Having urinary tract infections is a serious problem. It affects millions of people each year.
The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters (narrow tubes), bladder and urethra. The bladder, an oval-shaped chamber, is located in the lower abdomen. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located below the ribs in the middle.
The Urinary Tract | Urinary tract infection symptoms | Urinary track infection causes | Urinary track infection home remedies
The function of the kidneys is to emove extra water and wastes from the blood and converting it to urine. The ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the second most common type of infection in our body. An infection occurs when bacteria from the digestive tract go to the opening of the urethra and multiply. Generally, the lower urinary tract is affected by the infection; this infection is known as cystitis. A urinary tract infection may be in any part of the urinary tract, such as the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or the urethra; whereas the bladder infection is a bacterial infection in the bladdewr, called as cystitis.
Symptoms of UTI
- Frequent urination: You go to the bathroom more than 8 times in a day and more than two times at night.
- A burning sensation when you urinate.
- High temperature lasting for more than 3 days should be a trigger to get the urine culture done to ascertain whether the fever is due to UTI or not.
- Cloudy, bad smelling, or bloody urine
- Painful burning urination
- Pressure in the lower abdomen
- Women feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone and in the lower pelvis.
- Some men feel a fullness in the rectum.
- If UTI is with a fever, it means that the infection has reached to the kidneys.
- Pain in the back or side below the ribs, nausea, or vomiting are also the signs/symptoms of infections in kidneys in adults.
- Children having urinary tract infections show the sign of a change in the their urinary pattern. They become irritable, loose motions, not eating properly, and have an unexplained fever.
You must visit a urologist if you have any of the above symptoms. He will test your urine for pus and bacteria. The doctor may examine you with ultrasound or by a cystoscope. A cystoscope is a fiber cable attached with lenses and a light source, which allows the doctor to see inside the bladder.
You may wonder what causes a urinary tract infection. The following are the UTI causes.
- Generally the urinary tract may be infected by E coli (Escherichia coli), which normally lives in the colon. E. coli is present in utensils not properly washed or washed with scrubbers containing E.coli. It is normally found in and around kitchen sinks where utensils are washed. Many restaurant utensils have been found to be infected by E. coli.
The bacteria that lives on the skin near the rectum or in the vagina can enter the urinary tract through the urethra. It may also spread from the rectum to the urethra by wiping the bottom back to front. Women get UTIs because they have shorter urethras, which allow bacteria to enter the bladder. - Kidney stones symptoms can obstruct the flow of urine, increasing the risk of urinary tract infection.
- Sexual intercourse may transfer bacteria called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma from the partner. This infection requires treatment of both partners.
- An enlarged prostate (urinary incontinence causes) gland can slow down the flow of urine, increasing the risk of urinary tract infection.
- People with week immune system like those having diabetes have a higher risk of urinary tract infections.
- Children who frequently delay urination may develop UTI.
- Smoking is a major known cause of bladder cancer.
- If you wearing tight fitting pants, moisture can be trapped there and lead UTI.
Home Remedies For UTI
Research by scientists at University of Stirling, Scotland found that cranberry juice may prevent urinary tract infections, particularly for those who have recurrent tract infections. This juice is believed to contain certain molecules that make it harder for bacterial such as E.coli to stick to cell surfaces, making it difficult for an infection to develop. Cranberry juice or fruit may be a natural treatment for urinary tract infections. You may take cranberry supplements.
Heat a cup of water and add to it 1 teaspoon each of turmeric powder and Indian gooseberry powder. Boil until the solution reduces to half. Drink this solution 3 times for 4-5 days to trreat the infection in urinary tract.
Mushroom (Polyporus Umbellatus) is useful in this infections.
A glass of coconut water can give you a quick relief.
You should not delay the urge to go for urination.
Urinary tract infections should be treated as soon as possible to avoid damage to kidneys. You should drink plenty of water to cleanse the urinary tract bacteria and also to avoid this infection.
You should go to a Urologist who will prescribe you pain-relieving medication or/and antibiotics to treat the infection of urinary tract. Normally, a UTI is cured with 1 or 2 days of treatment.
The content on this website is reviewed regularly and is updated when new information is made available. The information provided is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your Doctor.
