Do you know about 50% of women and 12% of men suffer from urinary tract infections at least once during their lifetime?
Urinary tract infection commonly known as UTI is one of the most common bacterial infection, secondary to respiratory infection. Statistics claims that almost every individual is susceptible to Urinary Tract Infection at some point or the other. However, the prevalence of infection may vary with age, sex and other factors.
Women in particular are at a higher risk of developing than male urinary tract infection. The reason is said to be because of their short urethra. A woman’s urethra opening is also much closer to the anus than a man’s. Hence, there is a higher risk of bacteria entering the urethra from the anus.
Women who trying to get pregnant, or during their pregnancy, women with low immunity or those who are having kidney stones, diabetes, menopause are at a higher risk of developing urinary tract infection. Hence, it is very important, especially if you are a woman to be aware of urinary tract infection symptoms, so as to cure it ASAP. Awareness could be brought by reading and sharing such issues.
So let us see in detail what urinary tract infection causes, symptoms and home remedies are.
What is Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary tract is the system where urine is formed and expelled. The system includes bladder, kidneys and ureters (the tubes that pass urine to the bladder). Infection is a result of the entry of germs or pathogens into the body. When they infect any of the structures of urinary tract, then, it is called as signs of urinary tract infection. Mostly women are more prone to symptoms urinary tract infection than men. In general, the bladder or urethra of woman is infected, and if this infection prolongs, it may even reach kidneys becoming a serious case.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
If you observe the following symptoms, then it could be a sign of urinary tract infection.
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- You feel like you have to urinate often, but not much urine comes out when you do.
- Your belly feels tender or heavy.
- Your urine is cloudy or smells bad.
- You have pain on one side of your back and under your ribs. This is where your kidneys are.
- You have fever and chills.
- You have nausea and vomiting.
So, what should you do once you are having these symptoms?
If you observe any of the above symptoms of urinary tract infection, do consult a doctor. Don’t wait to make such things get severe.
Typically, antibiotics are the medication given to treat Urinary tract infections at the initial stage. Otherwise, you may even opt for some home remedies for urinary tract infection.
Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedies
As advised best by our elders, it is always better to cure any problem from within in a good natural way. So try these effective urinary tract infection home remedies to ease your problem of urinary tract infection.
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Drink lots of water:
Immediately as you realize the symptom of infection, this may dilute your urine concentration.
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Eat Pineapple:
Pineapple contains an enzyme called Bromelain. Eating a cupful of pineapple in regular doses can help cure the urinary tract infection.
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Cranberry juice:
This juice is an effective way of treating UTI, as it does not allow the bacteria to stick to the cells that line the tract of the urinary passage. Studies published in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology and Colloids and Surfaces B: Bio interfaces revealed that cranberry extract can inhibit the bacterium Proteus mirabilis, a bug commonly found in complicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
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Baking soda:
It is a very effective remedy for urinary tract infection with its property to neutralize the acidity in the urine. Having a glass of water with one spoon of baking soda will not only ease your symptoms, but also prevent the disease.
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Juices:
They are an excellent source of antioxidants and they have the capacity to kill the alien bacteria in our body. Lemon juice, tender juice of coconut, carrot juice, juice of sugarcane are some of the juices if consumed on a regular basis can prevent and control UTI. A cupful of radish juice can also work wonders.
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Apple cider vinegar:
This is also an effective remedy since it prevents the clinging of bacteria to the side walls.
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Vitamin D:
It is used in this regard since vitamin D helps in the production of anti-microbial peptides and so helps fighting UTI.
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Probiotics:
Probiotics improves the immunity in the digestive tract and kills the harmful microbes and so prevents UTI.
You must try these urinary tract infection home remedies when your infection is at the initial stage itself. These home remedies will help you reduce your infection considerably and get rid of it early. But if the infection persists, you must consult your doctor immediately.
Some of you may often feel uneasy to discuss your problems especially in cases such as UTI. So friends, read and share this information with your family and most importantly with your female friends, it may be useful to them.
How frequently do you get UTI and what home remedies do you opt for UTI? Please share with us in the comments below.
Photo Credit: mediindia.net
