Causes Of Bladder Infection
When the bacteria attack the urinary tract, it results in a bladder infection. Women get affected by a bladder infection also due to the short length of their urethra. In men, it is mostly caused due to sexual intercourse with an infected female. The use of contraceptive diaphragms or spermicidal agents is also a reason for bladder infection. Other causes are:
- A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen.
How Do Health Care Professionals Diagnose A Bladder Infection
A urinalysis is the initial evaluation for a bladder infection. In most cases, health care professionals use a voided urine specimen, however, there is a risk of contamination by skin bacteria. A “clean-catch” voided urine specimen involves voiding and collecting a urine sample “mid-stream” as opposed to at the very start or end of voiding. A catheterized urine sample is more accurate but has the risk of introducing bacteria into the bladder and may be uncomfortable in children. In infants, medical professionals can perform a suprapubic aspiration.
A quick office-based urinalysis, called a urine dipstick, is unable to detect if bacteria are present. However, health care professionals use it to detect the presence of nitrite in the urine and leukocyte esterase. Nitrite is a chemical that forms when bacteria in the urine break down a chemical called nitrate, which is normally present in the urine. The nitrite test is not positive for all bacterial infections of the bladder, as not all bacteria can break down nitrate to nitrite. Besides, the urine dipstick is unable to determine the number of white blood cells present in the urine but assesses whether or not white blood cells are present by measuring leukocyte esterase activity. Leukocyte esterase is a chemical produced by white blood cells. The presence of both nitrites and an elevated leukocyte esterase are very suggestive of a urinary tract infection.
- cephalosporins, and
- fluoroquinolones.
Drink Plenty Of Fluid
Dehydration is one of the risks associated with urinary tract infection. This is because constant and regular urination can help flush out bacteria from the urinary tract to keep infection out of the body. Therefore, to meet your fluid needs and stay hydrated, its best to drink water for the rest of the day and anytime you are thirsty. Being hydrated also dilutes the bacterial content of the urine and speeds up its journey through the body system, making it hard for bacteria to get to the cells lining the urinary organs.
There is no specific or general recommendation for how much water people should drink daily because each persons water needs are peculiar. However, on average, an adult should consume at least 6 to 8 ounces of water each day.
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Urinary Tract Infection In Children
Overview of urinary tract infection in children
A urinary tract infection in children is a fairly common condition. Bacteria that enter the urethra are usually flushed out through urination. However, when bacteria arent expelled out of the urethra, they may grow within the urinary tract. This causes an infection.
The urinary tract consists of the parts of the body that are involved in urine production. They are:
- two kidneys that filter your blood and extra water to produce urine
- two ureters, or tubes, that take urine to your bladder from your kidneys
- a bladder that stores your urine until its removed from your body
- a urethra, or tube, that empties urine from your bladder to outside your body
Your child can develop a UTI when bacteria enter the urinary tract and travel up the urethra and into the body. The two types of UTIs most likely to affect children are bladder infections and kidney infections.
When a UTI affects the bladder, its called cystitis. When the infection travels from the bladder to the kidneys, its called pyelonephritis. Both can be successfully treated with antibiotics, but a kidney infection can lead to more serious health complications if left untreated.
Home Remedies For Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
Written by Lee Warren on February 19, 2013. Posted in Health, Herbs, Women.
The urethral opening on womens bodies in right in the middle of all the juicy business that happens during sex. According to Sheri Winston in her book, Womens Anatomy of Arousal, the more aroused we are, the more the erectile tissue around the urethra expands, thus closing up the urethral opening and protecting it from bacteria entering.
Nonetheless, many of us still struggle with bacteria entering the urethra which can lead to infection. And for many of us, getting off the cycle of antibiotics as a solution is a priority. I try my best to avoid taking prescription anti-biotics. It seems to me that it makes things worse over time by throwing off my bacteria balance . I also have the sense that it makes my body even more inclined towards future infections. I worry about the degradation of my good bacteria through the overuse of antibiotics as well as the reliance on an outside treatment rather than encouraging my body to figure out how to overcome this recurring problem.
