Although there is no scientifically confirmed seasonal effect, cases of urinary tract infections are observed more frequently at times when the weather conditions are rapidly changing – it suddenly becomes warm in the spring or unexpectedly cold in the autumn. Perhaps this is because we are reckless and dress inappropriately in the summer. When we overheat or cool down, we create favorable conditions for the development of these infections. Even if it’s just an appearance – the end of summer is the right time for a reminder of how dangerous these infections are, how long you can treat yourself, but when you should go to the doctor!
Eva Bormane, a nephrologist at the Association of Health Centers, emphasizes that the greatest attention should be paid to prevention, but in case of illness, treatment should be started in time to protect the kidneys from uninvited guests – bacteria, but the pharmacist of “Mēnes Aptiekas” Gunita Petrovica urges not to indulge in myths about cranberries as a remedy and, at the first signs of the disease, it is recommended to seek advice from specialists.
Bacteria can enter the kidneys
Not only because urinary tract inflammation is very painful, it should be avoided by all means. Left untreated or self-medicated for too long, it can open the way for disease-causing bacteria to the kidneys. Although under normal conditions various microorganisms live on our skin and in the intestinal tract, urine is usually sterile – there should not be any bacteria in it. However, under certain conditions, inflammation or infection can develop in any part of the urinary tract. The closer to the kidneys, the more severe and serious the course of the infection. Therefore, the way our urinary system works requires quite a lot of attention.
Let’s remember the basics
The urinary system, or urinary tract, can be conditionally divided into the upper ones, which include the kidneys and ureters, and the lower ones, which are formed by the bladder and urethra. The symptoms of the disease depend on the place affected by this infection.
Urinary tract inflammation is most often caused by E. coli, a typical inhabitant of the colon. Because the urethra in women is much shorter than in men, it is much easier for bacteria from the perineal area to enter the bladder, causing inflammation. If the symptoms characteristic of cystitis appear in a man, an additional examination by a urologist is definitely required. Long-term self-medication in this case should not be engaged in, the doctor strongly reminds.
When the infection signals unpleasantly
The main symptoms that indicate a urinary tract infection are an almost continuous pressing need to urinate, while the process of urinating itself is painful and does not provide any relief. On the contrary, an empty bladder causes even more discomfort. Urinary incontinence, blood mixed with urine, is also common, and it seems scary. Urine can also be cloudy, with an unpleasant smell. Although inflammation of the lower urinary tract, including acute cystitis, is considered to be relatively mild clinically and usually does not leave lasting health consequences, subjectively it is often so disturbing that the patient cannot think about anything else but the unpleasant feeling in the lower abdomen and perineum.
Cystitis or inflammation of the urinary bladder – the most common and relatively mild type of urinary tract infection – is usually caused by bacteria that live in the intestinal tract, but under favorable conditions, when the body’s immunity decreases (cooling, overheating, stress), they enter the bladder through the urethra, multiply there and cause inflammation of the wall .
The amount of water you drink is important
Treatment should always begin with adequate fluid intake, although it may seem that nothing can be cured with water. Often the patient does the exact opposite – tries to drink less so that urination is less frequent and less painful. However, the amount of water you drink is essential, as it increases the flow of urine, which mechanically clears the urinary tract of inflammation-causing bacteria, removing them from the body.
First aid – at the pharmacy
No matter what your caring grandmother advises, eating cranberries or other acidic foods will not save you. However, various capsules containing cranberry extract and other products intended for the prevention of urinary tract infections will also contain substances that prevent the spread of bacteria. This is because the medicinal component in these preparations is in a much higher concentration than it is possible to take with cranberries or their juice, reminds the pharmacist of “Mēnes Aptiekas” Gunita Pētersone. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you can also use over-the-counter products for the treatment and prevention of urinary tract inflammation, which usually contain substances that prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, preventing the inflammation from spreading.
You have to go to the doctor!
If the treatment was started early, but it did not get better within two or three days, pain in the side, fever, increased body temperature, maybe even nausea appear, it is possible that the bacteria have reached not only the bladder, but also reached the kidneys through the ureters and inflammation of the kidney bowl has developed. or pyelonephritis. It is characterized by severe back pain in the kidney area, increased body temperature, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of intoxication. Such a situation is much more serious, so the patient must definitely contact his family doctor and start antibacterial therapy. Kidney teas alone will not help then.
Urinary tract infections tend to recur
However, repeated illness does not always mean that the previous one has not been cured or is chronic. It is likely that once again the conditions were favorable for this infection. Recurring symptoms are not always related to urinary tract inflammation. Similar complaints to cystitis are also caused by other diseases of the pelvic organs, such as atrophic colpitis (postmenopausal), oncological diseases of the urinary tract, diverticula (a sac-like protrusion of the bladder wall) or fistulas. Therefore, if symptoms recur after therapy, additional investigation would be necessary. Sometimes women complain that they have had cystitis for years, despite the continuous use of various antibacterial agents. This means that the cause of complaints is most likely not the presence of bacteria in the urinary tract.
Cornerstones for prevention
The cornerstone of prevention is good health, which also means that the immune system works normally and protects us from getting sick. Although antibiotics are an excellent drug that has saved us for decades in severe cases, when it comes to urinary tract infections, unnecessary use of antibacterial agents should be avoided (see previous paragraph!). Any unnecessary course of antibiotics also affects our good bacteria, which are indispensable in the prevention of urinary tract infections. Also very important are:
- take in enough fluid every day – at least 30 ml per kilogram of weight per day (unless there is severe heart or kidney failure),
- not suffering with a full bladder, but emptying it as soon as the need arises,
- after each bowel movement, wipe properly – from front to back, not the other way around (this will prevent microorganisms from the anus region from entering the vagina and urethra),
- daily wash the skin around the external genitalia lightly, but do not overdo it, do not rub, so as not to achieve the opposite effect.
A pharmacist’s recommendation may be helpful
Each of us has a weak spot in the body, our Achilles’ heel, so for those women who have a tendency to frequent infections, it is recommended to use over-the-counter medications for urinary tract health as well.
In order to alleviate the symptoms, you can additionally use various herbal teas (yarrow, birch leaves, lingonberry leaves), which have diuretic as well as antispasmodic properties. Immunity building plays an important role, both by consuming a wholesome diet and by additionally considering the intake of vitamin D and certain antioxidants such as selenium, vitamin C, A and E. It is recommended to buy products for the hygiene of intimate areas at a pharmacy, as they are safe and designed to disrupt the normal vaginal microflora as little as possible, protect it and ensure the necessary PH environment. Many intimate care products also contain herbs that help reduce irritation, such as chamomile extract. Various herbal preparations are also available at the pharmacy, such as those containing parsley root extract, which can provide relief in case of urinary tract inflammation.
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