     |
Urinary Tract Infection
Although UTIs occur in both men and women, women tend to suffer more from it because of the anatomical difference. Women's urethra tube is shorter than men's, and the opening is just a short distance away from the vaginal tract and the rectal openings. Because of this, there is a higher risk of bacteria from these adjacent areas to scuttle up the tube into the bladder. Among infants, UTI occurs more often with boys, but among toddlers, girls are more prone. Uncircumcised baby boys tend to accumulate bacteria under the foreskin. Young children with severe constipation problems are also more prone to UTIs.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) People suffering from UTI often have an urgent need to urinate, and experience a painful burning sensation while urinating. The urgent need to urinate may cause uncontrollable loss of urine (incontinence), especially in older people. Urinary frequency (in small amounts) also increases during the night. Fever is absent during UTI, but some may feel pain in the lower abdomen (above the pubic bone) and often in the lower back as well. The urine is often cloudy, with strong odor, and may contain visible blood in some.
Causes of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)A healthy person with good immune defense system is able to fend off bladder and kidney infections. However, when there is stress, illness, physical injury or nutritional deficiency, immune defenses weaken , allowing the bacteria to take over. Pregnancy, menopause and sexual intercourse also increase the risks of UTI.Urinary tract infections are almost always caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium, although some viruses, fungi and parasites can also infect the urinary tract. A majority of infections are caused by bacteria entering from the intestine or vagina. Bacteria that enter through the urinary tract are often flushed out when the bladder is being emptied. Viruses: The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) may infect the urethra, making urination painful and emptying of bladder difficult. Fungi: A common type of fungi that causes UTI is Candida (causing candidiasis). This usually happens to people whose immune system is impaired. Parasites: Trichomoniasis, caused by a type of microscopic parasite, is a sexually transmitted disease that produces greenish yellow and frothy discharge from the vagina in women. There is usually no symptoms in men, although it can cause inflammation of the prostate gland. Schistosomiasis is another kind of worm that can affect the kidneys, ureters and bladder. Persistent infection of this kind may eventually result in bladder cancer. Malaria is a disease caused by another type of microscopic parasite carried by mosquitoes. It destroys the small blood vessels of the kidney and can rapidly damage red blood cells, causing acute kidney failure.
Diet /Lifestyle SuggestionsThe most important dietary recommendation that I can offer anyone who suffers from UTI is to increase the consumption of liquids. Drink plenty of liquids in the form of pure water, herbal teas, fresh fruit and vegetable juices diluted with water. These liquids help frequent flushing out of the bladder. Drinking juices high in vitamin C also helps to provide an environment in your urine that is hostile to most bacteria. Avoid foods and drinks rich in sugar. Curtail your intake of table sugar, soft drinks, concentrated sweet fruit drinks, coffee and alcoholic beverages. Bacteria thrive in a sugary environment as it impairs the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria. Other foods to avoid are spicy foods, fats, dairy products, red meats and shellfish. These foods are acid-forming (not to be mistaken with acid tasting food like the citrus fruits). Acidity from these foods increase the bacterial infection.
Foods high in zinc also help by producing white blood cells and eliminate bacteria. Some of the best sources of zinc are oysters, brewer's yeast, ginger, beef liver, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, egg yolks, peanuts, oats, almonds and tofu.
Other foods that are especially helpful in treating UTI are as follows ...
Drink a big glass of fresh cranberry or blueberry juice first thing in the morning and wait at least half an hour before you have breakfast. Drink daily till you're healed from urinary tract infection. Besides all the healthful properties of these juices, they are also very effective in restraining the E.coli that causes UTI. They help strip the bacteria off the bladder walls. If you have a tendency for recurrent UTI, drink these powerful juices regularly even when you don't have UTI.
Drink kale and/or spinach juice diluted in coconut water. If you can't find coconut, substitute with cantaloupe juice. Throw in one or two inches of ginger for that extra spicy kick.
The high content of vitamin C in grapefruit and guava juices makes excellent healing food for UTI sufferers. Juice either fruit with wheatgrass or alfalfa sprouts and dilute with water if necessary. Grapefruit can be rather bitter and unpalatable. Squeeze in a couple of lime or half a lemon for the tangy taste. The acidic taste (not acid-forming) from the citrus food helps inhibit the growth of bacteria.
|