Unfortunately so many women feel so anxious by the whole process, in part because theres so little information available about DIY or at home treatment protocols. Additionally, I believe that many male doctors dont understand the ongoing suffering and dont know how to offer empowering alternatives.
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Do You Need To See A Doctor To Get Antibiotics For A Uti
You need to speak with your doctor or a licensed medical professional to be prescribed antibiotics for a UTI. This can usually be done in person, at the doctor, or over the phone.
If this is your first UTI or your symptoms are severe, it may be helpful to get treated in person. You may also want to consider an in-person visit with your healthcare professional to rule out sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.
Remedies For Bladder Infections
If you think you have a bladder infection, you should contact your doctor and schedule an outpatient appointment. Youâll need medication to get rid of the bacterial infection. That said, there are home remedies you can also use to help ease symptoms and help with the healing process. Here are five remedies and treatments for bladder infections that you can use:
1. See your doctor for an antibiotic
If youâre diagnosed with a bladder infection, your doctor will likely prescribe an oral antibiotic. Antibiotics work by getting rid of the bacteria that is causing your bladder infection. Research has shown that antibiotics are effective and perform better than a placebo.
You need to complete the full course of the prescribed antibiotic, even when you start to feel better. If you stop the antibiotic before completing the prescription, you risk getting another infection. In an uncomplicated or simple bladder infection, youâll typically notice an improvement in your symptoms within a day or two of starting the antibiotic. Your doctor may select an antibiotic treatment course that will last three to five days. In complicated bladder infections, the course is longer, typically seven to fourteen days.
2. Drink more water
When caring for a bladder infection, itâs critical to drink lots of fluids to help flush the bacteria out of your bladder. The additional fluids also help dilute your urine, which can make urinating less painful while youâre healing from the infection.
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Herbal Remedies For Uti: Anti
Cranberry is a well-known treatment for UTIs because it blocks bacteria from sticking to the mucous membranes of the bladder and starting a UTI.
The key ingredients are proanthocyanidins , which have a long track record of treating E. coli . Cranberry can be useful at preventing UTIs or treating them when you just start getting symptoms, but it doesnt work as well for a full blown and symptomatic UTI.
Unfortunately, recentstudies are questioning how effective cranberry is for UTIs.
The jury is out, but as long as you are not drinking sweetened cranberry juice or juice cocktails, it almost certainly does not hurt.
It is noteworthy that you must drink a lot of cranberry juice to have an effect.
Therefore, it is often more feasible to take pills, which allows you to know exactly how much of the active ingredient you are getting. You should take either 1000 mg three times a day or at least 36 PACs daily.
Cranberry also acidifies the urine, which prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall, but this is only a short-term effect.
Did you know that Blueberries and evergreen huckleberry work like cranberry? These make a nice alternative if you are a bit tired of cranberries!
Urinary Tract Infection Antibiotics
Some of the common antibiotics your doctor may prescribe to treat a UTI include:
In certain instances, your doctor may prescribe a less common antibiotic. If you have allergies to certain antibiotics, for example, or your UTI is more severe, you may receive a prescription for a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. These include Cipro and Levaquin .
A typical course of antibiotics for a mild UTI lasts several days. If you’re otherwise feeling fine besides your UTI, your physician may suggest a shortened course of drugs, maybe 1-3 days. Follow your doctors direction, though. Stopping an antibiotic too soon could enable your infection to return.
If you are getting frequent, recurring infections, your doctor might suggest a low dose antibiotic regimen over the course of several months.
It’s important to note that an estimated 22% of women receiving antibiotic treatment for a UTI develop candida overgrowth soon after. If you have to take antibiotics, be sure to accompany them with a course of probiotics to help to keep candida at bay.
Symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain in your low back or side is a sign that its time to talk to your provider and start that antibiotic. Your microbiome can heal, but your kidneys cant if an infection is left untreated.
