The Urinary System, an overview:
The urinary system is a complex and intricate system that plays many roles in the body such as regulating blood pressure and helps maintains water and calcium levels. It is made up of the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. The kidneys main role is to filter the blood to remove waste products, which eventually becomes urine. Urine is passed into the bladder where it’s stored and then further moves into the ureters and urethra to pass urine
What is a UTI?
A Urinary Tract Infection in an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary tract. This means that it can be in the bladder (known as cystitis), kidneys (known as pyelonephritis), ureters and urethra (known as urethritis).
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Symptoms may vary depending on the location of the infection. Infections of the urinary tract (which is comprised of the bladder, ureters and urethra) include; pain or burning when urinating and cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a strong odour. Increased pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen or mid-back. An increase in frequency to urinate, which is often described as urgent with only small amounts passing. A low-grade fever may also be present.
Infections can spread quickly to the kidneys, with symptoms being more severe. They include fever accompanied with chills or night sweats. Fatigue/lethargy, flushed, warm skin, nausea and vomiting and confusion. Pain along the back or groin area and occasionally abdominal cramping.
What causes a UTI?
A UTI is caused generally by bacteria that enter the urethra and find their way into the bladder (and then kidneys). Like most infections, our body tries to contain the infection. However certain situations increase our risk. Women are more likely to get a UTI as their urethra is shorter than males and is closer to the anus. Women are encouraged to urinate before and after sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of infection occurring. This is because of the bacteria that naturally live in the vagina and anus can spread and travel up the urinary tract, multiply and cause the infection.
Waiting (or holding on) to long can also cause UTI’s. When the bladder starts to fill, the muscles stretch which sends a signal to let us know we need to urinate. After we urinate, the muscles return back to its original size. If this signal is ignored, over time the muscles over stretch and weaken. When the muscles are weakened, the bladder doesn’t empty completely, leaving urine in the bladder. This increases risk of infection as the urine is made up of waste products allowing for bacteria to be reabsorbed.
Are UTI’s serious?
A UTI is generally not serious if treated promptly. However, if the UTI becomes a kidney infection, serious complications can arise. Damage and scarring can occur to the kidneys which is undesirable. Immediate medical attention is advised if you experience any of the signs and symptoms of a kidney infection, especially if you have a UTI.
How are UTI’s treated?
Medically, UTI’s are generally treated with antibiotics. Symptoms generally start to reduce within 24-48 hours. If you prefer to avoid antibiotics, there are some great herbal and nutritional treatments available from your naturopath.
What can I do?
Drink plenty of water!! Increasing your water intake helps flush the bacteria. Although this may be inconvenient as it will increase your need to urinate, the more water you can drink the better.
Unsweetened cranberry juice is also good to drink. Cranberry has been shown to reduce the bacteria, that is found in UTI’s. It reduces the bacteria’s ability to stick and adhere to the bladder.
Avoid alcohol, black tea and coffees. These are hydrating and irritate the lining of the urinary tract system.
How can I prevent a UTI?
There are a few ways you can try to prevent a UTI. Urinating before and after sexual intercourse can help. Wiping front to back reduces the risk of cross-contamination of faecal matter into the urethra.
Avoid douching or hygiene sprays as these can alter the pH of the genital area and reduce the acidic nature encouraging bacteria to multiply.
Wear cotton underwear
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