The urinary tract is composed of the urethra, the bladder, the ureters, and the kidneys. Collectively, the urinary tract produces, stores, and discards urine. The kidneys filter the blood. When wastes that were collected mix with water, urine is produced.
From the kidneys, urine flows to the bladder where it is stored through the ureters. When you pee, urine is discarded or excreted out of the body through the urethra.
The urine is normally sterile or devoid of bacteria. Its chemical composition is just enough to prevent bacteria from thriving. However, there are instances when bacteria can find their way through the urinary tract.
When this happens, the tract gets infected. This is called urinary tract infection.
When bacteria affect the urethra, the infection is called urethritis. When bacteria reach the bladder and infect it, the UTI is now called cystitis. Bacteria can also reach and affect the kidneys and this is what we should really try hard to avoid.
If bacteria reach the kidneys and infect them, you now have what is called pyelonephritis. This can cause damages to the kidney tissues.
Several factors could increase the chances of having urinary tract infection. One of these factors is being unhygienic. The genital area should always be kept clean. Bacteria in this area could enter the urethra. For females, when you wash after urinating, wash from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anal region to reach the front side.
Another factor especially for females is sexual intercourse. The sexual activity could lead to the introduction of bacteria into the urethra.
You will know if you have urinary tract infection if you have any of the following signs and symptoms.
* You feel pain when you urinate. This pain is usually described as 'burning sensation'.
* You feel the urge to urinate more frequently but you release low amounts of urine only.
* You feel pain in the lower back and pelvic region.
* Your urine looks cloudy.
* Your urine has blood in it.
* Your urine has foul odor.
Urinary tract infections can be diagnosed using urinalysis. Though this procedure is relatively easy for regular physical examinations, it becomes a little complicated when the goal is to determine presence of bacteria to identify or rule out urinary tract infection. You cannot just get a sterile container and collect urine.
The sample has to be what is called clean-catch. This is to ensure that if bacteria will be identified in the urinalysis, they come from the urine itself and not from the genital area or the area surrounding it.
Once bacteria are identified, samples are taken and grown in a culture. From this sample, antibiotics can be tested to determine which type will be best to use.
Antibiotics are not the only ways to treat UTI, be it cystitis or urethritis. There are other ways that can be used. Here are some of them.
Urethritis and UTI Cystitis home remedies:
* Drink cucumber juice. It is a very good diuretic.
* Drink radish leaves juice.
* Take decoction of lady's fingers.
* Drink spinach juice combined with coconut water. This has diuretic effect because of the coconut water.
* Drink lemon juice. This will relieve the burning sensation. This will also help stop bleeding.
* Drink nettle tea. This helps cleanse the body of toxins and wastes.
These urethritis and cystitis home remedies are not just good for treating UTI. They can also used to prevent them.
It is important because urinary tract infection can spread to the kidneys. If not treated promptly and properly, this could lead to more serious health problems.
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