What Is Urinary Tract Health

Canidae All Life Stages Multi

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)? AMITA Health

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Chicken Meal, 2. Turkey Meal, 3. Lamb Meal, 4. Brown Rice, 5. White Rice

CANIDAE All Life Stages Multi-Protein Formula is my top recommendation for seniors for many reasons. While it is an all life stages formula, it works wonders for seniors who arent active anymore. It can take care of their urinary health while keeping the extra pounds off your pal. It is an extremely digestible dog food with lean proteins and quality fiber. Plus, you get Canidaes own Health PLUS trio of antioxidants, probiotics, and fatty acids. It is a complete health solution that tastes delicious and doesnt require a prescription.

Your dog relies on you to provide it with a healthy diet. As a pet parent, you need to keep your dogs needs in mind when choosing its food, especially when your baby is susceptible to a specific health issue. Now you know the best dog food for urinary health, good luck finding the right one for your dog.

The Top 6 Supplements For Urinary Tract Health

Bladder health is easy to take for granted. That is, until you get a tell-tale pain or discomfort in the pelvis. This kind of pain may mean that you have a urinary tract infection, or UTI. Luckily, UTIs can be treated with antibiotics.

However, especially if you suffer from recurrent UTI, it can be painful, frustrating and disheartening to get infections on a regular basis.

Although antibiotics are the only way to get rid of a UTI once it has started, several different supplements can help to prevent UTIs from happening in the first place. For this reason, we have scoured the internet to find the top 6 best supplements for urinary health.

Treatment For Chronic Uti

If you get three or more UTIs per year, consult your doctor about a care plan. Among the alternatives are:

A reduced antibiotic is given over a prolonged period of time to help avoid recurrent infections.

A solitary antibiotic dosage after intercourse, which is a typical infection cause

Each time symptoms occur, antibiotics should be taken for 1 or 2 days.

Prophylaxis without antibiotic

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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.

What Are Other Possible Causes Of Painful Urination

What Foods Promote a Healthy Urinary Tract?

A painful burning feeling when you urinate is often a sign of a urinary tract infection . However, painful urination can occur even if you dont have an infection. Certain drugs, like some used in cancer chemotherapy, may inflame the bladder. Something pressing against the bladder or a kidney stone stuck near the entrance to the bladder can also cause painful urination.

Painful urination can also be caused by vaginal infection or irritation. You might be sensitive to chemicals in products such as douches, vaginal lubricants, soaps, scented toilet paper, or contraceptive foams or sponges. If it hurts to urinate after youve used these products, youre probably sensitive to them.

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What Are Signs Of Utis In Women

UTIs in the bladder and urethra may cause:

Frequent urge to urinate, but not much urine comes out
Burning, stinging or pain with urination
Heavy feeling in the lower belly
Waking in the night to urinate

Other signs of UTI may include:

Pain or pressure in the lower back or sides
Urine that smells bad or looks dark, cloudy, or red
Tiredness, fever, and chills

Keep Your Cat’s Urinary Issues At Bay

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The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

Many house cats struggle with a variety of conditions that affect their bladder and/or urethra, broadly known as urinary tract health. This can present as difficulty and pain when urinating, increased frequency of urination and/or blood in the urine. Cats may urinate outside the litter box, in corners, a sink, or a bathtub. While these issues can occur at any age, it is often seen in middle-aged, overweight cats that dont get enough exercise.

A cats diet can contribute to urinary pH imbalance or help improve it. Diets can vary in how they support urinary tract health, but its important to look for restricted amounts of minerals, such as magnesium and phosphorus, which can contribute to the development of urinary crystal and stone formation, explains Dr. Danielle Bernal, Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. The crystals cause painful urination and the stones are painful to pass. They may cause urinary tract infections, blockages, or kidney problems.

Below are a few of the best urinary tract health cat foods available today.

Chicken is the first ingredient
Includes digestive support ingredients

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Ways To Avoid Urinary Tract Infections

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water, which increases urination, thereby flushing out bladder bacteria. How much should you drink? Enough to keep your urine looking clear.
Wipe properly. Women should wipe from front to back after using the toilet. Wiping from back to front may increase the risk of getting UTIs.
Use topical estrogen creams. These creams may help postmenopausal women who have vaginal dryness and struggle with recurrent urinary tract infections.
Don’t rely on cranberry juice. The evidence about whether it helps prevent UTIs is mixed. And the juice has lots of sugar and calories.

