Many people get urinary tract infections (UTIs) every year. If you don’t treat them, they can be painful and even lead to other problems. As the best gynecologist in Jaipur, I, Dr. Pankhuri Gautam, have seen firsthand the effects of UTIs on my patients’ health and well-being.
This guide will go over effective ways to prevent a UTI and the newest treatments that are out there. Using my significant experience and understanding in this sector, I hope to provide you with practical suggestions and treatments for managing UTIs efficiently.
What is UTI?
A UTI, also known as a urinary tract infection, is an infection that affects the urinary system. The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra may be among these. The most frequent type of infection is cystitis, which affects the bladder but can also affect the kidneys (pyelonephritis), the urethra (urethritis), or any combination.
It’s crucial to consult your doctor for early treatment of UTIs since they can develop into kidney infections, which can be dangerous if left untreated.
The common symptoms of UTIs include:
- Urge and frequency of urination.
- Pain during urination.
- Tenderness above the bladder region.
Types of UTIs
Primarily, UTIs occur in the following parts:
Cystitis(bladder):
You may experience fever, chills, vomiting, nausea, and side or upper back pain when you have a kidney infection.
Pyelonephritis(kidneys):
When you have a kidney infection, you may experience fever, chills, vomiting, nausea, and side or upper back pain.
Urethritis(urethra):
When you have an infection in the urethra, you may experience discharge and a burning sensation when you urinate.
How To Manage and Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection
Going to the doctor is the best thing to do if you have a UTI. If you have a UTI, you need to take medicines. Antibiotics are usually used to treat UTIs, but there are also natural ways to help control infections and lower the chance of recurrence. The following tips can help you prevent UTIs and may even help in treating them.
Drink Plenty Of Fluids, Especially Water.
Fluids promote the health and hydration of bladder tissue. It also makes your pee less concentrated and lowers the bacteria in your bladder. Drinking water can help some people get rid of an infection. To avoid getting UTI, try drinking at least 50 ounces, or about 1.5 litres, of water daily.
Empty Your Bladder Often.
When you empty your bladder regularly, urine doesn’t stay in it for long, eliminating favourable conditions for the growth of bacteria, which like warm, humid surroundings. Going to the toilet four to eight times a day is normal.
Increase Vitamin C Intake
According to a study, getting more vitamin C might help prevent UTIs. People believe vitamin C makes urine more acidic, killing the germs that cause infections.
Vegetables and fruits are excellent sources of vitamin C and can help you achieve your daily vitamin C goals. Just one serving of red pepper, orange, grapefruit, or kiwifruit gives you the daily suggested amount of vitamin C. You can also take alternatives such as vitamin C gummies, sprays, and oral tablets to get enough vitamin C.
Urinate Soon After Sex.
Having sex can bring germs close to or into the urethra, which is the small tube that empties your bladder. Peeing after sex gets rid of some of the bacteria that could cause an infection.
Take Cranberry Supplements.
Cranberries are great for preventing UTIs. Proanthocyanidins in the berry may stop E. coli from sticking to tissues in the urinary system.
Cranberries also contain vitamin C, which may make pee more acidic and help keep harmful bacteria from growing too much.
Different scientific studies have found different things. Some studies show that cranberry juice lowers the number of UTIs that happen, while other studies don’t show the same thing.
It is unknown if cranberries can stop UTIs, but they are a safe treatment method. If you want to eat cranberries, choose pure cranberry juice that hasn’t been sweetened over sugary cranberry drinks. Fresh or canned cranberries or supplements are another way to consume them.
Take Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria found in food or supplements. They may help keep the bacteria in your gut in balance. Some studies have shown that some probiotics may lower the chance of getting a UTI.
You can take probiotics as a supplement or find them in fermented foods like kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and yoghurt.
Supplement With Garlic
Garlic and garlic extract have antimicrobial qualities, which means they may be able to stop the growth of bacteria and prevent UTIs.
There haven’t been many studies specifically looking at how garlic can help treat UTIs, but one from 2014 found that pills containing garlic oil and parsley could work together to stop bacteria from growing and spreading.
Cooking garlic changes its properties and may make it less healthy, so most people should eat raw garlic as part of a healthy diet. On the other hand, uncooked garlic might not be a good idea for people with GERD, blood thinners, or trouble with their digestive system.
Add D-Mannose To Your Diet
Cranberries and other fruits contain a sugar called D-mannose. This sugar might help prevent bad bacteria from sticking to your urinary system.
Some studies show that it can help treat UTIs and keep them from happening again. D-mannose was shown to work as a UTI preventative and a treatment for a current UTI.
The study of how well D-mannose helps people who keep getting UTIs is still in its early stages, but the results look promising.
You can add a D-mannose supplement to your regimen, or you can get more D-mannose by eating more of the following:
- Cranberries
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Peaches
- Broccoli
- Oranges
- Green Beans
Wipe Front To Back.
By doing this after going to the toilet and after urinating, you can keep bacteria in the anal area from moving to the vagina and urethra.
Treatment for UTI
Antibiotics are commonly used as the first line of treatment for urinary tract infections. Which medicine you need to take and how long you need to take depends on your health and the type of bacteria in your urine. Make an appointment with us at our clinic, “Endoscopia”, for proper treatment.
Simple Infection
Some medicines that are often used for simple UTIs are:
- Fosfomycin (Monurol)
- Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, Furadantin)
- Ceftriaxone
- Cephalexin
Fluoroquinolones, including Cipro, levofloxacin, and others, are not usually good antibiotics for simple UTIs. Their risks are generally higher than their benefits.
Your doctor might prescribe fluoroquinolone if no other treatment options are available for a complex UTI or kidney infection.
Usually, UTI symptoms go away a few days after treatment starts, but you should complete the course as directed. Your doctor may also give you a painkiller to make burning while you urinate less painful. However, pain normally subsides shortly after starting an antibiotic.
Frequent UTIs
Your doctor may suggest the following if you get UTIs often:
- Low-dose antibiotics for six months or longer.
- Identify your symptoms and take care of yourself when they do. But make sure to be in touch with your healthcare provider.
- Taking one dose of antibiotics after having sex if the UTI is caused by sexual activity.
- If you’re past menopause, vaginal oestrogen treatment can help.
Severe UTIs
If you’re past menopause, vaginal oestrogen treatment can help.
Conclusion
Understanding and caring for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) is crucial for maintaining good urinary and general health. By taking precautions, paying close attention to signs, and getting treatment as soon as possible, you can significantly lessen the effects of UTIs on your life.
Remember, you are not alone on this path. You can count on me, Dr. Pankhuri Gautam, to be here for you every step of the way. If you have any questions or need specific help with UTIs, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can improve our bladder health together. Make your appointment today, and let’s get you on the path to better health.