How To Avoid Or Improve Cystitis
There are many ways to reduce the chances of infection:
- after having sex, empty your bladder as soon as possible to get rid of unwanted bacteria
- donât use perfumed bubble bath, soap, or talcum powder around your genitals
- have a shower, rather than a bath to lessen exposure to chemicals in your cleaning products
- always empty your bladder fully when you go to the toilet
- donât wait to go if you need to urinate delaying it can place extra stress on your bladder and make it more vulnerable to infection.
There is conflicting evidence about whether cranberry juice has any effect on bladder infections.
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Food To Avoid For Kidney Infection:
As we have mentioned earlier that food habits could affect the UTI trouble more dynamically than anything else, thus, it is necessary to avoid some kind of harmful foodstuffs which could act destructively in the curing procedure of kidney infection.
Meat, items with high sugar content, artificial sweeteners, black tea, canned soup, broth powder, carbonated drinks, chocolate, coffee or any kind of caffeinated beverage, tomatoes, vinegar, table salt, pickles, chips, crackers, pretzels, cheese popcorn, citric fruits, black tea, high sodium snacks, and Chinese food.
Avoid Alcohol And Coffee
The kidneys most important role is to filter out harmful substances and toxins, and both alcohol and caffeine can require extra work from the kidneys. This may hinder the process of healing from an infection. Alcohol and antibiotics also shouldnt be mixed, so avoid alcohol during your treatment for this reason as well.
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What If The Infection Does Not Clear Up With Treatment
Most infections clear up with treatment. However, if an infection does not clear up, or if you have repeated infections, you may be given some special tests such as:
-
a type of x-ray called an intravenous pyleogram , which involves injecting a dye into a vein and taking pictures of your kidney and bladder
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an ultrasound exam, which gives a picture of your kidneys and bladder using sound waves
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a cytoscopic exam, which uses a hollow tube with special lenses to look inside the bladder.
Causes Of A Urinary Tract Infection
A UTI is caused by bacteria getting in through the urethra , causing inflammation and infection. The bacteria also may travel up the ureters and infect the kidneys.
More than 90 percent of cystitis cases are caused by E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the bowel and around the anus.
This can happen several different ways:
- Sexual intercourse may carry bacteria into the urethra.
- Inserting or changing a urinary catheter can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract.
- Urine retention can make a UTI more likely. When the bladder isnt fully emptied, the remaining urine is a breeding ground for bacteria.
- The onset of menopause causes a thinning of the lining in the urethra, leaving it more vulnerable to bacteria penetration. Menopause also reduces vaginal mucus which serves as a barrier to bacteria.
- Diaphragms: Women who use diaphragms have a higher risk for cystitis as compared to different types of birth control.
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Try Drinking Some Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
While the research is a bit unclear, cranberries have been used as a prevention of UTI for generations. Studies have shown that cranberries actually make it harder for the bacteria that cause UTIs to stick to the urinary tract walls. So, while not really a remedy, if you frequently get UTIs, it might be worth drinking a couple of glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice, or snacking on the actual fruit .
Home Remedies For Bladder Infection Blueberries
Blueberry that has bacteria-inhibiting properties can help in treating the bladder infection.
In addition, blueberries have also the antioxidants that are beneficial for the immune system. They also prevent the growth of bacteria, which causes bladder infection.
Way 1:
- You should have some fresh blueberries for your breakfast or add them to your favorite cereal.
Way 2:
- You make the fresh blueberry juice and drink it every day, especially at night and in the morning for quick results. You should remember that the juice is not mixed with any artificial sweetener.
You should add the juice or fresh blueberries in your daily diet, which is also a great way to prevent bladder infection.
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Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Improved Renal Function
Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, which has antibacterial properties that can help in treating kidney infections that are particularly caused by E. coli. Plus, it can help balance the pH levels in the body and prevent the infection from spreading.
Caution:
When To See A Doctor For Your Uti
If your symptoms persist beyond a few days with no sign of improvement, or if your infection keeps recurring, its best to see a doctor. While many home remedies may ease symptoms if they persist your doctor will be able to determine the cause and prescribe a course of antibiotics that should help take care of your UTI right away and prevent it from leading to a worsening condition or infection.
Have you tried any of the above natural remedies for UTIs, or other home treatments to treat your urinary tract infection? Tell us about them in the comments below!
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Diagnosing Cystitis And Urinary Tract Infections
First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms. They may also complete urinalysis to determine your diagnosis. This test will look for:
- PH balance this represents if the urine is acidic or alkaline
- Glucosesugar levels should remain low in urine output
- Nitrites a specific bacteria that causes UTIs
- Protein similar to sugar, proteins are not typically found in urine output
Change Menstrual Pads Tampons Or Cups Frequently
Low-absorbency pads made of synthetic materials can expose your vulva to bacteria and increase your risk of infection. Using tampons can encourage bacteria to develop faster, so its important to change your tampon regularly. Tampons and menstrual cups may increase your risk of getting or worsening a UTI if its not positioned correctly. If it pushes on your urethra and traps your urine, bacteria can spread to the bladder. Changing the size or shape of a menstrual cup may help prevent recurrent UTIs.
