Risk Factors For Recurrent Utis Include:
- Frequent sexual intercourse, which increases the likelihood of bacteria entering the urethra and bladder.
- Using spermicide with or without a diaphragm, as this can harm protective bacteria in the urinary tract that defend against infection.
- Vaginal atrophy, which is a postmenopausal condition caused by decreased estrogen levels.
- Genetics, especially the inherited genes that regulate the body’s immune response to infections.
It’s common for some people to have bacteria in their urine but not experience any symptoms. In these cases, no treatment is necessary.
Talk with your health care team if you think you have a UTI. You may need an appointment to discuss your symptoms and collect a urine sample.
You should seek medical attention if you develop a fever, chills, disorientation, or back or side pain. These could be signs of a kidney infection, which requires treatment, or a systemic infection of the bloodstream that requires hospitalization.
Tips To Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection, also called a UTI, is an infection that occurs in the urinary system. This could include the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Most infections involve the bladder and urethra, known as the lower urinary tract.
The most common symptoms include painful urination, tenderness above the bladder area, urgency and frequency of urination. Cloudy and a strong odor are not signs of infection.
Women are at greater risk for a UTI because the urethra is shorter than in men, so it’s easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder. UTIs also are more common in postmenopausal women because low estrogen levels change vaginal and urethral tissue to increase the risk of infection.
It’s always better to prevent an infection rather than simply treat it. UTIs are no different.
Signs And Symptoms Of A Uti
If youve experienced the pain and discomfort of a urinary tract infection, you are probably intimately aware of the symptoms. Many women who experience multiple UTIs over the course of their lives know the early signs of a UTI.
But if youre not sure, knowing the signs and symptoms to look out for will help you catch an infection in the early stages of its development.
The most common symptoms include:
- A frequent need to urinate
- Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen
- Cloudy, dark or foul-smelling urine
- Pink or reddish colored urine signaling blood in the urine
Catching a UTI early increases your chances of avoiding the doctors office and successfully treating it with a natural home remedy.
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Hormone Replacement Therapy As A Uti Treatment
Sometimes, postmenopausal women find vaginal estrogen therapy helpful in preventing bladder infections since the lowered estrogen levels after menopause cause changes to and an overall thinning of the tissues in the urinary tract, making you more susceptible to infection. It appears that estrogen therapy may help strengthen urinary tract tissue and trigger the release of natural antimicrobial proteins found in the bladder.
Did Your Uti Come From A Chicken Coop
Poultry samples with bacteria were found to have same genetic fingerprints as some infected patients’ urine
HealthDay Reporter
MONDAY, Oct. 9, 2017 — Could ingesting undercooked poultry give you a urinary tract infection?
Maybe. Although exactly how it might happen isn’t clear, say researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who investigated a possible foodborne source of these common infections.
Their interest was sparked by earlier Berkeley research suggesting a link between some drug-resistant UTI cases and a certain strain of E. coli bacteria.
E. coli are a type of bacteria that live in the intestines of humans and animals. Most of these bugs are harmless. But some types of E. coli cause infection. In the worst cases, E. coli infection can lead to kidney failure and even death.
Researchers used E. coli from meat products and urine samples from people with UTIs to look for a possible mechanism of transmission.
“When we compared the fingerprints of the E. coli from the poultry and the human UTI cases, we found there’s an overlap of some genotypes,” said study author Dr. Lee Riley, a professor of infectious disease at Berkeley’s School of Public Health.
“We need to somehow explain why UTI cases have the same E. coli we find in poultry,” said Riley.
His hypothesis? Some of the UTI patients are getting infection from meat.
“It’s certainly something that requires additional study,” he added.
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Bacteria On Chicken Turkey Pork Linked To Bladder Infections
Klebsiella pneumoniae Alicia Shams.jpg
Alicia Shams, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researcher, cultures Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria. A study found a link between the bacteria on chicken, turkey and pork and severe infections. But the United States Department of Agriculture does not test for it.
Bacteria that can cause severe infections lurk on meat, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture is not testing for them.
Many strains of the bacteria, Klebsiella pneumoniae, were also found to be antibiotic resistant, a new study shows. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be difficult, even impossible to treat.
“When they become antibiotic resistant and get into the bloodstream, they’re very lethal,” said Lance Price, lead author of the study and a professor at George Washington University.
His study, published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, compared Klebsiella on meat and samples from patients suffering from bladder and other infections. DNA testing showed that about 10 percent of the infections were caused by Klebsiella that were very closely related to those from the food supply, indicating they probably came from the same source such as the farm, Price said.
A USDA spokesman said the agency would work with the Centers and Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate the study.
“This is the first indication that food may be an important source of one of the top clinical pathogens,” he said.
— Lynne Terry
Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Stay hydrated throughout the day. This will make you pee more frequently, which flushes bacteria out of your urinary tract.
