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.
How Should This Medicine Be Used
Phenazopyridine comes as a tablet or capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times a day after meals. Do not chew or crush the tablets as it may cause your teeth to become stained swallow them whole with a full glass of water. You may stop taking this drug when pain and discomfort completely disappear. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take phenazopyridine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
How To Treat Urinary Tract Infection At Home
Here are 20 effective and natural remedies for a bladder infection that are inexpensive, harmless, and easy to use at home.
1. Drink Plenty of Water: Water is a great cleansing agent and helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria in the form of diluted urine. So, drink lots of water for quick relief from a bladder infection.
2. Baking Soda: You just need to mix a spoonful of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it. Repeat this remedy daily till the symptoms subside completely.
3. Cranberry Juice: Cranberry juice is an effective home remedy to stop bladder infections in pregnant women. Cranberry contains enzymes, which are really beneficial in treating a bladder infection. Therefore, drinking cranberry juice will let you get rid of a bladder infection quickly.
Note: Avoid intake of cranberry juice if you or any family member of yours has a history of kidney stones, or if you are taking medicines for thinning the blood.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar: Soak in water, containing apple cider vinegar. It will greatly reduce the burning sensation that is caused while urinating due to a bladder infection.
5. Yoghurt: Eating yogurt is also beneficial as it contains acidophilus, which helps in curing bladder infection.
6. Heating Pad: In order to ease out the pain, caused due to a bladder infection, use a heating pad over the abdominal area.
9. Drumstick Flowers: Mix a teaspoon of juice of drumstick flowers in ½ glass of coconut water. Drink it at least 2 times a day.
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Top 23 Best Natural Home Remedies For Bladder Infection Pain & Other Symptoms
1. Water
Water plays an important part in the natural activity of our kidney. If your kidney acts normally, your bladder will be easy to take out all the urine. Therefore, if you do not provide enough water for your body, you will not have enough water for the usual activities of your body. According to the advice of many doctors, it is good for you to drink at least one and a half liter of water a day. One study also found that drinking plenty of water helps to reduce the risk of frequent UTIs in those who are prone to getting them. You could drink not only pure water but also the juice from various kinds of fruits, although do watch high sugar content. It is also better for you to avoid harmful drinks such as alcohol, coffee, or soft drinks. These types of drinks contain a large number of carbohydrates, and diuretic compounds that stress the kidney.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice may be another effective remedy in the list of top 23 best home remedies for bladder infection presented here. Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C, which is very helpful in treating bladder infection and making you healthy. Citrate, an alkaline compound of this fruit may be effective in treating UTIs and prevents the risk of kidney stones.
What Is Bladder Pain
Bladder pain is a common condition, primarily in women, that can be attributed to a few different factors. These can include a urinary tract infection, Bladder stones, Crohns Disease or even bladder cancer.
But by far the most common cause of bladder pain is a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis , or as it is sometimes referred to, Painful Bladder Syndrome . It occurs when your bladder becomes inflamed or irritated and is likely to be at its most painful with a full bladder.
Until recently, Painful Bladder Syndrome had been hard to diagnose. For that reason, the number of people suffering the condition have been unclear, although estimates suggest it could be more than 60,000 Australians . PBS can also, to a lesser extent, affect men and children.
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If You Have A Different Condition
Conditions that affect the bladder or prostate can also lead to other urinary symptoms, such as painful urination or blood in the urine. Pelvic floor dysfunction can cause painful urination too.
Both early and late stages of ovarian cancer can cause urinary urgency.
People with diabetes may find that their urine looks cloudy or smells sweet.
In diabetes insipidus, the urine is typically clear and odorless.
A doctor will perform tests to determine whats causing you to urinate frequently. Theyll ask you some questions, such as:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- What other symptoms are you experiencing?
- Do you have any unexpected leaking of urine? If so, in what situations?
Theyll most likely ask you for a urine sample to check for:
Your doctor will also conduct an exam of your abdomen. They will likely perform other physical exams, such as:
Other tests that can be useful include:
- Bladder scan. This is an ultrasound done on your bladder after youve urinated to see how much urine is left behind.
