For those who are not aware, a UTI, an abbreviation for a urinary tract infection, is a notoriously common and painful infection that may introduce you to some very painful symptoms. The infection may last to as short as three days, but if left untreated, can last to a few weeks at most. If not treated, it may lead to some serious complications.
Most women have experienced this bacterial infection at least once in their lifetime. Although men can get UTIs as well, these are more prone to occur in females. The most understandable reason amongst many, which even the best urologist in Karachi may tell you, is that the female’s urethra is shorter than that of men. This may cause bacteria to invade by traveling a shorter distance than in men, leading to more instances of infection.
Let me walk you through some basics such as the symptoms of a urinary tract infection:
Table of Contents
How do you know it’s a UTI?
If you suspect a UTI, look for these symptoms first:
- Burning sensation when you pee
- Frequent urge to pee throughout the day
- Nausea
- Urine that is cloudy in texture
- Pain in the pelvic area or abnormal abdominal pressure
- Fever and chills
- Urine may smell foul
If you do not treat it in the initial stages of occurrence, it will progress to a more annoying and painful state. It may also cause unwanted consequences such as:
- Kidney infection or scarring
- Kidney failure
- High blood pressure
- Gross hematuria or in simple terms, when blood is visible in urine.
- Prostate pain and infection
- Sepsis (in the last case where infection reaches the blood)
- Under-weight baby or pre-mature birth if UTI occurs in a pregnant woman
How to prevent UTIs
Preventing a UTI is the most basic requirement. Everyone must be aware of this as these are simple routine habits to adopt which will help to avoid any major issues in the future.
- Increase your water intake – It is important that you take lots of fluids. Water is essential for all necessary boldly functions. It is also vital to decrease any risk of contracting this infection. It is better to have good quantities of water than to take oral antibiotics later on.
- Wiping from front to back – A common mistake most women make is to wipe their intimate parts from back to front. This may cause harmful bacteria to be easily transferred from the anus to the urethral opening; thus increasing any chances of infection.
- Do not avoid urinating for long – Women who go for more than 4 to 5 hours without peeing, especially if feeling the need to, are more likely to contract a urinary tract infection than those who frequently urinate.
- Avoid scented products – Using scented intimate washes, sanitary pads or tampons may irritate the natural flora of the vagina, making it more susceptible to infection.
- Taking probiotics – Probiotic intake may help support the natural “good bacteria” resulting in fewer UTIs.
Foods to take when you have a UTI
While taking antibiotics and a proper treatment regime for a UTI is necessary, it is also necessary to streamline your dietary intake to help recover from the infection faster. Some of these may include:
- Cranberries – Ongoing studies suggest that cranberries help fight off a UTI effectively.
- High-fiber foods – Foods such as bananas, lentils, nuts and whole grains help regulate bowel movements, reduce pressure on the bladder and help remove harmful bacteria and toxins from the body
- Salmon – Fish containing omega-3 acids such as salmon help with the inflammation caused by a UTI. Fish oil supplements, available in capsules and syrup dosage forms, are helpful to ingest for those who do not eat fish.
- Probiotic-rich food – Yoghurt, and pickles are examples of probiotic-rich foods that may help combat infection and build good bacteria in the body.
- Non-acidic foods – Non-acidic foods, especially those rich in vitamin C are necessary to boost the body’s natural immune system; assisting it to fight against infections. Examples of such foods include bell peppers and broccoli.
Conclusion
If you have contracted a urinary tract infection, do not worry. Keep your water game strong, take your medication timely and go for the foods mentioned above and you’ll probably be infection-free within a week at max!