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Diagnosing And Treating Pyelonephritis
To properly diagnose kidney infection, your doctor will look at your medical history, conduct a physical examination, complete a urinalysis, observe urine cultures and blood cultures, complete a computed tomography scan to obtain detailed images of the kidneys and bladder, and complete a kidney ultrasound to detect any stones or other obstructions.
Pyelonephritis is often treated with antibiotics, and hospitalization is rarely required. If the patient is vomiting, then hospitalization will be required so that antibiotics can be administered intravenously.
What Are Potential Complications Of A Bladder Infection
Complications of a bladder infection can occur without appropriate diagnosis or treatment. An untreated or poorly treated bladder infection can ascend the urinary system and lead to kidney infection and enter the bloodstream, leading to , which can be life-threatening. In children, particularly, kidney infections can cause permanent damage to the kidney. In pregnant women, complications of bladder infections include an increased risk of delivering low birth weight or premature infants. Urethral narrowing in men from recurrent urethral infections can occur, more commonly with sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea.
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Kidney Infection: Prevention And Treatment
The urinary tract is made up of a pair of kidneys, which make urine by filtering the waste products from the blood. Thin tubes known as ureters stem from each kidney and drain the urine into the bladder, which stores the urine until it is excreted out of the body through another tube called a urethra.
Often times, infection-causing bacteria find their way into the urinary tract through the genitals, moving upstream from the urethra to the bladder and traveling up the ureters to infect the kidneys.
At its nascent stages when the infection is restricted to the bladder, the condition is referred to as cystitis. This is a relatively common urinary tract infection and is not associated with any serious damage apart from making urination quite painful and discomforting.
However, if not treated properly, cystitis can progress into a more serious condition as the bacteria multiply and migrate further to infect one or both the kidneys. Although such a kidney infection is relatively easy to cure if caught early, delayed or negligent treatment can cause the bacteria to spread to your bloodstream and cause life-threatening complications. Moreover, the risk of permanent kidney damage also increases.
Some kidney infections can develop without a bladder infection and are due to a problem within the kidney itself. As an example, people with kidney stones or an abnormality of the kidney are more susceptible to kidney infections.
Note:
Contents
What Bacteria Causes Kidney Infections
The most common bacterium that causes urinary tract infections is Escherichia coli, which you might know better as simply E. coli. Responsible for about 90 percent of all uncomplicated urinary tract infections, E. coli can be found in the colons of humans and animals and in their fecal waste. Bacteria can develop in the urinary tract through the urethra and move into the kidneys, which may lead to kidney infections.
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How Will I Know If I Have A Kidney Infection
To find out if you have a kidney infection, doctors may do tests such as:
- Urine tests to look for bacteria or other signs of infection, such as white blood cells, in your urine
- Blood tests
- Imaging tests to look at your kidneys, such as an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan
- Rectal exam for men, where the doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus to see if the prostate gland is enlarged and blocks the flow of urine
Can Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Treat Utis
Studies, such as one published in January 2018 in Scientific Reports, have shown that apple cider vinegar has some antibacterial and antifungal properties, but theres no scientific or medical evidence that drinking apple cider vinegar cures UTIs. Drinking large amounts of apple cider vinegar could lead to throat irritation and tooth decay.
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Oh My Aching Bladder: Is It A Uti Or Ic
OH MY ACHING BLADDER: IS IT A UTI OR IC?
One in five women will have at least one urinary tract infection in her lifetime, according to the National Kidney Foundation. And, if youve ever had a urinary tract infection, you are all too familiar with the burning urination and constant feeling of needing to go to the bathroom. But, did you know that some of the symptoms of a UTI are similar or the same as symptoms women experience when they have interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome? How is a woman to know if its a UTI or painful bladder syndrome?
What is a Urinary Tract Infection ?
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract, most commonly affecting the bladder and the urethra . When bacteria gets into the urethra and travels to the bladder, a UTI is often the result. With a UTI, the bladder lining also becomes red, swollen and inflamed.
Common symptoms of a UTI include:
- Urinary urgency or the feeling that you need to urinate often. You may have to run to the bathroom several times per hour only to find you urinate only a few drops.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Abdominal pain, pelvic pressure and/or lower back pain. You may experience lower abdominal discomfort, bloating and/or feel pressure in the lower pelvic area, especially when urinating.
