Home » How to Avoid the Serious Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) & Cystitis Treatments

How to Avoid the Serious Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) & Cystitis Treatments

Posted: Tuesday, March 24, 2009

by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com

Do you think you have a urinary tract infection and wondering if it is a dangerous condition to suffer from? What would you like to hear, that it`s not, well it certainly can be if it goes without medical attention. If a urinary tract infection (UTI) is not treated the damage it is capable of doing to the kidneys and the urinary tract can cause possible life-threatening problems. A urinary tract infection also known as cystitis, is an infection that happens when bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause tissue damage in the urethra, bladder, and/or kidneys. UTIs are not as most people believe them to be sexually transmitted; however the odds do increase for infection happening if you are sexually active.

UTIs are a regular condition and the figures in sufferers prove this. This particular infection is known to affect 50% to 80% of women at some time and 20% to 50% of this number will have repeated episodes. It also affects both genders; however the woman is more targeted for it coming about because of body structure. In females, the distance between the bladder and the urethral opening is rather short, therefore resulting in closeness to the vagina/rectum. Because of nearness bacteria finds it easy to move freely from one place to another. Because the male`s urethral tube is longer we have a bigger gap. The opening is a fair distance from the rectum hence less possibility of bacteria going further therefore lowering frequency of UTIs in men.

Bacteria called E. coli are usually responsible for the problem. The bacteria enter into the urethra, bladder, and sometimes the kidneys. Trichomoniasis and Chlamydia are two to name of STIs that can cause urinary tract infections. Influential factors for cause vary in sources, for example stress, weak immune system, poor eating habits, urethra damage caused by childbirth or surgery. All these are given reasons for people developing a UTI.

It is in your best interest if you experience any unusualness in and around the vagina is to have it checked out. Ignorance is a killer.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection for both male and female may include

Pain/burning when passing water
Frequently thinking you need to urinate
Urinating but little loss
Blood spotting in urine
Strong smelling wee first thing in the morning

If you have suffered from any of the above you`re not to leave anything to chance and hope it will go away because most infections don`t, not without a doctor prescribing appropriate medication. Now that you are aware this is a life threatening condition you really can`t afford to play the waiting game. Your doctor will perform a urinalysis test to confirm the UTI. Once established you may be prescribed antibiotics to treat the infection. Other medication may be given for relief for other symptoms. Pain in the lower back can indicate a kidney infection.

You need to practice a different way of doing things and endorse these differences into your daily life to help prevent a UTI. If you can reduce the risks by following what the medics suggests then I suggest you follow what they say. A urinary tract infection is far from being a nice condition and one which can only be described as nasty.

Nasty is not nice so let as look at what we can do to help reduce the risk of developing a UTI:

You need to allow the genitals breathing space. This part of the body needs sufficient air circulation to be able to deter a UTI. Wear slack clothes round the crotch. Look towards wearing items made of cotton fabrics.
Eat healthily adding plenty of nutrition into your diet: Drinks like caffeine and alcohol (cut down) need to be substituted with water. You may have heard how unsweetened cranberry juice can help make the bladder and urethra more acidic and therefore more hostile to infectious bacteria. Because of this you need to be getting an ample supply.
When you pass water (urinate) make sure the bladder is completely emptied.
Sanitary protection needs regular changing
Wash your hands after contact with the genitals.
Use of diaphragms can cause problems. If you use one for birth control, pressure of the lip against the urethra can give reason for a UTI to happen.
Roaming bacteria from the genital/rectal region can be brought into the urinary tract during sexual play. Go to the toilet before and after sexual intercourse, it helps rid the urethra of bacteria taking pressure off the bladder too.
Poor hygiene is not good, in fact whether in relation to a urinary tract infection, other infections can happen due to lack of soap and water. Women should be extra careful in how they clean the vagina and anus after using the toilet. It is important that the motion used with wipes or tissue is worked from the front towards the back.

Most people treated for a UTI admit to not being aware on how to protect them self from the disease while others blatantly admit to knowing but not endorsing any of the safety measures provided. If you do this then you can only expect the inevitable to happen.

Did you know when you treat your own vaginal infection you rid vaginal odour at the same time.

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