Urinary Tract infections or UTI’s are common bacterial infections of the urinary tract. They occur for various reasons but primarily due to being sexually active, menopause, or lack of hydration.
 |
| A woman suffering from UTIs |
It has been proved that women are at a greater risk than men due to the female anatomy (the urethra in a woman is shorter than in men, which means the bacteria have to travel a shorter distance from the rectum).
Symptoms- It includes a strong, persistent need to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, and urine that appears cloudy and is strong in smell. The important thing to note here is that a UTI can be present in the bladder, kidneys, or urethra. If a person is suffering from back pain, a fever, or chills accompanied by nausea and vomiting, these are serious signs and may mean that the individual has a kidney infection. For these symptoms, it is necessary to go to the doctor or ER promptly. One interesting point to note is that elderly patients often show symptoms of confusion, restlessness, and agitation as opposed to the symptoms mentioned above.
So, how do we prevent these pesky bacteria? It is very simple to avoid urinary tract infections so,
- Stay hydrated.
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Drink plenty of water.
- Cranberry juice can help, but don't overdo it.
- Empty your bladder after sexual intercourse.
- Do not use douches! They can be irritating to the flora in your urethra thus causing an imbalance.
- Make sure to wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from spreading.
In children, UTI's are always complicated and require medical attention with the care of a physician. however, in adults UTI’s can be treated with oral antibiotics. Typically, a physician will perform a culture of the bacteria to determine which antibiotic to be given to the individual. Usually, a patient needs an oral antibiotic for three to seven days depending on the culture and antibiotic. However, recurrent UTI’s might require a stronger and longer course. Please do not try to treat with any antibiotic you have at home. It may not even work for the type of bacteria that has caused your UTI.
Keep in mind to drink plenty of fluids when you have a UTI to help flush out the bacteria. Most importantly, do not stop taking your antibiotic as soon as you feel better. Complete your course because some bacteria may still be lingering. All in all, UTI’s can be easy to treat, depending on the bacteria and various other factors, particularly age. So, stay hydrated and practice good hygiene to prevent these unwanted infections.
Hope you find this information useful to take routine care of your health.
Stay healthy, stay safe...
