Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection is one of the common infectious diseases that affect a considerable percentage of people. Urinary tract is the general term for the organs that are involved in the production, storage and release of urine. The urinary tract includes organs such as the kidneys, bladder and urethra. The urinary tact infection is caused because of the attack of bacteria, which can in extreme cases be fatal, if left untreated.

Urinary tract infections are caused mainly because of E.coli. Other types of infection can be caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Mycoplasma hominis. The main triggering factors for bacterial infection include lack of hygiene and unhealthy practices. Babies can get a urinary tract infection through unclean diapers. Urinary catheterization can be an easy path for infection outbreak. The risk factor for infection increases with diabetes, pregnancy, prostrate inflammation and the decrease in activity of the immune system.

In urinary tract infection, the bacteria can enter the upper tract through bruises in the tissue, or through the blood stream and the lower opening. Depending on the site of bacterial infection, urinary tract infection will be mainly three types, namely cystitis, urethritis and pyelonephritis. Cystitis is the bladder infection; urethritis is the infection of urethra and kidney inflammation is known as pyelonephritis. Of the three, cystitis is most common, as the lower tract is an easier path for the bacteria to transverse. Also, women are more inclined to get the disease, because of the different structure of urinary tract.

In general, the symptoms of urinary tract infection include back pain, lower abdomen pain, pubic bone pain in women, frequent urination, blood in urine, foul smell in urine, burning sensation while urinating, incapability to urinate despite the urge, fever and general fatigue. In case of kidney infection, the symptoms are often more serious with appearances of high fever, nausea, vomiting, bloody urine and pain in between ribs and waist.

Treatments for urinary tract infection mainly focus on the clearance of the bacteria using antibiotics. The common antibiotics include trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, trovafloxin and norfloxacin. Generally, the antibiotic treatments last for 1 to 14 days, depending on the seriousness of infection. Alternative treatments take the form of many herbs, such as Goldenseal root and Uva Ursi, as the remedies for urinary tract infection. Physical treatments such as castor oil packs are also recommended to reduce the symptoms of urinary tract infection. Rarely, some people have recurrent attacks of urinary tract infection, mainly because of their unique antigenic characteristics.

Prevention is always better than a cure, especially for urinary tract infection. Drinking a large amount of water itself can prevent the obstruction in the tract and helps for smooth urination. Strict hygiene practices such as keeping your genitals clean will help for protection from microbial infection. Avoid smoking as nicotine irritates the bladder. Also, whenever you feel the need to urinate, do not hesitate, as your suppression may lead to urinary tract infection.

One hugely successful method for treating E. coli based Cystitis is D-mannose. It clings to the bacteria and during normal urination it removes the E. coli painlessly, leaving you feeling much better.