• Introduction :- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect millions of people each year and are the second-most common type of infection in the body. Urinary tract infections are more common in women than men, however when men get UTIs they are often more serious and difficult. A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidney

What are the parts of the urinary tract system?

The urinary tract is divided into two parts. The upper urinary tract includes the kidneys and ureters. The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and urethra.

What are the types of urinary tract infections?

cystitis :- infection of the bladder.

urethritis :- infection of the urethra.

pyelonephritis :- infection of the kidneys.

Why UTI is more common in Female than Male ?

Length of Urethra :- The biggest reason is female anatomy, particularly with regards to the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. While the urethra is an exit for urine, it is also an entrance for bacteria to get into the urinary tract. The female urethra is much shorter in length in women than men.

Menopause :- Higher susceptibility to UTIs also comes with going through menopause. As you age, and especially as estrogen levels drop during this time, your vaginal tissue becomes thinner and more prone to infection. Treatment with an estrogen cream or pills is being studied as a way to prevent UTIs in menopausal and postmenopausal women.

Pregnancy:– Pregnant women are also more prone to getting UTIs. Severe infections  cause problems for you and your baby. It’s important to call your obstetrician right away if you think you have a UTI so that you can treat the infection early.

What are the causes of UTI?

UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria. But the defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.

What are the factors can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI?

• Being sexually active
• Having difficulty fully emptying the bladder
• Having a condition that causes a blockage in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones
• Having diabetes
• Having recently used a catheter
• Having had a previous UTI
• Having vesico ureteral reflux Trusted Source, a condition that causes the urine to flow backward from the bladder and up toward the kidneys
• Having poor hygiene.

What symptoms will develop if you have UTI ?

• Pain or burning when you using bathroom
• Fever, tiredness or shakiness
• An urge to use the bathroom often and often
• Pressure in the lower belly
• Urine that smells bad and looks cloudy or reddish
• Nausea or back pain
• Lower urinary tract infection – Dysuria, urgency, nocturia, Increased frequency of urination
• Upper urinary tract infection – Fever, flank pain, vomiting malaise

Tests & procedures used to diagnose UTI

A doctor will usually diagnose a UTI after asking about a person’s symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. In some case, a doctor may culture the urine to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. If someone has recurrent UTIs, a doctor may request further diagnostic testing to determine if anatomical or functional issues are the cause. Such tests may include:

Diagnostic imaging: This involves assessing the urinary tract using ultrasound, CT and MRI scanning, radiation tracking, or X-rays.

Urodynamics: This procedure determines how well the urinary tract stores and releases urine.

Cystoscopy: This allows the doctor to see inside the bladder and urethra with a camera lens inserted through the urethra via a long thin tube.

General Management of UTI

• Plenty of water would help to excrete the bacteria by diluting the urine and frequent urination.
• Food items that cause dehydration such as coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks should be avoided.
• A hot water bottle would relieve the pain in the abdomen.
• Proper hygiene should be maintained.
• Ask the female patient the clean the area from forwards to backwards.

How Homeopathy Helps in UTI?

Homeopathy encourages natural healing at cellular level, in this process it strengthens immune response and immune function. Homeopathy restores the natural ecosystem of the body that was affected by illness in such a way that virus/ bacteria no longer find it conducive for their existence. They will, in other words no longer be able to trigger the illness or go on rampage in the body. Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic remedies for UTI are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution alongwith the pathological condition. Here a few medicines are explained for your reference, though for the treatment one should get consulted by a homeopath to get fast relief.

Apis Mellifica:- Apis is made from a honeybee venom that has been reported as antimicrobial property of bee venom against bacterias, viruses, fungi and both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. It makes changes in the bacterial membrane and causes destruction of the bacterial cell membrane of E coli that is the most causative agent and thus helps in the treatment of inflammations and infections. Apis has a profound effect upon the genito-urinary organs. Its main action is the retention or suppression of urine. This remedy is appropriate for people who feel an intense urge to urinate, yet can only do so in drops. As soon as a few drops collect in the bladder the urging comes, constant, ineffectual urging.

Lycopodium: it possesses analgesic, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,  neuroprotective, immunomodulatory, and hepato-protective properties. It is one of the indicated remedy in urinary tract infection. It is the chief remedy for “red sand” in the urine. The patient feels much pain in the back in region of kidneys, which is relieved after the discharge of urine containing the sand. An important feature of Lycopodium is polyuria during the night. The patient has to arise many times at night and pass large quantities of urine.

Berberis vulgaris:- It possesses a significant antibacterial and antifungal activity against Staphylococcus aureus  and different Candida species.  It destroys the cell wall structure and cell membrane integrity of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and plays a synergistic antimicrobial role. It acts more on the kidneys and bladder than on any other parts of the body. The patient feels constant sensation as if some urine is remained after urinating. There is so severe sore feeling in the lumbar region, in the region of the kidneys, that he can bear no pressure. Feeling of burning at urethra even when not urinating.

Staphysagria:-  It is the most promising source of potential antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. This remedy is used when UTIs that develop as a result of any sexual activity. You may experience a constant urge to urinate and feel pressure in the bladder. In males prostatic enlargements which cause infections in the urinary tract can also be treated using this remedy.

Why Cosmic Homeo Healing Centre ?

At our Cosmic Homeo Healing Centre, under the able guidance of second generation homeopathic doctor, Dr Mahavrat  S Patel, our team of experts have halped thousands of cases of UTI with homeopathic medicines for permanent and long lasting relief.