Just this morning, I posted something on Facebook regarding the current condition of my wife and praying that what were both worrying will not manifest. But I am here to break a bad news that my wife Mary Anne, had been diagnosed with Urinary Track Infection (UTI).
She had Her urinalysis and the count as indicated in the paper showed that She exceeded up to 90 Pus cell, where in the normal is 0 to 1.
The attending resident announced it as...it's just a common and normal thing, where in, in my case and I believe my wife also did, it was a very shocking news.
The dictionary defined the ailment as...Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Infection in one or more of the structures that make up the urinary system. Occurs more often in women and is most commonly caused by bacteria.
My wife was given an antibiotic to prevent the ailment from worsening. Bad for She has to be taking it for a week, and twice a day.
Personally, maybe i'm just lucky because never in my entire being I experience it. Upon learning it, interests develop and some helpful research as to understanding it's very nature and how to avoid it really puzzled me.
Facts related to it came out from the google.
It is more common in women than in men because of the relative shortness of the femaleurethra. Men over the age of 50 are more susceptible because of enlargement of the prostate and urinary stasis. Symptoms include dysuria, malaise, nausea, urinary frequency and urgency, and nocturia. There also may be a feeling of suprapubic fullness not relieved by urination. If the infection is higher in the urinary tract, in the ureters or kidney, there can be lower back pain or genital pain.
Treatment includes antibacterial, analgesic, and urinary antiseptic drugs and increased fluid intake up to 3L/day, unless contraindicated. Teaching the patient about increased fluid intake, frequent voiding, and good perineal hygiene is also helpful.
A good way to clean your unrinary tract system is to drink cranberry juice and other high acid drinks. This will remove the bacteria due to high acidity or at least help the process of you getting better.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Pain or burning during urination
- The need to urinate more often than usual
- A feeling of urgency during urination
- Blood or pus in the urine
- Cramps or pain in the lower abdomen
- Chills or fever (fever may be the only symptom in infants and children)
- Strong smelling urine
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Nausea, vomiting, and malaise
What Causes It?:
Risk factors include:
- A new sex partner or multiple partners
- More frequent or intense intercourse
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus
- Use of irritating products, such as harsh skin cleansers
- Use of irritating contraceptives, such as diaphragms and spermicides
- Use of birth control pills
- Heavy use of antibiotics
- A blockage in the urinary tract (benign masses or tumors)
- A history of UTIs, especially if the infections were less than 6 months apart
Nutrition and Supplements
Following these nutritional tips may help reduce symptoms:
- Drink a lot of fluids, such as herbal teas and water. Avoid sweetened fruit juices and other sweetened drinks.
- Cranberries and blueberries contain substances that inhibit the binding of bacteria to bladder tissue. Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice regularly helps lower the risk of UTIs.
- Try to eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your health care provider may want to test for food sensitivities.If you are susceptible to UTIs, drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry pills may help prevent recurrence.
- Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables (such as squash and bell peppers).
- Eat more high fiber foods, including beans, oats, root vegetables (such as potatoes and yams), and psyllium seed.
- Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
- Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, cold water fish, tofu (soy, if no allergy is present) or beans for protein.
- Use healthy cooking oils, such as olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids, found in commercially baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
- Avoid coffee and other stimulants, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Drink 6 - 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
My wife was advice to undergo a urine culture examination, for Her to determine what type of bacteria it is
But of course, as her husband, I am also concern with this,
Is it safe to have sex if you have a urinary tract infection?
And a health expert said this...
I don't recommend having sex while you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), because it could worsen your symptoms. This is particularly true if you haven't finished taking the full course of your antibiotics. In addition, intercourse might even feel uncomfortable if you are still suffering from the burning associated with UTIs.
That said, if you do decide to have sex, be sure to go to the bathroom and urinate before and after the act. And drink plenty of fluids. These simple steps may help you overcome your current infection, and they'll go a long way toward preventing infections in the future.
Now, we are both very cautious about it, I and my wife are now praying that after her medication everything will go back to normal again.
I know it will manifest. It will be.
References:
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/urinary-tract-000169.htm
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/urinary-tract-000169.htm#ixzz27sOcQw67
http://www.everydayhealth.com