About Dr Alyssa Dweck:

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Dr. Alyssa Dweck is a practicing OB-GYN in Westchester County, NY. She has been voted Top Doctor in New York Magazine and Westchester County. She is proficient in gynecologic surgery, has expertise in female sexual health and provides gynecologic care to women of all ages. Dr. Dweck has co-authored three books. The newly released The Complete A to Z for Your V: A Women’s Guide to Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Your VaginaHealth, Pleasure, Hormones, and More, tells women of all ages what they need to know about their own unique health as a woman.

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Topic: What Is The Urinary Tract

What Treatments Are Available

Antibiotics are by far the most popular therapy for urinary infections if your doctor believes you require them. Constantly take all of your recommended medications, even if you start to feel better. Drink lots of fluids to aid in the removal of germs from the body. The doctor may also recommend pain relievers for you. You could benefit from a heating pad.

Cranberry juice is frequently touted as a means of preventing or treating UTIs. The tannin in the red berry may inhibit E. coli bacteria, the most frequent cause of urinary tract infections, from adhering to the lining of your bladder, which can lead to infection

If your illness doesnt react to therapy or if you always get infections, your doctor may conduct the right procedure to look for illness or injury in your urinary tract:

Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to produce a picture of the interior organs in this exam. This test is performed on top of your flesh, is harmless, and usually does not require any preparations.

Cystoscopy: This test employs a specific device with a lens and a bright light to see the inside of the bladder through the urethra.

CT scan: A CT scan is yet another imaging exam that is a sort of X-ray that takes dimensions of the organ . This technique is much more accurate than standard X-rays.

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Risk Factors In Women

Urinary tract infections are most common in young to middle-aged sexually active women. Things that increase a woman’s risk of getting UTIs include:

Sexual activity, which pushes bacteria into the urethra. Sexual activity with the use of a diaphragm and spermicide raises the risk.
Pregnancy.
Previous UTIs.
Lack of estrogen, which allows bacteria that can cause UTIs to grow more easily in the vagina or urethra. Women who have gone through menopause are at increased risk for UTIs.

Signs Of A Bladder Problem

Healthy Urinary System Photograph by Sciepro/science Photo ...

Everyones bladder behaves a little bit differently. But certain signs may mean a bladder problem. If you have signs of a bladder problem, talk with your healthcare provider.

Signs of a bladder problem can include:

Inability to hold urine or leaking urine
Needing to urinate eight or more times in one day
Waking up many times at night to urinate
Sudden and urgent need to urinate
Pain or burning before, during, or after urinating
Cloudy or bloody urine
Passing only small amounts of urine after strong urges to urinate
Trouble starting or having a weak stream while urinating
Trouble emptying the bladder

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Drink Plenty Of Fluids To Flush Out Bacteria But Dont Overdo It

Drinking plenty of water six to eight glasses daily can flush bacteria out of your urinary tract and help prevent bladder infections. But many people drink more than that these days, having heard that drinking water frequently is healthy, Dr. Badlani says. If you’re bothered by a constant need to empty your bladder and you’re drinking fluids throughout the day, cut back on your intake. Also, avoid caffeinated sodas and coffee theyll only make you urinate more.

Why Trust The Spruce

This piece was written by Lorraine Wilde who has had at least two cat companions in her home for the past 35 years including some special needs kitties. Two of her cats lived happy and healthily into their early 20s. Her current feline companions have been challenged by digestive and urinary tract health issues. When researching these brands, Lorraine evaluated the type and quality of the ingredients, the companys research and development of the food, and their business ethics.

Because she has only the highest of standards for what she feeds her pets, Lorraine recently switched to Evangers EVx Restricted Diet Urinary Tract and Evanger Organics Turkey and Butternut Squash canned food to help improve her older cats’ health issues. Lorraines family will consider adding the supplement Under the Weather Urinary Support Soft Chews for the benefits imparted by D-mannose.

Dr. Danielle Bernal is a Global Veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food. She holds a Bachelors of Veterinary Science from University of Sydney and is a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the U.K. She has more than 15 years experience in veterinary care, animal nutrition and related communications. She travels across the United States and other countries to educate pet parents on the role that premium, natural nutrition plays in pets health and longevity.

What To Consider In A Cat Food For Urinary Tract Health

Plan to carefully read labels when deciding which brand is right for your cat. First, pet parents should work with their veterinarian on what their cat specifically needs, says Dr. Bernal. A veterinarian will be able to provide the key attributes that the cat parent should look for to support their cats urinary tract health.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

What Your Urine Color Says About Your Health | Urinary System Breakdown | #DeepDives

Do I need any tests, such as urinalysis?
What is the likely cause of my urinary tract infection ?
Do I need medicine? How should I take it?
What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
When should I expect relief from my symptoms?
What symptoms would indicate that my infection is getting worse? What should I do if I experience these symptoms?
I get UTIs a lot. What can I do to prevent them?
Do I need preventive antibiotics? If so, should I be concerned about antibiotic resistance?
My child gets UTIs a lot. Could an anatomical problem be causing his or her UTIs?

