Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be referred to as cystitis (lower urinary tract infection) or pyelonephritis (upper urinary tract infection). Although most UTIs are not serious, they can be a painful nuisance. Symptoms of urinary tract infection are primarily dysuria (burning with urination) with urinary urgency and frequency. The urine sometimes may be tinged with blood. Upper urinary tract infection may also present with flank pain (back pain), costovertebral angle tenderness, fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.

Other factors also may play a role in increasing susceptibility to UTI. Below are some of the risk factors and steps you might take to avoid them:

• Holding it in past the urge to urinate: this causes the bladder to stretch beyond its capacity and over time, weakens the bladder muscle. When the bladder is weakened, it may not empty completely and some urine is left in the bladder

• Not peeing after sex: intercourse makes the distance (for bacteria) to the bladder even shorter (as bacteria in the vaginal area is sometimes massaged into the urethra)

• Genetics: when the physical structure of the bladder, urethra or pelvic floor interferes with the proper functioning of the urinary system

• Being pregnant: due to alterations in the anatomy of the pelvic floor. Pregnant women are also easily dehydrated, therefore causing decreased frequency of urination (a factor in the development of UTIs.

• Other causes: Neurologic disorders that control bladder function may contribute to infection, as can some medications. Also, women with diabetes, particularly those women with uncontrolled diabetes, are more likely to develop infections. Wearing high heels-some medical experts found that the tilted torso puts the hips and spine out of alignment, which can lead to lordosis, which leads to inefficient urination, leading to UTIs. Also some women who use diaphragms may be more susceptible to infection and/or condoms with spermicide.

So what measures can one take to reduce the chances of getting UTI?

• Don’t hold it in and peei after sex: Take time to urinate (relax while you urinate) and don’t do it in a hurry as doing so might lead to not fully emptying your bladder

• Wipe from front to back- since infection is most often by enteric coliform bacteria ( from (gastro-intestinal tract- that live in on the skin near the rectum)

• Stay hydrated- Dilute your urine and flush out the bacteria.

• Vitamin C -makes the urine acidic (not conducive for bacteria) washing away bacteria

• changing sexual positions that cause less friction on the urethra- for women prone to UTI. Antibiotics after sexual intercourse may be prescribed (some women get UTI after every sexual intercourse)

• Wear only panties with a cotton crotch, which allows moisture to escape.

• Wash the skin around and between the rectum and vagina daily.

• supplemental remedies - herbal extract forskolin and Indian coleus plant, together with antibacterials, Cranberry juice, at-home test for UTI(dipstick that changes color-detects the presence of nitrite that’s formed when Bacteria changes normal nitrates in the urine to nitrite)

Although urinary tract infections are common, they usually are easy to treat once properly diagnosed and only last a few days. Antibiotics do the trick.