Things That Cause Bladder Infections

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Primary care, Norton Prompt Care at Walgreens, Norton Immediate Care Centers and Norton eCare.

Yogurt popsicles are an enjoyable and healthy treat. The freezing process does not kill a significant amount of the active cultures in yogurt. In fact, during the freezing process the cultures go into a dormant state but, when eaten and returned to a warm temperature within the body, they again become active and are capable of providing all the benefits of cultures in a refrigerated yogurt product.

Recipe:Frozen Yogurt Pops

4 Fiber. Lack of regular bowel movements can cause pressure in the urinary tract and block urine flow, allowing bacteria to grow. A diet high in fiber paired with drinking enough water promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Fiber wont work without enough water in the diet. Some of the best sources of fiber for are whole-grain breads, apples, bananas and legumes .

Recipe:Bran Muffin Bites

5 Vitamin C. Oranges, lemons, strawberries and green leafy vegetables packed with vitamin C makes urine more acidic, which helps prevent bacteria from growing in the system. In addition, vitamin C helps cuts and wounds heal, boosts the immune system, helps your gums stay healthy, keeps infections at bay and helps the body absorb iron from food sources.

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How Are Urinary Tract Infections Diagnosed

Your doctor will use the following tests to diagnose a urinary tract infection:

• Urinalysis: This test will examine the urine for red blood cells, white blood cells and bacteria. The number of white and red blood cells found in your urine can actually indicate an infection.
• Urine culture: A urine culture is used to determine the type of bacteria in your urine. This is an important test because it helps determine the appropriate treatment.

If your infection does not respond to treatment or if you keep getting infections over and over again, your doctor may use the following tests to examine your urinary tract for disease or injury:

• Ultrasound: In this test, sound waves create an image of the internal organs. This test is done on top of your skin, is painless and doesnt typically need any preparation.
• Cystoscopy: This test uses a special instrument fitted with a lens and a light source to see inside the bladder from the urethra.
• CT scan: Another imaging test, a CT scan is a type of X-ray that takes cross sections of the body . This test is much more precise than typical X-rays.

You Dont Pee After Sex

The threat of getting a UTI shouldnt stop you from getting it on. But that doesnt mean resigning yourself to the afterburn.

One simple way to cut your risk: Head to the potty after youve finished your romp. Youll possibly flush out the bacteria that may have made their way into your urinary tract. Urinary Tract Infection. .

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What Not To Do If You Have A Uti

DO NOT have sexual intercourse. You dont want to have sex after your UTI for at least two weeks until your symptoms have cleared up. Intercourse can worsen your symptoms and possibly make your infection worse. Sex during a UTI could also be uncomfortable or painful.

DO NOT drink alcohol. While you should get plenty of fluids, you need to stay away from alcohol. Alcoholic drinks can irritate the bladder and worsen the infection.

DO NOT eat artificial sweetener. Even when you dont have a UTI, you should avoid artificial sweeteners. They can intensify your bladder symptoms.

DO NOT drink caffeine. You may think that you cant get by without your cup of coffee in the morning. However, it may be beneficial to skip it while youre suffering from a UTI. Those who regularly drink caffeine have more severe UTI symptoms. This is because caffeine has been shown to irritate the bladder.

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When To See A Doctor

Its always a good idea to reach out to a doctor if youre experiencing those UTI symptoms, because remember, UTIs can affect the kidneys without prompt treatment. But this is especially important if youre susceptible to recurrent UTIs. As you can see, there are various treatment optionsand potential preventive methodsthat may be able to keep that terrible burning to a minimum.

Additional reporting by Laura Adkins.

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How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can get quick and affordable UTI treatment with K Health? Begin a visit for just $35 to text with a doctor in minutes. K Healths board-certified, U.S.-based doctors can provide a treatment plan and prescription to resolve your symptoms as soon as possible.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• 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?

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Overview Of Urinary Tract Infections

, MD, University of Riverside School of Medicine

In healthy people, urine in the bladder is sterileno bacteria or other infectious organisms are present. The tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body contains no bacteria or too few to cause an infection. However, any part of the urinary tract can become infected. An infection anywhere along the urinary tract is called a urinary tract infection .

