The urinary tract consists of the bladder, kidneys, urethra and ureters. A urinary tract infection or UTI is an infection which is a result of the presence of pathogenic organisms in any of the structures that involves the urinary tract. These organisms can be bacteria, fungi or parasite. But this seems to be an extensive definition of urinary tract infections. A lot of authors like to use more terms which are specific in order to localize the urinary tract infection into the most important structural segments involved. These include a urethral infection called urethritis, bladder infection called cystitis, infection of the ureter and kidney infection referred to as pyelonephritis. Some structures are usually included when discussing UTIs since these may result to or caused by urinary tract infection. These structures are associated with or anatomically in close proximity to the urinary tract. Examples include the vagina, epididymis and prostate. In theory, they are not urinary tract infections that is why they will only be mentioned briefly in this article.

UTIs occur more frequently in women than in men. This is exactly the reason for the 8.3 million visits to the doctor every year. Even if several of the infections are not easily noticed, UTIs can lead to problems ranging from dysuria or painful and burning sensation upon urination to damage of a vital organ and even will cause death. As active organs, the kidneys will produce an average of approximately 1.5 quarts of urine every day. They are also responsible in keeping electrolytes and fluids in balance, assist in the elimination of waste products and in hormone production that will aid in the formation of red blood cells. When the kidneys are injured or destructed due to infection, important functions will ultimately be damaged as well or lost.

Some investigators affirm that UTIs cannot be transmitted from one individual to another. However, other investigators would also dispute that UTIs are contagious that is why sex partners are advised to abstain contact until such time the UTI is no longer apparent. There is no disagreement regarding UTIs as a result of sexually transmitted disease or STD organisms. Infections like Chlamydia and gonorrhea can be transmitted easily between two people and can be extremely contagious.

UTI Symptoms in Adults

In adults, the causes of UTI are diabetes, pregnancy, use of antibiotics and many more. It is also believed that sexual intercourse is one of the reasons for UTIs in adults. Since there is a shorter distance between the urethra and anus in women, they are more susceptible to this disease. Some of the most significant symptoms of urinary tract infection in both men and women include presence of pain and burning sensation and difficulty urinating. Listed below are urinary tract infection symptoms that occur in female and male alike.

• Presence of pain when urinating
• Finding it difficult to urinate
• Presence of burning sensation when urinating
• Blood is visible in the urine
• Urine that has a foul smell
• Fever that is low-grade
• Cramps or pain on the lower abdomen
• Chills
• Unsettled stomach
• Queasiness
• Painful groin
• A general feeling of being sick

In women, one of the symptoms of UTI or urinary tract infection is presence of pain during sexual intercourse. Take note that the symptoms will become worst once the infection reaches the kidneys. The classical symptoms of infections that affect the kidneys are severe pain on the lower abdomen, painful back, pain that occurs at the side together with difficulty in urinating. In older individuals, some of the significant symptoms of urinary tract infection are abdominal pain that is severe together with nausea and vomiting. They will also find it hard to urinate but other symptoms such as chills and fever may not be present. However, they may experience shortness of breath and cough.

UTI Symptoms in Children

Urinary tract infection is also very common in children similar to that of the adults. Several of the reasons for the occurrence of UTI in children include not being able to maintain proper hygiene when done with toilet use, wearing of clothes which are tight fitting, holding the urine for a long period of time and many more. The UTI symptoms in young people are relatively identical to the symptoms experienced by adults. Listed below are the symptoms of UTI which can be seen in infants and children.

• The urge to urinate more often and with pain
• Urine that has a foul or strong smell
• For infants and babies, they experience bed wetting
• Fever that is high grade
• Pain on the lower abdomen
• Pain on the lower back
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Since urinary tract infection is known to be a bacterial infection, this can be effectively treated with the use of antibiotics. It would be wise to consult a physician at once and seek for antibiotics to treat UTI when both adults and children will observe the symptoms of urinary tract infection. If the infection has only reached up to the urethra or urinary bladder, this can be treated for a short time. But if the infection has reached the kidneys, a person will experience dangerous consequences. Also, the healing time will be lengthened. Considering that an infection affecting the kidney could be life-threatening, it is very important to identify the symptoms of UTI the soonest possible time and start with the treatment at once. People who are suffering from recurrent infections and for UTI treatment with complications are usually prescribed with antibiotics for a long period of time.

UTI Treatment

The treatment for UTI must be made in such a way that it is made for every patient individually. It is usually according to how sick the person is the pathogens which cause the infection as well as the susceptibility of the pathogens to the treatment made. Usually, patients who are extremely ill will need antibiotics to be administered intravenously and admission to a medical facility. Most likely, they will have kidney infection or pyelonephritis which will spread to the bloodstream. Some individuals may suffer from infection that is milder in form or cystitis and they will recover quickly through the use of oral antibiotics. But still some people will suffer UTI as a result of pathogens that will cause sexually transmitted diseases. Hence, they will be required to take more than one oral antibiotic. Take note that all the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor have to be taken even if the symptoms of the person have already disappeared earlier. People who are not sufficiently treated will likely suffer from reoccurrence of UTI and antibiotic resistance of the pathogen.

