Urinary Tract Infection World Class Holistic Homeopathy
Treatment
URINARY SYSTEMS – Urinary tract
infection
Passing of urine is so very important to clean our blood or body. Urine is
normally sterile, till it gets lodged in the bladder. The main contamination
occurs from urethra which usually has bacteria. The problem in secretion of
urine, its storage and carrying can reflect as infection. During the infective
process, the natural defence mechanism increases the frequency of urination to
wash away the infective bacteria. Normally, people urinate about 6 to 8 times a
day.
This will go up to 20-30 times in case of urinary tract infection. But, due
to frequent urination, the volume of urine goes on decreasing. In most
complicated cases, it may even cause passing of few drops or complete absence
of urine (Anuria) or inability to pass urine.
The urinary tract infection, commonly abbreviated as UTI, is the infection
of the urinary system. It may be due to bacterial infection or due to
concentrated acidic urine which can irritate the mucous membranes of the
urinary tract which attracts or is followed by bacterial infection. As
infection proceeds or persists, the mucous membrane of the urinary tract
becomes swollen and obstructs the pathway of urine, so that urine is passed
with great difficulty. When the swelling obstructs and blocks the way of
flushing out the bacteria, symptoms (discomfort and pain) and complications
begin.
Incidences and risk personalities
·
Women – are more likely to have urinary tract infections
since anatomically the urethra, vagina and anus are present very close to each
other. So, any infection or contamination can easily spread to the other. Also,
unlike the male urethra, the female urethra is very short i.e. only 1½ inches.
So any infection can easily spread into the bladder. People who are more prone
to infection are:
·
Women who often suffer from white discharges,
constipation, etc.
·
Old women who suffer from poor vascularity, loss of skin
texture, dryness and cracks of the parts, prolapse uterus or vagina, etc.
·
Pregnant women due to change of position of the urinary
tract
Men
·
Old men are more likely to suffer from UTI recurrently
since their enlarged prostate can act as a reservoir for bacteria
·
Phimosis (condition where the foreskin of the penis
cannot be retracted fully) which obstructs the pathway of the urine and spreads
the infection
Babies – girls suffer more than boys. The suffering is
mainly due to stool contamination on using diaper or not being clean. Affected
babies will cry during urination
Sexually active adults – Sexual activity can cause UTI in
women if the parts are dry and crack during activity. Also sexual activity can
contaminate the urethra with vaginal secretions.
Diabetic patients – sugar excreted in the urine helps bacteria to
grow, so such patients have recurrent infection unless properly treated.
Causes:
Everyone might have suffered from UTI at one time or the other, after
travel for a long time or after reduced intake of water or after heavy running
or after sex or after operative procedures which involves catheterisation of
the bladder for passing urine or bathing for a long time in contaminated water,
etc. What is the main cause behind it? It is the bacteria. It enters the
urinary system when there is lack of hygienic condition or weak resistance.
Some of the other causes are:
1) Lack of frequent urination or washing out the bacteria or stagnation of
urine
2) Presence of residual urine in prostate problems or bladder complaints
3) Lack of proper function of urethral sphincter
4) Feacal contamination of urethra or high infection of E.coli bacteria in
the alimentary tract
5) Reflux of urine into the ureter, when there is obstruction or stenosis
of urethra or uretric valve damage
6) Diseases like diabetes, systemic lupus erythematous, kidney disorders,
sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, cancer, etc., which weaken the immune
system
Symptoms
Symptoms are usually alarming and make the patient restless. Symptoms
usually vary according to the type and place of infection. In many cases,
routine urine test often reveals the pus cells and bacteria, but sometimes
there won’t be a symptom at all. In such cases, there is a greater risk of
getting deeper infection due to constant infection.
The common signs of UTI are:
·
Frequent uncontrollable urge for urination with great
fear of pain
·
Very little urine or even few drops may be passed at
times due to frequent urination
·
Lower abdominal pain with fever usually associated with
rigor
·
Burning pain at the start or during or after urination
·
High coloured and strong smelling urine
·
Bloody or cloudy urine which indicate the presence of
blood cells. If the infection is greater, occurrence of blood in urine can
indicate the location of infection. If blood appears at the start of urination
and then if urine flow is normal in colour – it indicates infection in the
urethra. If blood appears pinkish i.e. totally mixed with urine, then the
infection may be in the bladder or above it. If blood appears microscopically,
then it could be due to anaemia, mild infection, etc.
·
Nausea, vomiting and low back pain are also associated
with UTI
Infection of urethra (Urethritis) often occurs after sexual
activity. It is the most common symptom of sexually transmitted diseases. It
can also be due to faecal contamination. The urethritis pain will be more in the
beginning of urination and diminishes with the flow.
Infection of bladder (Cystitis) – It is often noticed with
frequent, little urination since the infected bladder cannot hold urine for a
long time. Also, it cannot empty fully due to pain while contraction. The sharp
pain with catch of breath during the middle and end of urination usually
indicates bladder infection.
Infection of ureter (Ureteritis) is often identified with colicky
pain in the lower abdomen or flanks. The main cause of infection is due to the
descending of renal stone or from bacterial infection from the reflux urine
which enters the ureter from the bladder.
Infection of kidney (Pyelonephritis) occurs in untreated cases of UTI
with pain in the lumbar area and has other symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
Effects of UTI
·
Urinary tract infection can reflect in BP due to deranged
body water metabolism
·
It can also cause weakness or anaemia due to excretion of
essential things like glucose, proteins, blood cells, etc. These occurrences
are mainly due to improper absorption in the kidney due to fast elimination of
urine to wash off the bacteria.
