Uti Causes And Symptoms
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is caused by organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope, including fungi, viruses and bacteria. Despite the bodys many natural defenses, certain bacteria have the ability to attach themselves to the lining of the urinary tract and inhabit the urethra, bladder and kidneys. The majority of UTI cases are caused by E. colibacterium that can live in the bowel and vaginal cavities, around the urethral opening, and in the urinary tract.
Other significant pathogens that can cause UTIs include Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumonia. In diabetic patients, Klebsiella and group B streptococcus infections are more common. Pseudomonas infections are more common in chronically catheterized patients.
Urinary tract infections are extremely common, especially among sexually active women ages 18 to 24. Although a UTI isnt typically complicated or life-threatening, it does cause pain and suffering and negatively impacts ones quality of life.
Generally, symptoms of a UTI in adults may include:
- pain when urinating
- a burning sensation in the bladder or urethra when urinating
- a strong, frequent urge to urinate, but only passing small amounts
- muscle aches
- urine that appears red or bright pink
- strong-smelling urine
- people with suppressed immune systems
- people with diabetes
Precautions Regarding UTIs and Home Remedies for UTI
Final Thoughts on Home Remedies for UTI
Are There Any Home Remedies For A Urinary Tract Infection
The best “home remedy” for a UTI is prevention . However, although there are many “home remedies” available from web sites, holistic medicine publications, and from friends and familymembers there is controversy about them in the medical literature as few have been adequately studied. However, a few remedies will be mentioned because there may be some positive effect from these home remedies. The reader should be aware that while reading about these remedies , they should not to overlook the frequent admonition that UTIs can be dangerous. If the person does not experience relief or if his or her symptoms worsen over 1 to 2 days, the person should seek medical care. In fact, many of the articles about UTI remedies actually describe ways to reduce or prevent UTIs. Examples of home treatments that may help to prevent UTIs, that may have some impact on an ongoing infection, and that are unlikely to harm people are as follows:
There are over-the-counter tests available for detecting presumptive evidence for a UTI . These tests are easy to use and can provide a presumptive diagnosis if the test instructions are carefully followed a positive test should encourage the person to seek medical care.
A Note About Cranberry Juice And Utis
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract in supplemental form has long been used as a home remedy for UTIs.
The thought is that the proanthocyanidins in cranberries may help prevent bladder infections by keeping the bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall, says Sonya Angelone, MS, RDN, a nutrition consultant based in San Francisco, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Yet theres scientific controversy over how effective cranberry juice is at preventing UTIs due to conflicting conclusions in studies on the topic, according to an article published in May 2016 in Advances in Nutrition. Some studies have found it might work, while others have found no effect.
Bottom line, there is some evidence it may help, and it doesnt hurt to try it, says Angelone. Just be sure to chose unsweetened cranberry juice . Mix this with sparkling water or plain yogurt, she recommends.
Another low-calorie option choose a cranberry pill that contains d-mannose, she says.
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Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infections
How do you know if you have a UTI? Well, sometimes there are actually no symptoms at all and other times you will experience some pretty noticeable signs.
The most common symptoms associated with UTIs are:
- Strong, persistent need to urinate
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Urine with a strong odor
- Urinating small amounts frequently
- Pain in the pelvic area, particularly for women
If the infection has made it to your kidneys, you might have one or more of these symptoms:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Pain located below the ribs in your back or side
If you think you have a UTI, especially if you think that its become a kidney infection, its important to see your doctor. They can rule out the cause and prescribe you antibacterial or antibiotic drugs to kill off the bacteria.
Drinking Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking lots of water is one of the best home treatments for UTI. Dehydration is itself a risk factor for developing a UTI, and regular urination can help remove bacteria from the urinary tract, which can help prevent infection.
In fact, studies show people who increase their water intake from less than 1.5 daily liters to 2.2 liters a day experience fewer UTIs.
Its commonly recommended to drink around 64 ounces of water daily, but everyones hydration needs are different. As a general rule, drink water throughout the day and whenever you feel thirsty.
When you are well-hydrated, your urine is typically clear or straw colored. You should also avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks when you have a UTI or want to prevent one.
