Infections
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men.
What are the symptoms?
- A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away
- A burning feeling when urinating
- Urinating often, and passing small amounts of urine
- Urine that looks cloudy
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — signs of blood in the urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone
What causes a UTI?
UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria, but the defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a fullblown infection in the urinary tract.
The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra
- Infection of the bladder. This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. But sometimes other bacteria are the cause.
- Infection of the urethra. This type of UTI can happen when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. An infection of the urethra can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections. They include herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma. This can happen because women’s urethras are close to the vagina.
What are the risk factors?
UTIs are common in women. Many women experience more than one UTI during their lifetimes.
Risk factors for UTIs that are specific to women include:
- Female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men do. As a result, there’s less distance for bacteria to travel to reach the bladder.
- Sexual activity. Being sexually active tends to lead to more UTIs. Having a new sexual partner also increases risk.
- Certain types of birth control. Using diaphragms for birth control may increase the risk of UTIs. Using spermicidal agents also can increase risk.
- Menopause. After menopause, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract. The changes can increase the risk of UTIs.
Other risk factors for UTIs include:
- Urinary tract problems – Babies born with problems with their urinary tracts may have trouble urinating. Urine can back up in the urethra, which can cause UTIs.
- Blockages in the urinary tract – Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can trap urine in the bladder. As a result, risk of UTIs is higher.
- A suppressed immune system – Diabetes and other diseases can impair the immune system — the body’s defense against germs. This can increase the risk of UTIs.
- Catheter use – People who can’t urinate on their own often must use a tube, called a catheter, to urinate. Using a catheter increases the risk of UTIs. Catheters may be used by people who are in the hospital. They may also be used by people who have neurological problems that make it difficult to control urination or who are paralyzed.
- A recent urinary procedure – Urinary surgery or an exam of your urinary tract that involves medical instruments can both increase the risk of developing a UTI.
Can UTIs cause complications?
Some complications of repeated UTIs include –
- Permanent kidney damage from a kidney infection due to an untreated UTI.
- Delivering a low birth weight or premature infant when a UTI occurs during pregnancy.
- A narrowed urethra in men from having repeated infections of the urethra.
- Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. This is a risk especially if the infection travels up the urinary tract to the kidneys.
Role of homeopathy in managing UTIs –
- Symptomatic relief in pain, burning urination, frequency of urination, fever etc during an acute attack of urinary tract infection.
- Prevention of repeated UTIs and their complications.
- Strengthening the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
- Holistic wellness by mitigating underlying risk factors like Diabetes, renal stones, prostrate enlargement, STDs etc alongwith mental and emotional wellbeing.
Are there any ways to prevent UTIs?
These steps may help lower the risk of UTIs:
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. That leads to urinating more often — allowing bacteria to be flushed from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.
- Try cranberry juice. Studies that look into whether cranberry juice prevents UTIs aren’t final. However, drinking cranberry juice is likely not harmful.
- Wipe from front to back. Do this after urinating and after a bowel movement. It helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty your bladder soon after having sex. Also drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using them in the genital area can irritate the urethra. These products include deodorant sprays, douches and powders.
- Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, unlubricated condoms or condoms treated with spermicide can contribute to bacterial growth.
Presenting the reports of a child suffering from acute urinary tract infection, who was prescribed an intensive antibiotic course. The parents were reluctant to start such a high dose and sought Homeopathic treatment. The child was completely better within two
days, busting the myth that Homeopathy is a “slow’ mode of treatment.
