sexual intercourse, urinate to clear out any bacteria.
If you are suffering from recurrent urinary tract infections, then there is likely something which is causing them to keep occurring. Constant medical visits and use of antibiotics may not be the answer. Simple lifestyle changes can help you stop this annoying reoccurrence. Drinking plenty of water, using natural remedies, and using proper hygiene practices can help keep UTIs away for good.
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Fight Those Germs With Horseradish
- Add 1 tablespoon of grated fresh horseradish to 1 glass warm water or apple cider vinegar.
- Add a teaspoon of honey to it. Drink it.
Horseradish has an antimicrobial effect that comes in handy when you are suffering from a UTI. It contains a compound called allyl isothiocyanate, which gets rid of a wide range of bacteria, including E. Coli, the main cause of urinary tract infections.2223
Tip: Horseradish should be fresh or it might not be as effective in treating UTI.
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Ease Urination With Marshmallow Root
- Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh marshmallow root to a glass of boiling water.
- Let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Strain it and drink it warm.
No, we are not talking about the sugary marshmellows but the root they are made of. Marshmallow root has diuretic properties, which make them good for treating kidney stones as well. Since marshmellow root has a thick, gluey consistency, it eases the passing of urine.28 You can drink it as a tea 2 to 3 times a day.
Looking For More Natural Remedies
As you may know, I’m extremely passionate about providing women with all the details they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
I’m not in any way against pharmaceuticals when they are necessary and indicated for a particular treatment. Antibiotics have a time and a place in our health. But when other options are safe and effective, I like to offer women choices that include natural options they can administer themselves.
If you’re into that sort of balance too, I’d love to send you an email when I post new articles. Hop on my mailing list HERE so I can share my research with you!
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Vitamin C Kills Harmful Bacteria
Foods and fruits rich in vitamin C boosts immunity and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract. It also makes the urine acidic enough to kill the infection-cause. So, any man who is already suffering from urinary tract infection must have foods that are enriched with vitamin C. Mango, papaya, strawberries, watermelon, kiwi, grapefruit, orange, berries, pineapple, cantaloupe are some of the fruits that are the rich sources of vitamin C. Other than these, you should also make broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, and tomatoes integral to your regular diet. This way, you will keep yourself safe from the troubles of urinary tract infections.
Cinnamom Verum J Presl : A Potent Botanical For Complicated Uti
Chronic recurrent UTI was resulted in patients with urinary catheters due to biofilm formation by MDR UPEC. Trans-cinnamaldehyde was reported to prevent UPEC biofilm formation both on plate culture and indwelling catheters. When trans-cinnamaldehyde was used in catheter lock solution, it inactivated UPEC biofilm formation on catheters. Since the test concentrations had no cytotoxic effects on human bladder epithelial cells, it can be used as a surface coating for catheters or in catheter lock solution to prevent UTI . Trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly reduced uroepithelial cell attachment and invasion by UPEC by inhibiting the expression of major genes associated with its attachment and invasion to host tissue . These findings support the use of cinnamon as a natural remedy for UTI.
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What Are The Signs Of Utis In Dogs
Urinary tract disease can include kidney, ureters, urethra and bladder infection.
While were using a female dog example below remember that male dogs can get UTIs too! Typical symptoms of UTIs in dogs of either gender include:
- Frequent urination or urging.
- Bloody urine. Sometimes you may see a little blood at the very end. Other times there might be a blood clot. Sometimes its hardly noticeable. Get your dog to pee on a paper towel to see if theres blood present.
- Licking before or after she urinates.
- Inappropriate urination or accidents in the house.
- General restlessness.
- Needing to go out during the night.
- Trying to pee again right after shes peed. You may see her try a few times and appear to squat or strain a few different ways. This is due to difficult flow of urine.
- Signs of painful urination.
When untreated, UTIs can lead to bigger problems, including stones, dysfunction, infertility, kidney infection, and even kidney failure.
Infections Can Also Be Caused By:
- Kidney stones, enlarged prostates, and other conditions that obstruct the urinary tract, preventing proper emptying of urine from the body
- Spinal cord injury and other conditions that prevent you from properly emptying your bladder
- Menopause or medications that alter the hormones in your body, thus changing the bacterial environment in your urinary tract system
- Any condition that suppresses the immune system
- Certain sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, and mycoplasma
In rare cases, a virus or fungus can cause UTIs.
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Add Vitamin C To Your Diet
Not only does vitamin C help strengthen your immune system, but it may also acidify your urine, which limits the growth of some bacteria and may prevent urinary tract infections from occurring. Just be careful of eating too many acidic foods when you have a UTI, as they can potentially irritate your bladder, which may only make your UTI symptoms worse.
Other Things To Remember For Faster Relief From Urinary Tract Infections
- Spicy and pungent foods can cause more irritation and inflammation of the urethra
- Avoid having caffeinated and carbonated drinks such as coffee, colas, etc.
- Practice abstinence from alcohol.
- Regular exercising and staying clean greatly reduces symptoms of any UTI
- Artificial sweeteners can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract.
- Change the underwear every day or if required, twice a day.
- Avoid wearing synthetic underwear, choose cotton ones for comfort.
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