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Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection
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What is Urinary Tract Infection?What are the Causes of Urinary Tract Infection?Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection-
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Increased frequency of urination
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Mild to moderate pain in the abdomen
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Noticeable change in the color of urine
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Burning sensation while urinating
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Pain while urinating
Home Remedies to Curb Urinary Tract Infection-Yogurt Goodness-Blueberry Power-Water Splash-TropicalCranberry to the Rescue-Vital Vitamin C-Vinegar PowerBaking Soda-
Is It Possible To Prevent Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections With A Vaccine
Currently, there are no commercially available vaccines for UTIs, either recurrent or first-time infections. One of the problems in developing a vaccine is that so many different organisms can cause infection a single vaccine would be difficult to synthesize to cover them all. Even with E. coli causing about most infections, the subtle changes in antigenic structures that vary from strain to strain further complicates vaccine development even for E. coli. Researchers are still investigating ways to overcome the problems in UTI vaccine development.
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Take An Otc Pain Reliever
Over-the-counter pain medications can temporarily relieve pain caused by a UTI. Use caution here, and always speak with a doctor first, as some UTIs can turn into kidney infections. In these cases, patients should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which could make the infection worse.
Top 12 Natural Home Remedies For Uti
Urinary tract infections are some of the most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women, accounting for nearly 25 percent of all infections. More than 50 percent of women will develop a UTI and UTI symptoms in their lifetimes, and because antibiotics are the most common conventional treatment for UTIs, bacteria have become antibiotic-resistant and recurring infections are a major concern. For this reason, its important to use home remedies for UTIs that eliminate bacteria completely and reduce the risk of developing recurrent urinary tract infections.
Some of the best home remedies for UTI include drinking plenty of fluids, staying clean and dry, and consuming things like cranberries, probiotics, vitamin C and using essential oils. Read on for all 12 of my top home remedies for UTI.
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What Are Urinary Tract Infection Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing urinary tract infections include the following:
- Wiping from back to front following a bowel movement, particularly in women, can introduce bacteria into the urethra.
- Sexual intercourse can push bacteria from the vaginal area into the urethra.
- Holding the urine too long: When someone holds it in, more bacteria have a chance to multiply, which can cause or worsen a UTI.
- Kidney stones can make it hard to empty the bladder completely, which can also lead to urine remaining in the bladder too long.
- Certain types of birth control devices , including diaphragms or condoms with spermicides
- Hormonal changes and changes in the vagina following menopause
- Using urinary catheters, which are small tubes inserted into the bladder to drain urine, can predispose someone to catheter-associated UTIs.
- Surgery of the genitourinary tract may introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, resulting in a UTI.
- Women tend to get UTIs more frequently than men because the urethra in women is shorter and located closer to the rectum.
- Use of douches
Vaginal itching is not a typical symptom of a UTI. It may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or a vaginal yeast infection.
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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When To Contact A Doctor
If a person suspects that they might have a UTI, they should speak with a doctor for advice on the best way to treat the possible infection.
Antibiotics may not always be necessary to treat UTIs, but it is still important to seek medical attention for any suspected infection. This will reduce the risk of a more severe infection developing that is harder to treat.
The signs and symptoms of UTIs include:
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about treating UTIs.
How To Get Rid Of A Uti
Maybe youve heard other peoples UTI nightmares: the friend who gets one almost every time she has sex the 70-something aunt who struggles with recurring infections now that shes older. Or maybe youre dealing with symptoms seemingly out of the blue or after a weekend of hot tubbing.
When symptoms surface, the cause doesnt exactly matter all you want to know is how to get rid of your UTI.
Antibiotics are the main treatment, especially if you have a raging infection. But when symptoms are mild or vague, it may be worth giving natural remedies for a UTI a try before popping a prescription pill or while youre waiting for your meds to kick in.
So what exactly is a UTI? A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is a general term for any infection along the urinary tract. Infections usually start in the lower urinary tract, where the urethra and bladder are located.
Sometimes UTIs travel to the ureters and kidneys .
Anyone can get a UTI and at any age, including babies, toddlers, and menbut these infections are much more common in women. Doctors say its an anatomy thing: Womens urethras are shorter than mens and closer to the anus, so its easier for bacteria to enter the body and ascend the urinary tract.
Most UTIs are bladder infections . Common symptoms include burning lower abdominal pain and a frequent or urgent need to urinate, even if you barely have a trickle of pee to pass.
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Urinary Tract Infection: Know About The Causes Symptoms And Treatment
Urinary tract infections or UTIs can affect anyone at any time. However, women are more prone to these infections compared to men. This is because the urethra of women is shorter than that of men and bacteria moves comfortably and rapidly. It also makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
Some of the symptoms of UTIs include discomfort such as burning sensation and pain, and at times even fever. Some other symptoms include nausea, cloudy urine and foul smell in urine.