- Blood in the urine. Urine can appear to have a reddish or dark orange tiny, which signifies blood in the urine from the infection.
- Cloudy urine that has an odor
- Fever and/or chills
Treating IC
For Urinary Tract Infections
Since three of the most common causes of kidney discomfort occur in the urinary tract, here are some remedies to relieve pain in the kidneys related to the urinary tract:
1. Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to relieving pain in the kidneys since water will help flush bacteria out of the body. Plus, staying hydrated will help clear out the urinary tract as a whole and work to eliminate any possible infections.
Many specialists recommend the 8×8 rule, meaning you should drink eight 8 oz. glasses of water a day. However, water intake is highly dependant on you and your health, so take this article into consideration when determining your daily amount of water intake.
2. Drink Cranberry Juice
While not scientifically proven, cranberry juice is known to be a remedy for urinary tract infections. If you choose to alternate between cranberry juice and water, be sure to choose a cranberry juice that isnt packed full of additional sweeteners. A cranberry supplement or pure cranberry juice is always the best way to go!
3. Take Probiotics
Its no secret that probiotics are beneficial for you, especially when it comes to fighting bacteria and kidney pain. Studies show that probiotics can improve kidney function and assist in processing waste too.
4. Drink Parsley Juice
You can also mix parsley into a smoothie to make drinking it more bearable. Check out these recipes for inspiration!
5. Take a Warm Epsom Salt Bath
6. Apply Heat
7. Use Non-Aspirin Pain Killers
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When To See Your Doctor For Your Kidney Stones
If you think you have a kidney stone, its important to see your doctor. If youre in immense pain, have uncontrollable nausea or vomiting, a fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit , difficulties urinating or are passing thick bright red or clot-filled urine, head to the emergency room.
For nonurgent stone matters, talking to your doctor or a surgeon who specializes in treating and preventing stones like a urologist or nephrologist can help get you on the path to treatment and prevention.
The discussion on prevention often begins with conducting a 24-hour urine analysis.
A 24-hour urine analysis gives us specifics about your risk factors, explains Loboda. We can determine what could be in the diet that can be increasing the risk for stones or causing them to form. It really enables us to come up with an individualized plan for prevention.
Its important to note that most people who have a kidney stone have a high chance of developing them again.
If you dont start focusing on prevention early on, stones can grow and turn from a very small problem into a potentially large problem, cautions Loboda.
Best Remedies For Bladder Infections
About bladder infections
Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infection . They can develop when bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder.
The urethra is the tube that takes urine out of the body. Once bacteria go into the urethra, they can attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly.
The resulting infection can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as the sudden urge to urinate. It may also cause pain while urinating and abdominal cramping.
A combination of medical and home treatments may ease these symptoms. If left untreated, bladder infections can become life-threatening. This is because the infection can spread to the kidneys or blood.
Here are seven effective bladder infection remedies.
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When To See A Doctor For A Uti
Always go to your primary care physician immediately if there is blood in the urine, if you have a fever, and/or low back pain with your UTI symptoms, Sajdak advises. UTIs can move fast, so its better to go sooner than later.
Although natural remedies can be beneficial for alleviating UTI symptoms and preventing recurrent UTIs, they may not be effective in treating the infection.
If symptoms still persist after three days then it is time to move on to antibiotics, says Ivy Branin, ND, a naturopathic doctor in New York City who specializes in womens health. I often recommend a patient to see their doctor for a UA and a prescription for antibiotics just in case and to fill it if they have no improvement after three days.
Leaving a UTI untreated can cause additional health problems. Bacteria can reach the ureters or kidneys and cause kidney infections. Untreated UTIs during pregnancy can also potentially cause early labor and low birth weight. Seeking treatment for UTI that isnt going awayor one that keeps coming backis always a good thing.
Are Home Remedies Effective For A Bladder Infection
People have used cranberry products to prevent bladder infections. Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent bacteria from sticking on the walls of the bladder. A Cochrane Database systematic review of cranberries for preventing UTIs in 2012 concluded that the evidence for cranberry products, particularly cranberry juice, over the long term is small and that cranberry juice could not be recommended at that time for the prevention of UTIs. Further studies need to evaluate other cranberry preparations.
Probiotics are preparations that contain live bacteria, for example, lactobacillus, that can prevent other bacteria from growing and moving up from the bladder to the kidney. The probiotic decreases the ability of the infecting bacteria from sticking to the bladder and growing and may also affect the ability of the individuals own body to fight off bacteria. A Cochrane Database review in 2015 demonstrated no significant difference in the risks of recurrent UTIs for probiotics compared with placebo or antibiotic prophylaxis in either women or children, however, there were a limited number of good-quality studies.
Adhering to the prescribed antibiotic regimen and staying well hydrated are essential components of home remedies for bladder infection.
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