Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), the 2nd most common type of infection in the body is one the most serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. The Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) involves infection in the Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder or Urethra. These are the organs that urine passes through when eliminated from the body. Women are especially prone to UTIs, even though they generally have anatomically and physiologically normal urinary tract. Reasons for this are not yet well understood.
A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) also known as FEARNES SYNDROME is a microbial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of microbes but does contain fluids, salts and waste products. The main cause agent in at least 90% of uncomplicated infections is Escherichia coli, which live in the bowel (colon) and around the anus. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the bladder or kidney and begin to grow. The infection often starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract. Abnormalities of the urinary tract that hinder the flow of urine set the stage for an infection.
Symptoms:
Urinary Tract Infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- Urine that appears cloudy
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-coloured — a sign of blood in the urine
- Strong smelling urine
- Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the centre of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone
Causes:
UTI typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
The most common UTIs in women are:
- Infection of the Bladder (Cystitis). This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop it. All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy — specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
- Infection of the Urethra (Urethritis). This type of UTI can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as Herpes, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma, can cause Urethritis.
Risk Factors :
Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection during their lifetimes. Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:
- Female Anatomy : A woman has a shorter urethra than a man does, which shortens the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
- Sexual Activity : Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs than do women who aren't sexually active. Having a new sexual partner also increases your risk.
- Certain types of Birth Control : Women who use diaphragms for birth control may be at higher risk, as well as women who use spermicidal agents.
- Menopause : After Menopause, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract that make you more vulnerable to infection.
- Other Risk Factors like Urinary tract abnormalities, Blockages in the urinary tract, a suppressed immune system, Catheter use, a recent urinary procedure can increase the risk of developing a Urinary Tract Infection.
Complications
When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can have serious consequences like :
- Recurrent Infections especially in women who experience two or more UTIs in a six - month period or four or more within a year.
- Permanent Kidney Damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI.
- Increased risk in pregnant women of delivering Low Birth Weight or Premature Infants.
- Sepsis a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection works its way up your urinary tract to your kidneys.
UTI & Ayurveda
Mutra Krucchra & Mutra Ghata are two broad headings defining Urinary Tract Infections in Ayurveda. Although the symptom complex of both headings seems to be overlapping but some Acharyas has differentiate them based on the intensity of obstruction. ‘Mutra Krucchram’ is characterized with painful Urination whereas ‘Mutra Ghata’ is associated with more of Urinary obstruction.
Usually Urinary Tract Infection is described under the broad term of ‘MutraKrucchra’. The term is comprised of two words ‘Mutra’ and ‘Krichra’. Mutra means Urine & ‘Kricchra’ means painful. Thus, dysuria, discomfort during urination and painful urination called as MutraKrucchra.
Although modern antibiotics are being used in UTIs, Urinary Tract Infections can be quickly and easily treated with Ayurvedic treatments with no side effects. Drugs like Kamala, Neel kamal, Shigru, Gokshura, Punarnava, Sariva, Varuna, Haritaki, Lasuna, Pashaanabedhi, Chandana, Trina Panchamula etc are very useful for UTI.
Prevention
- Should make a habit of passing urine every 3-4 Hours
- Drink plenty of Water at least 3 litres.
- Females should wash from front to back direction always
- Dry with soft towel in the same direction
- Avoid Coffee & Tea as much as possible
- Go & Wash after Sexual Intercourse
- Lessen contraceptive usage if you are prone to repeated UTI
- Avoid Bladder Irritants
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products
- Avoid wearing Tight Clothes & Under wears
- Do Pelvic Floor Exercises daily & compulsorily
We at Vardhan Ayurveda Hospital, since 1999 with 5 branches (Narayanguda, Tarnaka, Banjara Hills, Vijayawada, and Kurnool) across Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, with a proven methodology, with zero side effects have treated more than 6 Lakh happy customers. We provide the Best Treatments for "FEMALE URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS" with high success rates through Ayurveda.