Photo credit: urinaryinfectioncure.com
UTI has been affecting my health and lifestyle for a couple of years now so I’m sharing a few insights on how to deal with it, from diet to hygiene. However, I have to remind you that the tips below are only “suggestions” and that you still have to consult your physician especially if you’re pregnant.
UTI is more common in women than men. According to http://www.medicinenet.com, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by pathogenic organisms (for example, bacteria, fungi, or parasites) in any of the structures that comprise the urinary tract – kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. UTIs can cause problems that range from dysuria (pain and/or burning when urinating) to organ damage and even death.
Symptoms (If you experience symptoms 1-3, read the Natural Remedies section; 4-7, go to the doctor immediately)
- Painful urination or “balisawsaw”
- Foul smelling urine and/or vaginal discharge
- Cloudy urine
- Blood in the urine
- Flank pain (left or right lower back pain, kidney area)
- Lower abdominal pain
- Fever
Natural Remedies
- Drink lots of water. 8-10 glasses of water a day flushes out your system. Purchase the 8 Glasses iOS app to track your daily intake of water. It will keep you motivated to complete the 8 glasses a day goal.
- Drink Gatorade to maintain hydration.
- Drink coconut water (buko juice) everyday.
- Drink sambong tea and/or sambong tablets (Sambong Re-Leaf tabs). Boil sambong leaves to make tea or buy them in teabags. You can mix sambong tea with boiled lemongrass (tanlad) to diminish its repulsive bitter taste.
- Drink cranberry juice (80% juice, at least) or take cranberry capsules. Cranberry capsules are available at Healthy Options. Cranberries are packed with Vitamin C which helps strengthen the immune system and promotes urinary health in both men and women.
- Drink probiotic drinks like Yakult.
- Limit caffeinated drinks, soda, and beer. However, a cup of green tea a day will help a bit for its antioxidants.
Hygiene
- Wipe front to back. Use a different piece of tissue each time, don’t fold and re-use.
- Refrain from using feminine wash, napkins, and liners too often; especially the scented variants.
- Go to the restroom when you have to and don’t hold it for long. It will cause the bacteria in your urine to dwell inside of your urinary tract.
- Wear cotton (not tight) underwear and keep it dry. Change undies often, especially when it’s wet or sweaty.
- Pee and wash before and after engaging in sexy time.
- Avoid sex positions that hurt your bladder or urethra. Use condoms.
- When sex is the reason why you’re getting recurring UTI, pee right after the intercourse, take the one-time “antibiotic pill” the doctor prescribed, and drink two glasses of water.
- When traveling for long hours, don’t hesitate to wear a diaper so you can pee regularly.
Detection & Tests
- Blue Cross UTI Test – It’s a home screening test kit that you can buy in major drug stores. When you’re experiencing pain when urinating, try this. Undergo a routine urinalysis as soon as possible when result is positive. Here’s a sample photo from my test last year (Blue Cross UTI Test)
- Routine Urinalysis – This test is inexpensive. You will submit a urine sample to the lab and you may get the results a few hours later or the day after. This is the first test the doctor will require you so make sure you have the results even before you visit him/her for the first time. Saves you medical costs, effort, and time.
- Urine Culture and Sensitivity – After you’ve taken your meds, the doctor will require a second routine urinalysis to make sure the infection was eliminated. If, however, you still have an infection even after the treatment, you will be required to take the Urine Culture and Sensitivity test. It is a test to detect and identify organisms (usually bacteria) that may be causing your UTI. This test is a bit expensive. It needs your urine sample and takes days for the results to come out. After getting the results, you have to go back to the doctor and he/she will give you another set of meds to take.
- Creatinine Blood Test. This test measures kidney function. Abnormal creatinine levels in the blood may indicate kidney disease. If you’re experiencing flank pain, the doctor will require this.
- Renal Ultrasound – Ultrasound for the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
- Full Abdomen Ultrasound. This is necessary if you experience flank pain. To determine the cause of kidney infections, the internal organs of the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys will be examined.
I suggest you go to Hi-Precision Diagnostics for your tests so you don’t have to go to different labs. They keep your records/results on their website so you can access them anytime. Visit http://www.hi-precision.com.ph/ for branches.
Published: 2012-02-23 12:09:04
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