Urinary Tract Infection, or UTI, is a very common and painful disease that can occur among people of all ages, including children. It is an infection in the urinary systems that can include the urethra, bladder, kidneys, and uterus and can be caused by a number of reasons, including our negligence. Delayed treatment can make the infection worse. But the good news is that it can be treated via medications and lifestyle modifications.
Let’s get into the basics of UTIs, such as their treatment, diagnosis, and symptoms.
What is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
When bacteria enter your urine and travel to your bladder, it causes UTIs. A large number of bacteria are present around the rectum, vagina, and skin that may travel into urine from the urethra and enter the bladder or can even travel up to the kidney.
Normal urine doesn’t have bacteria or germs as kidneys play a role in our filtration system. Usually, urine moves around the urinary system without contamination. However, bacteria can get into the urinary system from outside which causes infection and inflammation. According to research, over 60% of women and 12% of men get UTIs at least once in their lifetime.
Who is Prone to UTI?
1. Women
One out of five women tends to get UTIs. It is because the urethra, which is responsible for carrying urine out of the body, is shorter among females and is closer to the anus where E.coli bacteria are present.
2. Older Adults
Some older adults are at risk of developing UTIs due to incomplete urination. Doctors prescribe Cran Max Pro Sachet 10’S, Abocran Sachet 10’S, and Cenova 200mg.
3. Prostate Issues
Enlarged prostate (also known as bladder prolapse) where the bladder slips out of its normal place is a medical condition and men who have this problem have higher chances of getting UTIs.
4. Diabetic Individuals
Long-term diabetes may contribute to abnormal urinary and other urinary issues that may cause urinary tract infections.
Symptoms of UTI
UTIs may not always have definite signs but when the symptoms appear, they may seem like the following:
1. Frequent Urination
The basic symptom of UTI is the constant urge to urinate. You may have a strong urge but only get a few drops frequently. It is because the bladder is disturbed and it makes you feel like you need to urinate even when there is not much urine stored in your bladder.
2. Burning Sensation
If you have UTI, you may have a burning sensation during urination or painful urination known as dysuria.
3. Incontinence
Incontinence is a condition where a person has difficulty in holding urine, resulting in leakage. Incontinence is a common symptom of UTI.
4. Abnormal Color
You may see your urine changing color. It may appear cloudy or dark like cola or tea.
5. Bad Odor
One of the symptoms of UTI is a stinking, bad, or strange-smelling odor.
6. Unwell Feeling
Some of the common symptoms of upper UTIs are restlessness, chills, fatigue, shivering, nausea, vomiting, fever, pain during sex, and more.
How Are UTIs Diagnosed?
There are the following steps with which you can diagnose UTI after discovering symptoms. Your doctors may use the following tests:
1. Urine Culture
Urine culture is the test to determine the bacteria type in your urine. This test helps understand the treatment that can fix the infection. It takes a urine sample to test and determine the underlying bacteria.
2. Ultrasound
If the treatments don’t work and you keep getting the infection over and over, your doctor may ask you to get an imaging test such as an ultrasound. The ultrasound is done from the top of the skin to create an image of the organs inside.
3. Urinalysis
This urine test helps examine the urine for white and red blood cells and bacteria. With the help of the quantity of these two cells, urine can indicate the infection.
4. CT Scan
CT scan is another imaging test that is more precise and takes cross-body X-rays that help find out the infection.
Treatment for UTI
Luckily, Urinary tract infections don’t have deadly consequences; they can be easily treated using prescribed medications. Mostly, doctors prescribe antibiotics according to the bacteria present in your urine. Some of the commonly used drugs for UTI treatment include Ceftriaxone, Cephalexin, Doxycycline, Amoxicillin, Quinolones, and more.
Make sure you do not stop taking medications once you start feeling better. Follow your doctor’s instructions and complete the antibiotic course.
Apart from antibiotics, doctors also prescribe the following:
- Cran Max Pro Sachet 10’S
- Abocran Sachet 10’S
- Cenova 200mg
1. Cran Max Pro Sachet 10’S
Cran Max Pro Sachet 10’S is made up of cranberries which is the best ingredient for the treatment of UTIs. You can take this by mouth and if you are using a chewable form, you can thoroughly chew the product before swallowing.
2. Abocran sachet 10’S
Abocran Sachet 10’S is another cranberry standardized powder extract. One box of the product has 10 sachet packs. It is used for the treatment of UTIs and to decrease the smell of urine in people who have a urine leakage problem.
3. Cenova 200mg
Cenova 200mg is a chewable tablet that has cranberry extracts, natural Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. it helps relieve pain and burning sensation in UTIs and reduces bad smells in urine. The tablet also boosts the immune system, fights bacteria causing gum diseases, and minimizes the risk of stomach ulcers.
How to Prevent UTIs?
You can prevent UTIs by practicing good personal hygiene, especially for women because the urethra in women is shorter than it is in men. To avoid this, women must wipe off from front to back after the bowel movement. Moreover, they are directed to change pads and tampons frequently when menstruating to prevent UTIs.
Water intake has a major contribution to the prevention of UTIs. It is the most essential tip for everybody: drink plenty of water as it helps clear your body and infection.
Cranberry is a famous remedy for the prevention of UTIs. Cranberries or cranberry juice may not directly help you once you get infected, but it prevents some types of bacteria that cause UTIs.
The Bottom Line
UTIs are nothing to be scared about; however, they are painful, and delaying their treatment may not be the best option. If you detect symptoms and suspect that you may have a UTI, do not ignore them and go to your doctor for a diagnosis. It is important to take care of your personal hygiene and consume plenty of water a day to prevent yourself from this painful infection.
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