A common theory says that a healthy woman’s urine is sterile and bacteria are shared amongst the bladder and the vagina. But in few studies done in US, researchers have debunked this belief and said that a woman’s bladder is not sterile. It said that the bladder contains both good and bad bacteria and this can be quite helpful for the better diagnosis of UTIs. The research also said that the microbiota consists of E.coli and S.anginosus besides L.iners and L.cripatus. The good bacteria present in the bladder and vagina can safeguard against UTIs.
Avoid cold water to prevent cold and cough. Do not eat spicy, oily, processed, and junk food as it can lead to acidity that is a common health problem during the sunny days. Moreover, hydration is the key to wellness, said Dr Modi.
Cucumber has a high amount of water, which is an excellent way to get to have extra fluid through your system when you feel yourself having a hard time drinking sufficient water.
Understanding The Female Urinary Tract
Women, especially, are prone to UTIs because of the anatomy of the female urinary tract. A womans urethra is shorter, which means bacteria have quicker access to the bladder. Their urethral opening is also closer to potential bacteria from the anus and vagina. A womans lifetime risk of having a UTI is greater than 50 percent, so ladies, dont be surprised when it strikes. Its also known to be more common after menopause because of hormonal changes in the body . All the more reason to take preventative measures with natural remedies for UTI, which well get to shortly.
Keeping in mind that a UTI is caused by bacteria that enters the urinary tract, typical causes are sexual intercourse and wiping incorrectly from back to front. If you find yourself experiencing recurring UTIs, you could have a genetic disposition or an underlying reason like kidney disease. About 20 percent of women with a first UTI will have a recurrent infection, and with each additional UTI, the risk of recurrence goes up, NIH reports.
Thanks to Mother Nature, though, the urinary tract has several systems to prevent infection. The points where the ureters attach to the bladder act like one-way valves to stop urine from backing up toward the kidneys. The act of urinating itself washes bacteria and other microbes out of the body. For men, fluid excreted by the prostate helps slow bacterial growth. And for both sexes, the immune system kicks in to fight the infection.
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Iii Home Remedies For Uti
If you have ever had uti and want to discover home remedies for uti, you will probably forget its symptoms. It may start with a sudden need to visit the toilet. When getting there, you squeeze out a little urine, and this is usually accompanied by the burning sensation in the bladder or urethra. In an extreme case, you end up with chills, back pain, fever and even blood in the urine.
The good news for UTI patients is that many home remedies for uti can help they prevent and cure urinary tract infections.
1. Go Pee If Necessary
Obviously, going pee is necessary for treating uti. If you delay going pee, you will increase the opportunity to develop bacteria and cause infections. If you are getting uti, going pee will be helpful to get rid of harmful bacteria and that is a good chance to recover your condition.
2. Parsley Water
Parsley water is useful in home remedies for uti. This drink is great to relieve uti and it can boost up the process of healing diuretics. The more fluid you have, the more chance you eliminate uti. If you get uti, you should stimulate and increase urine to flush out bacteria and relieve discomfort. Parsley water can balance concentration and increase urine output. The method is to use a cup of water and a cup of parsley. You boil the water with parsley and simmer it for 5 minutes, strain it and drink it hot. You can drink it every day to get the best benefits from it.
3. Home Remedies For Uti Celery Seeds
4. Cucumber
6. Ginger Tea
9. Lemon
12. Amla
When To See A Doctor
If symptoms of the UTI are severe or persist for more than 1 week without improvement, then it is essential to see a doctor. Severe symptoms that are long-lasting can indicate that the UTI is chronic.
In many cases where the UTI is mild or acute, it may pass in just 2-3 days with home remedy treatments.
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Wipe From Front To Back
This one is more about prevention. Because many UTIs develop from the spread of bacteria from the rectum, its important to pay attention to how you wipe both after a bowel movement and after urinating. Always wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria to the urethra, and on to the urinary tract.
How Are Utis In Men Diagnosed
The diagnosis of male UTIs is similar to it is for women. Preliminary diagnosis requires a laboratory examination using the persons urine culture. But because doctors consider urinary tract infection in men as a complicated condition, additional testing is necessary.
After confirming the diagnosis, your doctor may proceed with a special evaluation to study the cause of your UTI. It also involves several tests to determine the amount of urine you can excrete after a single cycle. You will also need to undergo imaging scans to identify signs of bladder infection or other abnormalities in your kidney.
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