Diagnosis of UTI
Diagnosis of UTI in the initial period itself is essential to arrest
the
progress of the disease and complications. So, if there is any lumbar pain
or lower abdomen pain or burning urination, it is better to do urinalysis. If
there is any findings or if complaints persist even after routine treatment, it
is better to evaluate with culture and imaging studies like X-rays, IVP,
ultrasound scan, CT, MRI, etc. Finally, if necessary, cystoscope can help in
analysing the wall of the bladder or urinary tract. Early diagnosis & care
for UTI in pregnant women with routine urinalysis should be advised since BP,
renal damage can complicate pregnancy and delivery.
Ways to prevent recurrent UTI
General precaution
Take
Plenty of water, tender coconut water, fruit juices, buttermilk, lime
juice, etc.
Diet rich in vegetables, spinach, radish, cucumber, fruits, garlic, onion and
dairy products
Develop habits of
Urinating often to wash off the bacteria and to avoid stagnation of urine
Wearing loose and cotton dresses
Taking care while cleaning the anus after passing stool, to avoid contamination
of the urinary tract
Urination after sexual activity since it can wash away the bacteria
Avoid
Sprays and lotions used for getting quick erection and better sex
Spermicidal condoms which can cause irritation
Use
Lubricated condoms
Lubricants if there is dryness of parts during sexual activity
Other methods of birth control measures, if copper T irritates and causes UTI
often
For getting fast relief during UTI
Take
·
Plenty of water since water is the first medicine. The
water not only washes away the bacteria, but also dilutes the concentrated
urine and bacterial colonies, so that the symptom will disappear at the
earliest
·
Barley water and tender coconut water often
Vitamin C and zinc for fast healing
Avoid
·
Sweets, coffee, tea, beer, alcohol and cold beverages
·
Sexual activity
Controlling urine for a long time
Complications of UTI
If left untreated, complications
often occur. The bacteria which enters the urinary system first irritates the
system and later on infects the kidney, putting one’s life in danger. Finally
kidney damage occurs and causes Anuria (absence of urine). Catheterisation or
other surgical procedures may be required to let out urine in cases of total
obstruction. Most people give up treatment mid-way and then end up with
complications. So, difficulty in urination or painful urination or UTI should
be interrogated and treated to eliminate the bacteria completely from the body.
General treatment:
Normally, powerful antibiotics are prescribed for treating UTI. Even
then, some suffer from UTI constantly. In such cases, the bacteria may
become
stubborn and persist due to lesser intake of water or infrequent urination.
So, along with treatment, everyone should also take precautions and preventive
measures. A course of antibiotics may be required to root out the bacteria.
Stopping the medication just after getting better should be cautioned for the
main reason of recurrent stubborn infection i.e. if the patient didn’t complete
the course of antibiotics to eliminate the entire colonies of bacteria, they
will continue to have bacteria in the urinary tract. Also, it should be
informed that it is better to do a culture test after completing treatment to
confirm the absence of bacteria. The recurrent suffering or taking antibiotics
constantly will usually make the bacteria immune to drugs or antibiotics.
Homeopathic approach to UTI
The symptoms of urinary tract infection can be stubborn and persistent or
recur even after routine treatment. This sort of immune tendency of the
bacteria can be aborted easily by Homeopathy. Nowadays, bacteria are suspected
to be the main causative factor of infection, but the real ultimate cause is
our susceptibility to the bacteria or disease. Homeopathic treatment usually
elevates resistance or immunity and diminishes the chance of getting
recurrent infection.
When Homeopathy treatment can help very well, what is the need to go for
other bitter or painful procedures like heavy antibiotics, IV drips,
catheterisation, etc., which can lead to complications later. Homeopathy just
ignites the curing process by stimulating the resistance force. Nature takes care
of the rest and plays in elimination of bacteria completely from our body and
prevents recurrence also. Homoeopathy not only relieves the condition, but also
cures the condition, without any persistent usage of drugs or dependency or
habit forming or side-effects. Homeopathy can give solutions for a lifetime if
we take medicines regularly and follow preventive measures. There are many
drugs in Homeopathy which can act like a catheter and bring out the urine
freely from the bladder without any surgical intervention.
Homeopathic medicines commonly used in cases of urinary complaints are Acid
Nit, Apis mel, Belladonna, Berberis vulgaris, Borax, Cantharis, Clematis,
Colocynth, Equisetum, Hydrastis, Lycopodium, Mer cor, Nux vom, Pulsatilla, Rhus
tox, Sarsaparilla, Staphysagria, Sulphur, Terebinth, etc. These Medicines
should be taken under the advice and diagnosis of a qualified Homeopath.
for new hope
Dr. S. Chidambaranathan, BHMS, MD
(Homeo)
Laxmi Homeo Clinic
24 E. New Mahalipatti Road
Madurai, TN 625 001
India
Tel: +91-452-233-8833 | +91-984-319-1011
(Mob)
Fax: +91-452-233-0196
E-mail: drcheena@yahoo.com
www.drcheena.com / www.drcheena.in
(Disclaimer
- The contents of this column are for informational purpose only. The content
is not intended to be a substitute for professional healthcare advice,
diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of healthcare professional for
any health problem or medical condition.)