- Cystoscopy. Using a lighted instrument, the doctor can take a closer look inside the bladder as well as take tissue samples if necessary. Learn more about cytoscopy.
- Additional urinary testing. This involves a variety of tests that look to see how well your urinary system is working. Examples include urodynamic testing and uroflowmetry.
If a bacterial infection is at fault, theyll prescribe antibiotics to get rid of it.
Natural Remedies For Bladder Pain
Bladder infections or bladder conditions are rarely serious, but they should be properly diagnosed and treated. The diagnosis for urinary problems is often made from urinary test findings and symptoms.
Infected urine will be examined with a microscope to determine high levels of bacteria and white blood cells. The test will help determine the type and quantity of the bacteria. The most common type associated with a painful bladder is Escherichia coli .
Natural bladder pain treatments are considered the best approach, and there are several natural remedies for bladder pain:
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Differences In Males And Females
Males and females can both experience pain when urinating, and the causes may be anatomy-dependent.
For example, females have shorter urethras than males. As a result, bacteria can often enter the bladder more easily, which can lead to UTIs.
A person can talk to their doctor about their risks for painful urination based on their sex as well as their medical history.
How Is Bladder Pain Syndrome Diagnosed
There is no one test to tell whether you have bladder pain syndrome. Your doctor or nurse will do a physical exam to look at your lower abdomen and lower back and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may give you tests to rule out other health problems, such as urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections , bladder cancer, or kidney stones.
Some tests your doctor may do include:
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Should I Limit The Amount Of Fluids I Drink
No. Many people with bladder pain syndrome think they should drink less to relieve pain and reduce the number of times they go to the bathroom. But you need fluids, especially water, for good health. Getting enough fluids helps keep your kidneys and bladder healthy, prevent urinary tract infections, and prevent constipation, which may make your symptoms worse.9
Practice These Healthy Habits
Preventing urinary tract infections starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.
First, its important not to hold urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection .
Peeing after sexual intercourse can also reduce the risk of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria .
Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs .
Finally, when you use the toilet, make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria to spread to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs .
SUMMARY
Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Spermicide use and wiping from back to front may increase the risk of UTI.
Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.
Here are a few supplements that have been studied:
- D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests its effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence (
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Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can also help you strengthen and stretch your pelvic floor muscles, because performing the wrong exercises can actually worsen your interstitial cystitis symptoms. When you overstimulate an already tense pelvic muscle, this can lead to more tension and aggravate bladder symptoms.
A study published in the Journal of Urology in 2001 found that pelvic floor manual therapy reduced pelvic pressure and the urge and frequency of urination in interstitial cystitis patients.
Another study published in the Journal of Urology, in 2012, found that 10 myofascial physical therapy treatment sessions significantly reduced pain, urgency, and frequency of urination in 59% of women with interstitial cystitis.
Myofasical release is a technique used by physical therapists to alleviate pain in the myofascial tissues along the pelvic floor.
Ask your doctor to recommend a physical therapist that specializes in pelvic floor problems like interstitial cystitis. In addition, the physical therapist can teach you how to stretch your pelvic floor muscles and keep them relaxed.
You can also reduce urine urgency and improve bladder control at home with pelvic floor exercises called Kegels. Before you perform this exercise, you must find your Kegel muscles, which stop urine flow during urination.
Can Utis Be Treated Without Antibiotics
In general, its recommended that you see a doctor and be treated with antibiotics when you start feeling UTI symptoms. In some cases, your body might be able to fight it off without antibiotics, but that can be a very uncomfortable, time-consuming process. It can also become dangerous if it turns into a kidney infection.
Dr. Rx
Since the standard treatment for UTIs are antibiotics, let the doctor know if you have any allergies to medications. Dr. Chandrapal
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What Is Frequent Urination
Frequent urination is the need to urinate more than you normally would. The urge can strike suddenly and cause you to lose control of your bladder. It can feel uncomfortable, like your bladder is extremely full.
Frequent urination is the primary symptom of the condition overactive bladder , and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Urinary tract infections are another common cause of frequent urination.
