If you experience excruciating pain when urinating, have persistent back pain, or your urine gives off an unpleasant smell, you may suffer from a urinary tract infection or UTI. If left untreated, these irritating symptoms can lead to more serious complications.
When any of the organs that make up the urinary tract becomes infected with bacteria, fungi or parasites, it leads to an infection of the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes organs such as the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. More specific and localized classifications include urethritis (urethral infection), cystitis (bladder infection) and pyelonephritis (kidney infection).
Urinary tract infection can be caused by bacterial strains occurring in the colon, such as E-coli, and can be extremely painful and irritating. Most urinary infections are limited to the bladder. However, if the infection spreads to the kidneys, it can be life threatening.
Bacteria move from the urethra to the bladder and then to the kidneys. Women are more susceptible to this type of infection than men, because women have a shorter urethra and it is easier to transfer germs to the bladder or kidneys. In addition, if you have enlarged prostates or kidney stones that limit or interrupt the urinary flow, you may be more susceptible to UTI. In addition, if you do not drink a lot of water, you increase the risk of suffering from urinary tract infection. Urination cleans the urinary tract, but this is possible only when drinking a sufficient amount of fluid.
If you notice symptoms of a bladder infection, it is important that it is treated quickly and correctly. Otherwise, it can lead to a kidney infection, which is much more serious. Symptoms usually include a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy urine, an unpleasant smell, occasional traces of blood in the urine, and the feeling that you need to urinate urgently and frequently. It can be very difficult to urinate or completely void. If you experience unbearable pain or lower back pain, act quickly to avoid possible serious complications.
Standard treatment for urinary tract infection includes a normal course of antibiotics. However, if you want to do something more naturally, Naturopathy offers a number of options that can help. Herbs with urinary tract affinity, such as Uva Ursi, Golden Rod, Berberis and Corn Silk in the right combination, can be very effective. Homeopathic remedies can also provide rapid relief with Cantharis, Berberis, and many other single and combined homeopathies. Probiotics are important for controlling the types of bacteria present in the colon, and proper wiping (front to back) will reduce bacterial contamination.
Cranberries have long been considered a cure for bladder infections, but you should only use pure, unsweetened juice. If you start filling up delicious cranberry juice from your local grocery store, it will add sugar to your system, which will lower your immune function and feed the bacteria.
