common conditions
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A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection caused by microbes - organisms too tiny for a microscope to be seen. While most UTIs are caused by bacteria, some are caused by fungi, and in rare instances by viruses. UTIs are one of the most prevalent human infections.
A UTI may occur anywhere in your urinary tract. Your kidney, ureter, bladder, and urethra make up your urinary tract. Most UTIs involve only the urethra and the lower tract of the bladder. However, UTIs in the upper tract may involve the ureters and kidneys. While upper tract UTIs are rarer than lower tract UTIs, they are generally more severe as well.
Signs and Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection
A UTI's symptoms vary depending on the age, gender, catheter presence, and what portion of the urinary tract was infected with. Lower tract UTIs impact the bladder and the urethra. Lower-tract UTI symptoms include:
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Increased frequency of urination without much urine
• Muscle aches and pain in the abdomen
• Urine with unpleasant odor
• Pelvic pain in women
• Rectal pain in men
Upper tract UTIs influence the kidneys. If bacteria migrate from the infected kidney into the blood, these can possibly be life-threatening. This disease, called urosepsis, can trigger dangerously low blood pressure, shock, and death. Upper-tract UTI symptoms include:
• Tenderness and pain in the upper back
• Fever or chills (a sign that your kidneys may have been infected)
• Nausea or vomiting
People with catheters may experience fever only as a symptom, making it harder to diagnose.
UTI Symptoms in Men
Symptoms of males with upper urinary tract infection are comparable to those of females. Symptoms of lower urinary tract infections in males also include rectal pain in addition to the other common male and female symptoms.
UTI Symptoms in Women
Pelvic pain may occur in women with a reduced urinary tract infection. Besides the other prevalent symptoms, this is an additional one. Symptoms of male and female upper-tract infections are similar.
Treatment
UTIs are among America's most prevalent bacterial infections. They are particularly common in females, about 50% of whom during their lifetime will have one. UTIs tend to recur as well.
Antibiotics are by far the most viable treatment for infections of the urinary tract. The duration of UTI antibiotic treatment varies depending on the part of the infected urinary tract. These are an efficient UTI treatment. However, without the assistance of antibiotics, the body can often solve minor, uncomplicated UTIs on its own.
If one or more of the following factors are involved, medical intervention will be necessary for your UTI:
• Changes in the organs of the urinary tract, such as swollen prostate or decreased urine flow
• Presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria
• Other present conditions affecting the immune system, including HIV, heart disease, or lupus
Natural UTI Remedies and Treatment Methods
A person diagnosed with a urinary tract infection should always seek the advice of a healthcare professional. However, there are some home remedies that may help relieve the symptoms and mitigate potential UTIs.
1. Drink Plenty of Water. Water helps the body to effectively eliminate waste by the urinary tract organs while maintaining essential nutrients and electrolytes.
2. Do Not Try to Hold Your Pee. This decreases the amount of period that urine bacteria are allowed access to urinary tract cells, limiting their danger of attachment and infection.
3. Obtain Sufficient Vitamin C. Vitamin C reacts with urine nitrates to form oxides of nitrogen that can kill bacteria. It may lower the urine pH, making survival of bacteria less probable.
4. Eat Healthy. Reduce processed food intakes, artificial sweeteners, sugar, and alcohol.
If you think you are suffering from a Urinary Tract Infection contact BASS Primary Care in Walnut Creek today for a consultation and diagnosis.
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