Urinary tract infection is caused by the intrusion of bacteria into the urinary tract - kidneys, urethra, bladder and ureters. Next to respiratory infections, urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection that can affect the human body.
Here is a recap on some possible reasons why one can have urinary tract infection in case you missed my previous posts:
Bacteria from the digestive system
Normally, urine is free of bacteria, viruses and fungi. However, when bacteria from the digestive system get into the urethra, they multiply and cause infection. The most common type of bacteria is Escherichia coli or more popularly known as E. coli.
Sexual Intercourse
Bacteria may also enter the urinary tract due to sexual intercourse. The most common bacteria that may lead to UTI are Chlamydia and Mycoplasma.
Holding Urine
Holding urine increases the chances for bacteria that may be present in it to multiply. This may lead to infection.
Infection in the urethra is called urethritis. The bacteria do not always stay in the urethra alone. It can travel to the bladder, ureters and eventually into the kidneys. Infection in the bladder is called cystitis while infection in the kidneys is called pyelonephritis.
Urinary tract infections can be treated using antibacterial drugs. For most cases, treatment may last for just a few days to about a week or two.
But if there are obstructions or presence of other diseases, treatment may be prolonged. Infections caused by Chlamydia and Mycoplasma need a longer treatment period.
Aside from using drugs, one could use natural remedy for UTI.
Here is a list of some of them that you can easily follow from home:
Increase water or fluid intake.
Increasing intake of water or other fluids increases volume of urine. This is important to ensure that urine is well diluted and chemical concentration in urine is low. Water helps flush out toxins and microorganisms. This is especially good for those who pass urine frequently but in small amounts only.
Drink cranberry juice.
Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from adhering to the inner linings of the urinary tract. Recent researches show that this is due to the presence of the antioxidant proanthocyanin. Cranberry juice is not only good in treating UTI. It can also be used to prevent infection.
Increase Vitamin C intake.
Vitamin C increases acidity level of the urine. This prevents growth of bacteria that leads to infection.
Take uva ursi as tea or tincture.
Uva ursi is a herb used as an antiseptic. Its active ingredient called arbutin gives this antiseptic effect.
Drink corn silk concoction.
Corn silk is used to treat urinary tract infection because of its diuretic effect. This is good for those who experience difficulty in urinating because it gives a relaxing effect.
Apply hot compress.
This does not directly help cure UTI, but it gives temporary relief to those who experience pelvic pain or abdominal discomfort due to it.
Take your pick for a natural remedy for UTI. Many people have used these for long time already. There are testimonials to back up the effectiveness of these.
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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