Can I Become Immune To The Antibiotics Used To Treat A Uti

Your body can actually get used to the antibiotics typically used to treat a urinary tract infection . This happens in people who have very frequent infections. With each UTI and use of antibiotics to treat it, the infection adapts and becomes harder to fight. This is called an antibiotic-resistant infection. Because of this, your healthcare provider may suggest alternative treatments if you have frequent UTIs. These could include:

• Waiting: Your provider may suggest that you watch your symptoms and wait. During this time, you may be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids in an effort to flush out your system.
• Intravenous treatment: In some very complicated cases, where the UTI is resistant to antibiotics or the infection has moved to your kidneys, you may need to be treated in the hospital. The medicine will be given to you directly in your vein . Once youre home, you will be prescribed antibiotics for a period of time to fully get rid of the infection.

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Can Drinking Liquid Help Prevent Or Relieve Bladder Infections

Yes. Drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of liquid a day. Talk with a health care professional if you cant drink this amount due to other health problems, such as urinary incontinence, urinary frequency, or kidney failure. The amount of liquid you need to drink depends on the weather and your activity level. If you live, work, or exercise in hot weather, you may need more liquid to replace the fluid you lose through sweat.

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Living With Urinary Tract Infections

If you have 3 or more urinary tract infections each year, your doctor may want you to begin a preventive antibiotic program. A small dose of an antibiotic taken every day helps to reduce the number of infections. If sexual intercourse seems to cause infections for you, your doctor many suggest taking the antibiotic after intercourse.

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Do Spicy Foods Irritate A Bladder Infection

Whether you top your nachos with jalapeños, sprinkle your pizza with red pepper flakes, or love your curry chicken extra hot, youve got to skip the spice when you have a UTI. Spicy foods are known to irritate the bladder and worsen UTI symptoms, so cool down your meals and opt for blander choices to treat a urinary tract infection.

Causes Of Bladder Infection

Bladder infections, sometimes called cystitis or urinary tract infections , are when a germusually bacteriatakes up residence in the bladder. Bladder infections are the most common type of UTI, but UTIs can develop in any part of the urinary tract.

The infection causes inflammation and disrupts the normal working of the urinary tract. If left untreated, these infections can also spread to the kidneys, which is more dangerous and painful.

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What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms usually bacteria that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.

More than 90% of bladder infection cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.

How Are Utis Treated

UTIs are treated with antibiotics. After several days of antibiotics, your doctor may repeat the urine tests to be sure that the infection is gone. It’s important to make sure of this because an incompletely treated UTI can come back or spread.

If someone has a lot of pain from a UTI, the doctor may recommend a medicine to help relieve the spasm and pain in the bladder. This will turn pee a bright orange color, but it’s harmless and will usually make a person much more comfortable within hours. In the case of a kidney infection, a doctor may prescribe pain medicine.

If you’ve finished all the medicine or if your symptoms aren’t much better after 2 to 3 days of treatment, contact your doctor.

Drink lots of water during and after treatment because each time you pee, the bladder cleanses itself a little bit more. Cranberry juice may also be helpful. Skip drinks that containe caffeine , such as soda and iced tea.

People who get a doctor’s help for a UTI right away should be clear of symptoms within a week. Someone with a more severe infection may need treatment in a hospital so they can get antibiotics by injection or IV .

A doctor may tell people with UTIs to avoid sex for a week or so, which lets the inflammation clear up completely.

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How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.

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. But there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

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Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection

A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.

Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.

Foods And Beverages That Affect Symptoms Are Different For Each Person With Ic

Studies have consistently found that diet triggers vary greatly among IC patients. Some individuals with IC are very aware that certain foods cause their bladders to flare, while other patients have not figured out what foods might bother their bladders. To make it more challenging, some fresh foods that bother your IC may not cause flares when they are canned or cooked. Also, if you have allergies or intolerances, your symptoms may worsen when you consume certain products. To learn what foods might trigger your IC and get your symptoms under control, following an elimination diet is key.

