URINARY TRACT INFECTION
WHAT THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS!-
(Smiles), that experience tends to be a memory you wouldn't forget so easily.
And its equivalent to the feelings of UTIs.
WHAT IS UTI?
Those at risk of contracting UTI are usually women and those with prolapse bladder, diabetics, and also men with enlarged prostate glands. Although for today the men aren't our main concern for this series on UTIs, the ladies are (smiles). I might bring theirs up during one of our EXCLUSIVE SERIES🤗, yeah to get them informed as well.
Nonetheless, whether it’s your first UTI as a lady or you’ve had one multiple time, I'm here to educate you on what you need to know to deal with this common yet stubborn and painful problem. Whoosh, perhaps you haven't had any UTI throughout your life and you seem scared that you've contracted one or you've had a similar symptom but you don't know what exactly; Not to worry much I'll be guiding you on everything you need to know about UTIs and how you will be able to combat it.
Let's move on to knowing the causes of UTIs:
PRIMARY CAUSE OF UTIs:
Coli isn’t normally found in your urinary tract. They invade the urinary tract from outside your body, which is easy enough because these bacteria thrive in your intestine and anus.
Bacteria that originate around the anus are typically found on the tissues outside the urethral opening.
I'd want you to note that: A very small number of bacteria near the urethra doesn’t usually cause an infection because urine doesn’t allow them to travel up into the urinary tract. When one urinates, the flow simply flushes away the little amount of E. coli that might have entered the urethra. Additionally, the human urine is normally acidic; too acidic for bacteria to live.
However, when a large number of these bacteria make their way to the urethra, or if the Urinary tract which originally has its way of defending against bacteria may fail as stated by Dr. Kelly M. Kasper, if it does then these bacteria will then overcome the body's natural defenses and cause the urinary system to dysfunction.
There are different types of UTIs and are based on the exact tract that is being affected.
•UTI affecting the bladder is known as cystitis due to the presence E.Coli in the bladder.
•UTI affecting the urethra is known as Urethritis, also due to the presence of E.coli in the urethra.
•UTI affecting the kidney is known as acute pyelonephritis
OTHER CAUSE OF UTI
•Feminine products
“Dirty pads and tampons are a place where bacteria can grow very easily, remember what our Rule No:5 talked about- "Change them frequently to prevent urinary tract infections while on your period."
Dear ladies, please choose your underwear wisely: “A cotton crotch is always preferred, and avoid thongs with a thin, chafing g-string, which can transfer bacteria.” Wearing cotton helps prevent excess moisture that causes bacteria to grow down there.
•Constipation
You might be able to blame your poop (or lack thereof) for your UTI. Being constipated makes it difficult to empty your bladder all the way, which means trapped bacteria have lots of time to grow and cause infection. On the flip side, diarrhoea or faecal incontinence can also increase your risk of getting a UTI, because bacteria from loose stool can easily make their way into your vagina and urethra
A tried-and-true rule from our previous post on vagina hygiene Rule No:4 *"Wipe from front to back whenever you use the bathroom, but be especially careful to do so after a bowel movement."* PLEASE DON'T FORGET!
•Birth control
If you switch your birth control, the resulting hormone shift could lead to a change in normal bacteria in your vagina, which could up the odds of a UTI, says Hawes. Use of diaphragms and spermicides can also increase your chances of developing one, Kasper adds.
•Holding it
If you have to go, go! “Holding our urine for 6 hours or more may make UTIs more common, as bacteria that does get into the bladder has lots of time to overgrow between voids,” Hawes says. While travelling, for example, it may seem like a good idea to hold tight and keep driving until the next rest area, but do yourself a favor and stop—the extra miles aren’t worth the risk of a UTI infection.
•Dehydration
Drinking plenty of water not only quenches your thirst, but it also wards off UTIs during hot summer months, when many of us don’t hydrate enough. Dietician Stephanie Seitz said- “We should always try to drink at least half our body weight in ounces,” When we drink plenty of water, we help flush out bacteria that can cause UTIs.”
•Kidney stones
These mineral deposits up your risk of getting a UTI, because they can block the urinary tract and back up urine, giving bacteria plenty of time to grow.
•Uncontrolled diabetes
“When blood sugar is high, the excess sugar is removed through the urine." “This makes a favourable environment for bacterial overgrowth” and a potentially unfavorable situation for you. You may have heard the myth that eating too much sugar causes urinary tract infections, when you don’t have diabetes, but that’s not true. Unless you have diabetes, your sweet tooth isn’t the culprit.
•Sex
During sexual intercourse, thrusting can introduce bacteria up the urethra and into the bladder most especially with ladies, increasing the risk of a UTI." So it is necessary as married couples you follow the appropriate guide for your intimate affair to avert regrets.
IF UTI IS LEFT UNTREATED, bacteria-laden urine can travel to the kidney and cause serious life-threatening complications.
UTIs need urgent intervention from a doctor so, as to prevent reoccurrence and other futurerisk.
Join us for the live session on WhatsApp 10PM GMT. Until next Tuesday, remain blessed.
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Indeed UTI needs urgent intervention ☺️ and we must pay attention to our health at large.
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