URINE INFECTION

This infection also known as Urinary Tract Infection is caused by microbes including bacteria, fungi and sometimes rarely by viruses. It is one of the most common infections in people. UTI is usually caused by using unsanitary public toilets or not maintaining hygiene. This infection can be caused anywhere in the urinary tract. It starts at the urethra, and in cases where it goes non-medicated it spreads on to the bladder and the ureters. In extreme cases it goes on spreading in the kidneys, which could be fatal in some cases. The UTI is mainly in the lower tract or the upper tract. Lower tract infections the most recurring ones. Women are more prone to UTI since their urethra is shorter than the men.  Sometimes it so happens that the bacteria present at our anus also causes UTI.

WHAT CAUSES UTI?

1. Poor washroom hygiene
2. Less consumption of water
3. Kidney stones
4. Previous case of UTI
5. Too much bed rest after surgery or immobility due to surgery, use of catheters for prolonged periods
6. Older age
7. Uncontrolled Diabetes
8. Pregnancy
9. Poor hygiene after intercourse
10. Weak immune system

SYMPTOMS

1. Burning sensation in urination
2. Increased frequency in urination
3. With increased frequency of urination, not passing much urine
4. Urine will have a strong odour and will be dark in colour
5. Pain in lower abdomen or pelvic region or rectal pain and a little bloating
6. Bloody urine in extreme unmedicated cases

In extreme cases:

1. Chills
2. Fever
3. Vomiting
4. Nausea

HOW TO AVOID OR PREVENT UTI? 

1. Avoid using public toilets, especially women, because they have a shorter urethra they are more prone to UTI.
2. Cleaning of private parts: while cleaning your private parts always clean from your front to back so that the bacteria from your anus don’t travel o your urethra.
3. After sexual intercourse: always wash your private parts and urinate after sex, so that the bacteria that have travelled to your urethra gets washed out. Avoid using spermicides and definitely practice safe sex.
4. Holding urine for prolonged periods: holding the urge to urinate can cause the bacteria to multiply and grow in the bladder.
5. Not drinking enough water can cause dehydration and thus give a breeding ground for the infectious microbes to grow.
6. Fully empty your bladder while urinating can prevent the infection a lot.
7. Chronic UTI: if you have encountered UTI more than twice or thrice in your life time frequently, it is likely that it will have a recurring habit.

UTI DIAGNOSIS

Doctors usually conduct Urine routine and urine culture for detecting a UTI.  You should always rush to the doctor the moment you feel the symptoms of UTI, because to conduct a urine culture it takes 3 days. In cases of recurrent UTI, the doctor might also conduct ultrasounds, X-ray or blood culture. In some extreme cases or cases where previous UTI have gone untreated they also conduct Computerized tomography (CT) scan.

HOME REMEDIES FOR UTI

1. Citric acids: drink a lot of fresh juices made from citrus fruits like lemon, orange etc. this neutralizes the urine and makes it easier to pass urine. Try drinking one glass or cup of juice at night because the first urine you pass of the day is the most concentrated and will burn a lot, citrus acid helps it neutralize.
2. Coconut water: coconut water has healing properties and is always recommended in any kind of infections.
3. Avoid caffeine: you should absolutely cut the caffeine intake i.e. coffee, tea or sodas, because they have high level of caffeine and caffeine has a property of dehydration.
4. Cranberries: consuming 3-4 cranberries soothes the infection and stops the bacteria from sticking to the walls of the tract.
5. Pro-biotics: Consuming curd etc helps delivery of Lactobacillicus and increases the good bacteria and fights the infection.
6. Vitamin C: like mentioned above Citrus acid have high amount of Vitamin C which helps fighting the bacteria.

AYURVEDIC VIEW OF UTI

Always remember, ayurveda is a self-care system, you have to take care f everything in your life, that bieng your health, food you consume, lifestyle habits, practicing yoga etc. The urinary tract is called mutravahi strotas. The infection of urinary tract is called Pittaj Mutrakrichhra. An aggravated pitta is the cause of UTI. It is the heat energy in every cell and predominantly lies in the stomach area. Eating food that has high heat causes aggravation of UTI. Avoid intake of hot, oily, spicy, sour, salty, and bitter foods.

AYURVEIC HOME REMEDY FOR UTI

1. Put 3 tablеspoons of powdеrеd coriandеr sееds and 1 tablеspoon of powdеrеd rock candy (or unrеfinеd sugar) in a vеssеl (prеfеrably an еarthеn pot) containing 3 cups of watеr. Kееp it ovеrnight. Mix wеll and drink 1 cup of thе liquid 3 timеs a day. This is a vеry good rеmеdy for pacifying pitta in thе urinary tract.

1. Garlic or lashuna is particularly effective against micro-organisms causing cystitis. One capsule, thrice a day is recommended for internal use.

3. Cinnamon or dalchini, one teaspoonful (5 g), thrice a day has antiseptic activity.
4. Sonth: Sonth mixed with milk and sugar can help prevent the burning and itching during UTI.

AYURVЕDIC MЕDICINЕS FOR UTI

1. Himalaya UriCare: this medicine is available online for Rs. 1992 for 240 Capsules. It helps in urine flow and kidney function. Shilajееt and Cypеrus arе among thе ingrеdiеnts includеd in UriCarе, which tonе and comfort thе urinary tract, kidnеys and bladdеr to promotе еasе of flow.
2. Dabur Gokshuradi Guggulu – 40 Tablets (Pack of 2) for Rs 130 is rich in Gokshuradi Guggulu: which helps in getting rid of infections like UTI and keeps the urinary tract clean.
3. Divya Chandraprabha Vati – 60 g (120 Tablets) An еxcеllеnt rеmеdy acting as Shamak, Balya, Rasayan & Mootral on Urinary tract & gеnital organs. It rеducеs inflammation in Urinary tract & acts as Vranaropak. Bеing Mootral it incrеasеs flow of urinе in conditions such as hampеrеd formation of urinе & accumulation of еxcrеtory wastеs. It costs Rs 42 for 30 capsulеs.
4. Dabur Chandanasva: this mеdicinе is usеd for trеating urinary infеctions. It is availablе onlinе on Dabur sitе.