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Can Your Diet Prevent Or Treat A Uti

Like many health conditions, your diet can greatly affect UTI prevention and treatment. While you might not be able to completely prevent a UTI through diet alone, you shouldnt overlook the importance of your diet when it comes to UTI risk.

Certain foods can irritate your bladder lining, which can worsen the uncomfortable symptoms of a UTI. Other foods may help prevent UTIs by fighting off bacteria that cause infections.

Some UTIs can be treated at home , but some will require antibiotics. If youre still experiencing symptoms of a UTI after several days, you should seek medical attention to see if you need antibiotics.

Untreated UTIs can lead to kidney infections and more serious issues, so its important not to delay medical treatment if necessary.

Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back

If your UTI comes back after treatment, or you have 2 UTIs in 6 months, a GP may:

• prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
• prescribe a vaginal cream containing oestrogen, if you have gone through the menopause
• refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments

In some people, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection, even though you have UTI symptoms.

This may mean you have a long-term UTI that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatments.

Long-term UTIs are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.

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What Is A Uti

Before we talk about recurrent UTIs, lets talk about UTIs in general.

A UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary tract, the Mayo Clinic explains. The infection usually starts when bacteria normally found in your bowels get into the urethra, where pee exits from. Instead of urine flushing out the bacteria or your immune system fending it off like its supposed to, the bacteria begin to colonize the urinary tract, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases . Most UTIs stay in the urethra and bladder , per the Mayo Clinic.

Sometimes a UTI keeps coming back, which is called a recurrent UTI or a chronic UTI. Most people would say a true recurrent UTI is either two within six months or three within a year, Sandip Vasavada, M.D., urologic director of the Center for Female Urology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic within the Glickman Urological Institute, tells SELF.

When To See A Gp

Women do not necessarily need to see a GP if they have cystitis, as mild cases often get better without treatment.

Try some self-help measures or ask a pharmacist for advice.

See a GP if:

• youre not sure whether you have cystitis
• your symptoms do not start to improve within 3 days
• you get cystitis frequently
• you have severe symptoms, such as blood in your urine, a fever or pain in your side
• youre pregnant and have symptoms of cystitis
• youre a man and have symptoms of cystitis
• your child has symptoms of cystitis

A GP should be able to diagnose cystitis by asking about your symptoms.

They may test a sample of your urine for bacteria to help confirm the diagnosis.

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti

If you have a UTI, you may have some or all of these symptoms:6,7

• Pain or burning when urinating
• An urge to urinate often, but not much comes out when you go
• Pressure in your lower abdomen
• Urine that smells bad or looks milky or cloudy
• Blood in the urine. This is more common in younger women. If you see blood in your urine, tell a doctor or nurse right away.
• Feeling tired, shaky, confused, or weak. This is more common in older women.
• Having a fever, which may mean the infection has reached your kidneys

Beverages That May Increase Or Reduce Uti Risk

Studies have also found a connection between the consumption of certain beverages and UTIs.

Older research has shown that soda intake may be associated with recurrent UTIs. An older study from 1985 involving 225 women demonstrated that drinking cola soft drinks was strongly associated with UTIs .

Some studies have likewise shown that certain beverages can act as irritants to the bladder and are connected to lower urinary tract symptoms.

A study in 30 women found that reducing potentially irritating foods and beverages, including coffee, tea, alcohol, and carbonated and artificially sweetened beverages, reduced lower urinary tract symptoms, including how urgently and frequently they needed to urinate .

However, the researchers could not determine whether the reduction in symptoms was caused by the reduction of one or all of the potentially irritating beverages .

Another study that included 4,145 adults also found associations between coffee and soda intake and infections of the lower urinary tract .

Conversely, some studies have shown that certain foods and beverages may help reduce the risk of UTIs.

A 2003 study that included 324 women found that frequently drinking freshly squeezed, 100% juice especially berry juice, as well as consuming fermented dairy products like yogurt, was associated with a decreased risk of UTI occurrence .

Additionally, increasing water intake may help reduce UTI occurrence in certain populations.

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