According to the Urology Care Foundation, frequent urination is when you need to go at least 8 times in a 24-hour period.
The key to treating frequent urination is addressing the underlying cause.
Infection In The Bladder Can Cause Pain While Urinating And Abdominal Cramping Here Are Some Effective Natural Remedies To Treat The Infection And Ease Bladder Pain
Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : September 18, 2020 9:38 AM IST
The urinary bladder, or simply bladder, is a hollow organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine from the kidneys before disposal through the urethra. Did you that a human bladder can hold between 300 and 500 ml of urine before the urge to empty occurs? But donât make it a habit to hold your pee in regularly. Over time, it can weaken the bladder muscles and lead to problems such as incontinence, urinary tract infections as well as increase your risk of kidney disease. Holding in pee for too long can expose your body to potentially harmful bacteria that can multiply and lead to bladder infections.
Infection in the bladder can cause pain while urinating and abdominal cramping as well as a sudden urge to urinate. Bladder pain may also result from interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer. Therefore, it is always a good idea to see a doctor, who will help identify the actual cause of your bladder pain. If it is caused by a bladder infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a few days to treat the infection and pain relievers to ease abdominal cramps. At the same time, you can also try some natural remedies to flush bacteria out of your urinary tract. Here are some effective home remedies to treat the infection and ease bladder pain:
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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!
Urgency Or Difficulty Urinating
A bladder disorder can make it difficult to fully empty your bladder. This can cause frequent urination, feeling like you always have to urinate, or both.
When the bladder wall thickens, the bladder may not be able to hold as much urine as it normally does. This can create those urgent feelings of having to urinate more frequently. BOO can also make it harder to urinate.
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How Lemonaid Can Help You Get Uti Treatment Asap
Lemonaids UTI service makes it quick and convenient for you to get antibiotics to treat your UTIso convenient that you dont even have to go to a doctors office!
Instead, you can have an online visit with one of our US-based, US-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners via LemonaidHealth.com
If they determine that you have a UTI, they will prescribe you the antibiotic nitrofurantoin , trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole , or cephalexin
You can use Lemonaids convenient mobile UTI service as long as you are of female birth sex, 18 years or older, and have not reached menopause yet.
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What Is Bladder Inflammation
Inflammation is a process where tissues become swollen, reddened, warm, and tender. It results from the activation of the immune system, usually against a microbe or another pathogen. In some cases, no infection is seen. Instead, the tissue becomes infected due to an auto-immune process.
Bladder inflammation features swelling of the bladder with the characteristics mentioned above. It is usually due to an infectious process called cystitis.
However, similar symptoms may show up if you have kidney disease, kidney stones, or bladder spasms. Bladder cancer also causes significant inflammation, and prostatitis may also affect the bladder and trigger similar symptoms.
Thus, urinary symptoms should be evaluated, and the source should be detected before treatment. Each disease is very different from the rest, even if they share similar features.
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Why Uti Pain Happens At Night
According to Eilber, UTI pain and other symptoms arent worse at night. They are just more bothersome because people arent as distracted by their daily activities and the symptoms of frequency and urgency are forcing you to get out of bed.
UTI discomfort may also seem worse because youre not emptying your bladder as much as you would during the day. The pressure from collecting urine then creates discomfort against the inflamed walls of your infected bladder.
To reduce your risk of getting a UTI, there are specific lifestyle steps you can take, including:
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
Cystitis In Men And Older People
Men tend to get cystitis later in life. Where trouble with urine flow is a symptom, this may indicate that the underlying cause is a problem with their prostate gland.
Cystitis is common in older people, particularly if they are unwell. Bladder catheters and some urinary-tract operations may also increase the risk of cystitis.
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Should Uti Treatment Vary According To Whats Causing The Infection
Your UTI treatment may vary according to whats causing the infection. Certain UTIs, especially chronic and recurring ones, will need antibiotic treatment as opposed to simple home remedies.
If youre prescribed antibiotics to treat a UTI, a healthcare professional may choose an antibiotic thats specific to the type of bacteria thats triggering your infection.