UTI Dyers: How To Prevent And Treat Infections Of The Urinary Tract
UTIs, or urinary tract infections, are more common than most people realize and they can be very uncomfortable. However, there are simple steps that you can take to prevent UTIs and treat them when they strike. Read on to learn more about UTI Dyers, their symptoms, and how you can prevent them from happening in the future.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
Urinary tract infection (or UTI) is a term used for all sorts of urinary system infections. In simple terms, it means that somewhere along your body’s plumbing—your kidneys, bladder, or urethra—an infection has set in. The most common symptom is pain or burning during urination. Other symptoms include cloudy urine, fever, frequent need to urinate, and abdominal pain. UTIs can range from mild bladder irritation caused by bacteria in your urine stream to severe cystitis or kidney infection that may lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
Signs, Symptoms, Causes, And Risk Factors:
Urinary tract infections can occur in both men and women, although they are more common among women because of their shorter urethras. Risk factors include diabetes, having a catheter, being pregnant or post-menopausal (both increase risk), poor hygiene, sexual intercourse, and stress. Symptoms can include burning during urination and frequent urges to urinate. Treatment includes changes in lifestyle (e.g., diet) and treatment with antibiotics. Antibiotics may also be used prior to surgery as a precautionary measure.
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Types Of UTIs:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections affecting over eight million people every year in Britain. Not all UTIs can be prevented, but there are measures you can take which will greatly reduce your chances of getting one. It’s also important to be aware that not all UTIs show any symptoms; however if you think you might have one, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. This is because although most cases clear up on their own with antibiotics, more serious UTIs can lead to kidney problems and even sepsis. In more extreme cases, it could even lead to death. This makes spotting a UTI early vitally important in order for doctors to administer treatment as soon as possible.
Treatment Options:
The first step in treating a UTI is to drink plenty of fluids, about eight glasses each day. If you are experiencing pain or are at risk for kidney infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic. Commonly used antibiotics include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin (Levaquin), norfloxacin (Noroxin), tetracycline, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Both antibiotics can cause side effects such as nausea or diarrhea, but both have been shown effective against E. coli-related UTIs. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend hospitalization so that they can monitor your symptoms until it has run their course.
Preventing Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):
Diets that are high in fruits and vegetables can help reduce your risk of developing UTIs by promoting healthy bacteria in your gastrointestinal system. Reducing alcohol consumption, avoiding dehydration, avoiding sexual activity immediately after urinating, drinking cranberry juice daily, or taking a prescription medication called probiotics can also promote healthy urinary tract function. If you do contract a UTI, most cases will pass within two weeks without treatment. In some instances, antibiotics are needed to eliminate infection completely. Always follow your doctor’s instructions if prescribed any antibiotics for an infection of the urinary tract; these medications should never be taken without a medical professional’s consent.
Diet As Prevention:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can be prevented by maintaining a healthy diet. A healthy diet means eating plenty of fiber, especially in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This can help keep your urine thin so that bacteria have less opportunity to cause infection. A low-salt diet is also a good idea because salt increases fluid retention. The key is to maintain a proper balance between enough water consumption and too much salt in your food. Drinking cranberry juice has been shown to protect against UTIs as well. Because these juices are low in sugar they do not promote bacterial growth or bladder irritation like high fructose corn syrup varieties do; therefore they are thought to be beneficial in preventing UTIs.