Over the Counter UTI Treatments

Painkillers – These are integral components in the treatment of UTI and are available over the counter. Even if medications for pain do not aim at the underlying cause, they have remarkable contribution in the management of the symptoms of UTI. It is common knowledge that the onset of UTI is accompanied with pain at the rectal or pelvic area. Pain relievers for UTI which are sold under different brands such as Uristat and Azo are helpful in reducing the discomfort.

Cystex – Anyone can depend on Cystex when it comes to improving the symptoms caused by UTI. This is a powerful combination between an antibacterial drug called methenamine and a painkiller called sodium salicylate. Methenamine is capable of restricting the growth of bacteria while the sodium salicylate is extremely effective in the relief of pain. Cystex is considered to be the best UTI treatment that is available over the counter. It is the combined effect of these substances that will make UTI easier to manage. There will be considerable reduction of the painful sensation when urinating due to the intake of Cystex tablets. Thus, people who want to prevent the bacteria from spreading and stop the pain because of UTI will not really be disappointed if they use Cystex.

Vitamin C Supplements – In order to effectively fight against bacterial infection, it is important to strengthen the immune system of the body. This can be easily be done by the use of vitamin C supplements. It has been observed that the amount of fighting cells against infection will increase if there is adequate vitamin C present. As a result of this condition, the body will be able to fight off the infection effectively. Therefore, it will not take long for the infection to be driven away with frequent intake of vitamin C supplements at the exact dosage.

In cases where UTI treatment available over the counter will not be able to improve the condition of the patient, it is essential to contact the physician to become aware of prescription drugs. Most likely, the doctor will place the patient in an antibiotic course within a week in order to completely cure the UTI infection.

Urinary tract infection home remedies

Prevention is said to be the best home remedy for urinary tract infection. But even if there are plenty of home remedies available in various websites, publications which deal with holistic medicine, friends as well as family members, there is still controversy regarding these in the medical literature because only a few were studied sufficiently. Nevertheless, some remedies will still be mentioned since there may be positive effects from these remedies found at home. The reader should make sure that while reading regarding these remedies which would mean correct, cure or relieve, they must not fail to see the constant admonition that urinary tract infections could be harmful. When relief is not given or in case the symptoms felt will get worse after a day or two, it is vital to seek medical care immediately. In reality, a lot of articles regarding UTI remedies will actually provide a description about the ways of reducing or preventing UTIs. Listed below are examples of home treatments which are helpful in preventing UTIs. They may also have an effect on the continuing infection and will not likely endanger the people affected.

• Increasing fluid intake can be helpful as it washes out the organisms inside the urinary tract. As a result, pathogens will find it difficult to hold on or stay near to the human cells.

• Make sure not to delay when emptying the bladder or urination. This has similar effects as that of increase fluid intake. The number of pathogens that will reach the bladder is eventually reduced.

• Consumption of cranberries or blueberries or drinking their juice that is unsweetened. Drinking the unsweetened juice of the cranberry is a natural method of overcoming urinary tract infection. Cranberry juice has proanthocyanidin, a substance that will inhibit bacterial activity resulting to UTI. This kind of substance will not allow the bacteria to attach to the body cells. In effect, the duration of the UTI is shortened. A fully developed infection occurs when the bacteria bonds with the host cells. In addition, proanthocyanidin present in cranberry juice can obstruct the bacteria’s adhesion mechanism. Thus, the bacteria are prevented from sticking to the cells. This would mean that the substance will disable the microbes which could be vital in eliminating the infection at the earliest phase. Drinking two to three glasses of cranberry juice is beneficial in relieving UTI symptoms and also speeds up the healing process of infection.

• Consumption of pineapple: Pineapple has bromelain which consist of anti-inflammatory properties that will reduce the symptoms of UTI.

• Vitamin C is capable of increasing the urine acidity in order to reduce the growth of bacteria.

• Oregon grape root, aromatherapy, Echinacea, Yogurt and baking soda are known to be effective in the treatment of UTI. However, the mechanisms of how they function are still not clear.

• The dilemma one will encounter with these remedies is that there are no available standard testing data as well as results with the exact amounts or concentrations for these compounds. For instance, it is not clear how much cranberry juice can be considered effective to treat a woman suffering from cystitis. Majority of publications could not answer to this question and there are several individuals who would say that the sweetened juice of the cranberry can only make the infection worse. Also, it is helpful to read the whole label for these products since most of them will have a warning at the end of the advertisement which states that the product does not declare to cure UTIs. If people opt for home remedies, they should take note that when the symptoms will not improve or will only get worse, medical care is very necessary.

• Tests available over the counter are useful in detecting the probable evidence for a urinary tract infection. Example of these tests is the AZO test strips. These tests are convenient to use and can give out probable diagnosis once the instructions are followed carefully. If the test result comes out positive, this may encourage the individual affected to seek the care of healthcare specialists.