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Use Essential Oils With Caution
Oregano essential oil is well known for its strong antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that oregano oil can be very effective at killing E.coli, but it should be noted these studies are generally done in vitro meaning in a lab using scientific techniques, not performed in humans with infections.. Lemongrass oil and Clove oil may also be a home remedy for UTIs because of their antimicrobial properties, but both have been studied against harmful bacteria in similar experiments as Oregano oil.
Its important to take care before using essential oils as a treatment. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy advises against ingesting these oils. Instead, essential oils may be safely used topically with a carrier oil or inhaled from a diffuser.
/8how Prevalent Is Uti In Women
Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections that occurs in women. It is said to account for nearly 25% of all infections. Reports claim around 5060% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime.
While UTI is not a life-threatening condition, severe infection can cause a wide range of discomforting symptoms, including a strong persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation while urinating, cloudy and strong-smelling urine and abdominal pain.
In most cases, doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat the condition. Antibiotics are medicines that inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
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Things You Can Do Yourself
To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :
- takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
- rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
- avoid having sex
Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.
Why Are Females At A Higher Risk For Utis
People with female reproductive organs are at a higher risk for UTIs because of their anatomy. The female urethra, the tube which empties urine from your bladder out of your body, is shorter than someone born with male anatomy.
The female urethra is also quite close to female reproductive organs. That means bacteria from sexual intercourse as well as products like spermicide can be in close contact with the urethra and bladder.
Females also experience menopause and pregnancy. These two biological events change the bacteria in your reproductive and digestive tracts and create conditions that make UTIs more likely.
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External Protocols & Topical Applications
Most people dont think to treat a UTI on the outside. But from my perspective thats the best place to treat it. Thats where it begins and thats where I try to nip it in the bud. I believe this is the most important approach to preventing a UTI.
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Home Remedies for a Cat UTI Rather than attacking the problem with antibiotics, which can lead to undesirable side effects, there are several natural home remedies for a cat UTI that are effective at treating the infection. Juniper berry works very well when it comes to severe urinary tract infections. Its an herb known for increasing the.
A urinary tract infection is an infection in your urinarytract. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , or Staphylococcus saprophyticus . Your urinarytract includes your bladder, kidneys, ureter , and urethra (the tube that removes urine ….
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UrinaryTractinfections are usually treated with antibiotics. Prompt treatment is important to prevent a kidney infection. Depending on the antibiotic, the course may be taken for three to ten days and the whole course should be taken, even if you feel better before then. Symptoms usually start to improve within 24 to 48 hours with.
A urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of your urinary system your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract the bladder and the urethra. … Bladder infection symptoms most often go away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may.
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Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Dehydration is linked to an increased risk of UTIs.
This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When youre dehydrated, you arent urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
A examined nursing home residents and administered a drinking schedule to participants to increase their fluid intake. Following the schedule decreased UTIs requiring antibiotics by 56%.
In a 2020 randomized control trial , 140 premenopausal participants prone to UTIs took part in a 12-month study to test if a higher fluid intake would decrease their risk of recurrent cystitis and, in turn, their risk of developing a UTI. Researchers found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency.
To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, its best to drink water throughout the day and always when youre thirsty.
Benefits of drinking more fluids for UTI
Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease your risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from your urinary tract.
evidence suggests that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against UTIs.
Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection.
An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 milligrams of vitamin C every day.
Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.
Get Your Fill Of Water And Water
One of the first things to do when you have a urinary tract infection is drink plenty of water. Thats because drinking water can help flush away the bacteria that’s causing your infection, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . It puts you on the right track for recovery.
Most people can be assured theyre getting the water they need by simply drinking water when thirsty, according to the health and medicine division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. But to be safe, you may want to make sure youre drinking at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. General recommendations have suggested that women get about 91 oz of water daily and men get about 125 oz each day, including water from food, as also noted in that group’s report.
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