Urinary Tract In Tact

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections are very common in females and affect almost all between the age of puberty and post menopause. This is an infection caused by a foreign body which is harmful to the host. These foreign bodies are in form of micro organisms like E coli, Chlamydia and micoplasma. The secretions and toxins secreted by these micro organisms within the urinary system gives rise to infections.

The most affected part of the urinary system is the urethra, the short opening at the end of the urinary tract in women which allows to let out urine from the kidneys. When these are infected, the common symptoms include burning sensation, itching, constant urge to urinate, frequent but less urination each visit and a feeling of a full bladder, nearly always.

A serious problem

A UTI is not just a simple infection. Since it infects the inside of the lady’s body, there is a great risk of the infection to spread further into various visceral organs. The risk is further pronounced if the lady is pregnant. There are complications of premature delivery, low birth weight of the new born, infection in the new born too and may even result in death of the new born.

The association of pregnancy and UTI doesn’t end here. Post delivery or any surgery, catheterization is a normal process to avoid pressure on the bladder while urination. In this process, a catheter in the form of a tube is inserted within the urethra through the vaginal opening. This insertion also leads to UTI at times.

Triggers of UTI

E Coli is a micro organism in the colon, a part of the large intestine. The anal opening of the large intestine is very near the urethral opening. The proximity between the two openings increases the risk of E coli being transmitted to the urinary tract. Poor genital hygiene and sexual transmission of micro organisms further deteriorate already existing infections and increase the risk of infections as such.

Complications from UTI

The nuances of UTI are manifold and have long implications. Kidney stones, cystitis, kidney failure are some of the severe repercussions. The cloudy appearance of urine and the strong odour from urine are symptoms of a long age urinary tract infection.

Prevent UTI by

• Drinking loads of water daily
• Maintaining proper genital hygiene
• Never resist the urge to urinate
• Urinate after sexual intercourse
• Use cotton undergarments
• If stones are detected, water and solvent intake should be further increased.

Therapy and treatment of Urinary Tract Infections

Though prevention is better than cure there are circumstances due to which a patient may have already developed UTI and be looking for a therapy. Antibiotics , if prescribed are always to be continued for a specific time depending on the dose and potency of the medication. However, ointments, herbal anti-inflammatory products and othe antiseptics can add value to the therapy.

In Ayurveda, Chandraprabha Vati is recommended for Urinary Tract Infections.

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