October is all about Women’s Health, so we got Kate along to talk about a problem that many have unfortunately experienced, UTIs.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
Often we call these “cystitis” which means an infection of the bladder, or simply as a “bladder infection”. This occurs when bacteria infect the bladder or the urinary tract (which takes urine from your bladder out of your body) and causes swelling and irritation. Normally, there are bacteria present in the opening of the vagina, but when these bacteria get into the warm, damp environment of your urinary tract they can quickly multiply and travel up into your bladder, causing a UTI. If you are pregnant, have diabetes, or bowel or kidney disease, you are more likely to get a UTI.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) will often cause:
- Burning or stinging when passing urine
- Increased need to pass urine
- Urgency to pass urine
- Passing only small amounts of urine at a time
Tips to make you feel better when you have a UTI
- Drink plenty of water (this helps to flush the bacteria out of your urinary tract)
- Rest and keep warm
- Avoid having sex until the infection clears
- Pain relief can be taken if needed
- Avoid alcohol, fruit juices, strong coffee and fizzy drinks as these can make your urine more acidic
Treatment
Often UTI’s can be treated without medications. Mild infections can be treated with Ural sachets which alkalinise the urine (make it less acidic).
Other treatment options involve antibiotics, which you can get from your Remadee Pharmacist. This requires a one-on-one private consultation with an accredited Pharmacist.
How to stop it happening again
- Drink plenty of water – 8 glasses a day
- Empty your bladder each time you go to the toilet
- Drink cranberry juice regularly to stop the bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract (caution with some medication)
- Pass urine after having sex
- Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need – try not to hold on
Caution!
Untreated urinary tract infections can lead to kidney infections and this can be serious. See your doctor if symptoms do not improve or if the UTI keeps coming back.