Water is the best choice. Aim for 6 to 8 glasses per day. If its hard for you to drink that much water, you can also increase your fluid intake by drinking sparkling water, decaffeinated herbal tea, milk, or smoothies made with fruits and vegetables.
Try to limit or avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which may irritate the bladder.
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Urinate Before And After Sex
Sexual activity increases the chances of getting a UTI, especially if youre a woman. Thats because bacteria can easily get into the urethra during sex.
To reduce your risk, pee immediately before and after sex. The idea is to flush out bacteria that may cause UTIs.
Its also a good idea to gently wash your genital area before sex. This can help keep the area clean and reduce the chance of bacteria spreading to your urethra.
Food Guide To Acidify Urine:
Foods to Avoid Eating:
Vegetables: Potatoes, Lima Beans, Soybeans, Beet Greens, Parsnips, Spinach, Dried vegetables. Three servings saily of any vegetable except those not allowed. Corn, white beans and lentils are good.
Salads: Any fruit or vegetable salad made of foods allowed, served with oil and vinegar dressing.
Meats, Poultry, Fish, Eggs: At least two large servings of any kind, especially chicken, duck, lean beef and eggs.
Carbohydrates: White or brown rice, noodles, macaroni, spaghetti
Nuts: Almonds, Chestnuts
Cereals: One or more servings, dry or cooked, preferably whole grains or enriched
Breads: Four or more sliced preferably whole grain or enriched. Crackers are OK if salt is not a problem.
Daily excessive amounts of milk products including malts and milk shakes. Not more than one pint of milk, and three ounces of cream or cheese, especially cottage cheese, cream cheese gruyere, gorgonzola cheddar or swiss.
Fruits: Cantaloupe, raisins, dates, figs, dried fruits, except prunes, citrus fruits. Two small servings of any fruit except those not allowed. Prunes, plums and cranberries can be eaten freely.
Juices: Citrus fruit juices such as orange, lemon, lime and tomato juice. Prune, plum, cranberry.
Beverages: Flavored sodas, fruit flavored drinks
Desserts: Cake, without fruit, plum tarts, rice custard, bread pudding, cookies, tapioca pudding, custard pies
Others: White sugar, olives, molasses, and coconut, barley
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Home Remedies For Uti
1. Drink Plenty of Fluids
Drinking water or fluids throughout the day helps flush bacteria from your system. A 2013 study conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas found that chronic low fluid intake may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections just one of many reasons to stay hydrated. Drink at least one glass of water for every meal and snack of the day in order to flush out bacteria that can lead to infection.
2. Urinate Often
Urinating often and when the urge arises ensures that bacteria isnt growing in urine that stays in the bladder. Its also important to urinate soon after sexual intercourse in order to flush out bacteria that may have entered the urethra. Studies have found that holding urine for a long time allows bacterial to multiply within the urinary tract, resulting in a urinary tract infection.
3. Stay Clean and Dry
Women should wipe from front to back, especially after a bowel movement. This ensures that bacteria doesnt get into the urethra. Its also important to wear loose-fitting clothes and underwear, which allows air to keep the urethra dry. Wearing tight jeans or material like nylon can be problematic because moisture can be trapped, allowing bacteria to grow.
4. Avoid Using Spermicides
5. Probiotics
6. Cranberry
7. Garlic
8. D-Mannose
9. Vitamin C
10. Clove Oil
11. Myrrh Oil
12. Oregano Oil
Use Diaphragms And Condoms Carefully
For women, the usage of a diaphragm for contraception can lead to the risk of getting bladder infections. The reason is that this diaphragm may push on your bladder and restrict it from emptying completely when urinating.
If you use a diaphragm and get bladder infections again, you might have to change your method of contraception and there are quite many of them you can find. If you choose condoms as your method, you should use ones that dont maintain spermicidal lubricant on. This is because the spermicidal lubricant can lead to an irritation and make the risk of bladder infections easier. So, try to use condoms free of spermicidal lubricant to protect your body from this disease soon.
Bladder infections, even recurring cases, are not actually serious enough to take effects your overall health. And there is also vaccine protecting you against bladder infections. On one day, bladder infections will no longer exist, but home remedies or prescription of doctor are still good for you until then.
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Natural Ways To Prevent And Ease Bladder Infections
As an important part of the urinary tract system, your bladder is responsible for getting rid of liquid waste and toxins from the body. But like most other parts of the body, the bladder is not immune to disease and malfunctioning. It can become infected, develop a disorder of over-activity, and even cancer.
Here we discuss what bladder infections are and how you prevent them and ease their painful symptoms naturally.
Uti Diet: Foods To Avoid And Foods To Eat
Your diet plays an important role in your health, including preventing disease, illness, and infections.
Urinary tract infections cause over 8 million visits to a healthcare providers office annually.
About 10 in 25 women and 3 in 25 men will experience a UTI in their lifetime.
If youve had a UTI, you know how uncomfortable they can be.
If you havent had one yet, you probably want to keep it that way.
