Urinary Tract Infection - What is it?
Have you ever had a burning sensation while urinating? Have you ever finished urinating and then felt like you have to urinate again five seconds later with no success? Does your urine look a bit cloudy? You may have a urinary tract infection or UTI, as it is commonly known. If untreated, a UTI can infect your kidneys, causing back discomfort, nausea, vomiting and/or blood in the urine. If you have any of these symptoms above, consult your physician immediately.
What Is A UTI?
Millions of people a year suffer from a UTI or infection of the urinary tract. If you studied normal urine, it would contain waste products and salt in a liquid form. Urine is sterile, thus, it is free of any type of bacteria, fungus or virus. An infection occurs when bacteria, primarily E. coli from the digestive tract or colon, begins to clump around the urethra, where urine is emptied from. If the infection is left untreated, it will spread to the bladder and then to the kidneys.
How Do You Avoid A UTI?
Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent a UTI.
*Make sure to drink eight to ten glasses of water a day. This washes out the urinary system.
*Never “hold” or resist your urine. Urinate as soon as necessary.
*If possible, urinate before and after sexual intercourse to cleanse the vaginal area and urethra.
*Limit the number of tub baths you take or switch entirely to showers.
*Drink cranberry juice often or take a daily cranberry supplement, especially if you are prone to frequent urinary tract infections.
*When cleaning your vaginal or rectal areas, wipe from front to back. This is so you do not spread bacteria from your anal region to your vaginal region or urethra.
How Do You Diagnose A UTI?
The best way to diagnose a UTI is to visit your physician who will issue a urinalysis. In order to do this, you will need to provide a “clean catch” urine sample. The doctor will provide one or two disposable cleansing wipes for you to thoroughly cleanse your genital area. Then you will be asked to collect your urine, midstream, in a sterile cup. The physician will test your urine for bacteria and pus and examine the white and red blood cells. This will help determine which antibiotic will help best treat your infection. Nowadays, there are over-the-counter urine tests you can do in the privacy of your own home to test for a UTI, but it is always recommended that you visit your physician to be 100% sure.
How Do You Treat A UTI?
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics prescribed by a physician. The urine test will provide a clear indicator to your physician as to which medication to diagnose in addition to the duration of the treatment. Some infections can be cured within one to two days, however, many physicians will ask patients to take their antibiotics for one to two weeks to ensure the infection is completely cleared up. If you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection, consult your physician immediately and set up an appointment to go in. In the meantime, drink lots of cranberry juice or take an over-the-counter medication to ease the pain.
