Urinary tract infections include infection of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The culprits are urinary bacteria which can enter the opening of the urethra and spread into the other parts of urinary tract where they start to multiply. The disease is very painful and if not managed on time or properly can lead to serious complications.
Symptoms include excruciating and constant pain and burning. Person experience need for urination all the time. Blood traces can be evident in urine. The condition can be followed by fever, nausea and vomiting due to severe pain. Fever usually points to kidney infection. In that case the pain may irradiate towards ribs of the affected side. Women most frequently develop cystitis, the inflammation of bladder. Generally the disease is more common in women.
The disease is caused by digestive tract bacteria which can spread to the opening of urethra. It can occur after unprotected sexual intercourse, so people who often change sexual partners are more likely to be infected. Sometimes people tend not to urinate on time. This leads to stretching of bladder which cannot afterwards empty completely. The result is residual urine in bladder, the source of infection. Bacteria are the cause and hence the medical treatment includes appropriate antibiotics. After the sample of urine is taken and the bacteria are isolated antibiotics are prescribed according to the antiobiogram.
There are a lot of home remedies that may help you if you are affected. Those are used as supportive therapy since the basic therapy includes medications prescribed by the doctor. Person must increase the intake of vitamin C either through citric fruit (lemon, orange etc.) or via intake of vitamin supplements.
Baking soda is used as a mixture of 1/2 tsp of baking soda dissolved in 8 ounce glass of water. This taken into the system may raise the acid-base balance hence increase the acidity of urine. It is essential for patients to drink as much fluid as they can. This includes water and some herbal teas.Cranberry juice helps prevents bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract cells.
Aromatherapy uses an essential oil. This is made of equal parts of sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, frankincense and juniper. The tincture is rubbed onto the bladder area and massaged for three to four days. Echinacea is good for increasing the response of the immune system. Irritant food should be avoided. This includes dairy products, chocolate and spicy food. As for drinks caffeine, beer and carbonated drinks are not allowed. Sometimes a heating pad pressed onto the lower abdomen can relief the pain. In the end what is important to be emphasized is that the infection has to be reported to the doctor since he/she will be treating you. Home remedies may be used additionally.