How can your diet influence your UTI risk? Well cover that and more in this article.
Keep reading to learn which foods you should avoid, and what foods to include in a UTI diet.
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Nutritional Supplements That Prevent Utis
Supplements are a way to get nutrients that are missing from the diet, including those that prevent UTIs.
Cranberry extractAlthough most of the studies that offer evidence to support the power of cranberry in preventing UTIs have been conducted using cranberry juice, a recent study from Finland suggests that cranberry extract tablets work just as well. Dosage: One 400-mg tablet twice daily.
Probiotics Acidophilus and bifidobacteria are the two main probiotics that can help support a healthy immune system if youre not eating enough yogurt. Theyre sometimes combined in supplements. Dosage: Follow the instructions on the label.
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How Can I Manage Bladder Irritation
You can manage discomfort by avoiding foods you have identified as bladder irritants. But removing foods from your diet doesnt mean you can never have them again. You might be able to enjoy them in moderation . Drinking plenty of water will help reduce pain from any bladder-irritating foods you might ingest, in moderation or accidentally.
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What Foods Should A Dog With A Uti Avoid
Does your dog ask you to go outside more frequently? Is he attempting to relieve himself more often than usual? Chances are, your dog might be suffering from a urinary tract infection or UTI. It can be hard to tell if your dog is in pain because he may not show any signs at all. However, if you see bloody, cloudy, or their urine has a strong smell, your dog may have a UTI.
In today’s article, we will focus our attention on UTIs in dogs, their causes and symptoms, and the ways we can approach UTIs in dogs with a proper diet. Unfortunately, certain everyday dog foods can exacerbate an existent UTI, which is why putting together a list of foods to avoid for dogs with UTIs will be helpful for all dog parents!
Avoiding Chicken To Avoid Bladder Infections
The best way to prevent bladder infections is the same way you best prevent all types of infections, by not getting infected in the first place. Its not in all meat equallybeef and pork appear significantly less likely to harbor bladder-infecting strains than chicken.
What if youre really careful in the kitchen? The effectiveness of hygiene procedures for prevention of cross-contamination from chicken carcasses in the domestic kitchen. They went into five dozen homes, gave them each a chicken and asked them to cook it. I expected to read that they inoculated the carcass with a specific number of bacteria to ensure everyone got a contaminated bird, but no. They realized that fecal contamination of chicken carcasses was so common that they just went to the store and bought any random chicken.
After they were done cooking it, there was bacteria from chicken fecessalmonella, campylobacterboth serious human pathogens, everywere, on the cutting board, utensils, on their hands, on the fridge handle, cupboard, oven handle doorknob. But this was before they cleaned up. What about after cleaning? Still pathogenic fecal bacteria everywhere.
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What Is A Urine Culture Test
Most conventional vets will recommend a bacterial culture test as well. Thats because they want to know which bacterial species is affecting your dog so they can choose the right antibiotic. So, if youre planning to avoid antibiotics and use natural remedies for your dogs UTI, you dont need a urine culture.
Common Bladder Problems And When To Seek Help
Bladder problems can disrupt day-to-day life. When people have bladder problems, they may avoid social settings and have a harder time getting tasks done at home or at work. Common bladder problems include urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention.
Some signs of a bladder problem may include:
- Inability to hold urine or leaking urine
- Needing to urinate more frequently or urgently
- Pain or burning before, during, or after urinating
- Trouble starting or having a weak stream while urinating
- Trouble emptying the bladder
If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your health care provider.
Treatment for bladder problems may include behavioral and lifestyle changes, exercises, medications, surgery, or a combination of these treatments and others. For more information on treatment and management of urinary incontinence, visit Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults.
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Can Utis Be Prevented
While not a cure for UTIs, providing more water for your dog can lessen the chance of this infection from starting. Be sure your dog always has plenty of fresh, clean waterchange the bowl when you see globs of drool or food floating around. Let your dog outside more often if possibledont let him hold it for hours and hours. This can prevent an accident from happening in your home as well! You can also give your dog probiotic supplements to encourage the growth of healthy bacteria. Last, make sure the area around your dogs urinary opening is clean of any debris, scratches, etc. Most pet stores sell antibacterial wipes, which can be used to clean this area.
What Are The Two Urinary Tract Infection Types
Canine UTIs are separated into two categories, each with its own degree of severity and cure:
- Uncomplicated Bacterial Urinary Tract Infections: Uncomplicated UTIs are a common sight amongst the canine population and do not require more than a visit to the veterinarian and specific diet changes for treatment.
- Persistent or Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections: A less frequent form of the disease, a recurrent UTI primarily affects dogs with underlying medical conditions. Other invading microorganisms, such as Enterococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., hide behind this condition. Over time, the bacteria become equipped well enough to resist antibiotics and bypass the immune system’s defense mechanisms. If you believe that your dog is suffering from a recurrent UTI, don’t hesitate to take him to the veterinarian.
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