How Do I Know If The Treatment Isnt Working

If the treatment isnt working, your symptoms will stay the same, get worse, or you will develop new symptoms. Call your doctor if you have a fever , chills, lower stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. You should also call your doctor if, after taking medicine for 3 days, you still have a burning feeling when you urinate. If you are pregnant, you should also call your doctor if you have any contractions.

Don’t Be Surprised If Your Doctor Doesn’t Rush You Into Treatment

Urinary tract infections can be tricky in older age. They’re not always as easy to spot or treat as in youth. And the decades-long approach to treatment is changing. “We’ve been hasty in using antibiotics, and we’re learning there are significant consequences that can range from side effects of medication to infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria,” says Dr. Helen Chen, a geriatrician at Harvard-affiliated Hebrew Rehabilitation Center.

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Risk Factors In Both Women And Men

Certain risk factors apply to both women and men. These include:

Having a catheter in place. Bacteria can enter the catheter and start an infection. Most at risk are older adults who are in hospitals or who live in long-term care facilities.
Kidney stones and other obstructions in the urinary tract. These may block the flow of urine, raising the risk of bacterial infection.
Diabetes. People with diabetes are at greater risk for UTIs because their immune systems are weakened. Also, long-term high blood sugar can damage the kidneys’ filtering system .
Structural problems of the urinary tract. These may be present at birth or develop later in life.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections

Tips For Keeping Your Urinary System In Tip

Normal urine is sterile and contains fluids, salts, and waste products. It does not contain bacteria, viruses, or fungi. A UTI occurs when germs, most often bacteria from the digestive tract, get into the opening of the urethra and start to multiply.

Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, which normally live in the colon.

Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet W+u Weight Management + Urinary Care

If your veterinarian is adamant that even the best non-prescription dog food for urinary health wont be enough for your dog, at least go with a trusted brand like Blue Buffalo.

This Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Urinary Care wet food is a prescription formula, but it is made with much higher quality ingredients than the leading brand.

It comes in both a dry food and canned food formula, both featuring increased levels of fiber to boost satiety with controlled levels of magnesium and sodium to support urinary health.

This canned food is made with fresh chicken as the main ingredient followed by chicken broth for a boost of moisture and natural flavor.

It contains fresh fruits and vegetables, including cranberries, as well as added vitamins and chelated minerals to ensure complete and balanced nutrition.

Pros: Veterinarian-recommended for urinary health, increased moisture content, fresh chicken as the main ingredient, fresh fruits and veggies for natural nutritional content
Cons: Fairly expensive compared to non-prescription diets, contains plant protein as main ingredient

Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Grain

Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Turkey, 2. Turkey Broth, 3. Turkey Liver, 4. Peas, 5. Pea Protein

Treating urinary issues requires a diet with good hydration and a selection of ingredients thats less burdensome on the kidneys. Instincts Limited Ingredient Real Turkey fulfills those requirements and provides high-quality food that supports and improves your dogs overall health, including their urinary system.

The wet foods low protein content reduces strain on your dogs kidneys, while the high water content helps flush out toxins and minerals. More importantly, the use of cage-free turkey loaf helps provide premium-quality proteins and the dog foods delicious savory flavor can tempt even the pickiest eaters.

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What Is The Urinary Tract

The urinary tract is the bodys drainage system for removing urine, which is made up of wastes and extra fluid. For normal urination to occur, all body parts in the urinary tract need to work together, and in the correct order.

The urinary tract includes two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra.

Kidneys. Two bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located just below your rib cage, one on each side of your spine. Every day, your kidneys filter about 120 to 150 quarts of blood to remove wastes and balance fluids. This process produces about 1 to 2 quarts of urine per day.

Ureters. Thin tubes of muscle that connect your kidneys to your bladder and carry urine to the bladder.

Bladder. A hollow, muscular, balloon-shaped organ that expands as it fills with urine. The bladder sits in your pelvis between your hip bones. A normal bladder acts like a reservoir. It can hold 1.5 to 2 cups of urine. Although you do not control how your kidneys function, you can control when to empty your bladder. Bladder emptying is known as urination.

Urethra. A tube located at the bottom of the bladder that allows urine to exit the body during urination.

The urinary tract includes two sets of muscles that work together as a sphincter, closing off the urethra to keep urine in the bladder between your trips to the bathroom.

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