UTI – COMMON RECURRENT PROBLEM IN ADULT WOMENS WITH HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH

Urinary tract infections are very common in adult women and may become recurrent. The urine is normally sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract. The most common is cystitis, an infection of the bladder, but infection may occur in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys. Infection is caused by the growth of the gut bacteria within the urinary system, but in many cases bacteria are not found on urine culture, despite obvious symptoms of bladder discomfort.

Causes of UTI in Women’s

·        Over 50 percent of all women will experience at least one UTI during their lifetime, with 20-30 percent experiencing recurrent UTIs. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 1 in 5 women experience a UTI at some point in her life.

·        Women are more likely to develop UTIs than men, due to anatomical differences; the urethra is shorter in women than in men, and it is closer to the anus, making it more likely that bacteria are transferred to the bladder.

·        90% of urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria Escherichia coli, commonly known as E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the bowel (colon) and around the anus. These bacteria can move from the area around the anus to the opening of the urethra. The two most common causes of this are improper wiping after using toilet and sexual intercourse. Usually, the act of emptying the bladder (urinating) flushes the bacteria out of the urethra. If there are too many bacteria, urinating may not stop their spread. The bacteria can travel up the urethra to the bladder, where they can grow and cause an infection.

·        Sexual intercourse can introduce larger numbers of bacteria into the bladder because the motion of sex can transfer bacteria from the bowel or vaginal cavity into the urethra.. Urinating after intercourse within 30 mins seems to decrease the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection.

·        Constipation - Being constipated makes it difficult to empty bladder, which means trapped bacteria have lots of time to grow and cause infection. Also diarrhea or fecal incontinence can increase risk of getting a UTI, because bacteria from loose stool can easily make its way into vagina and urethra. Wipe from front to back whenever you use the bathroom, but be especially careful to do so after a bowel movement.

·        Uncontrolled diabetes -  When blood sugar is high, the excess sugar is removed through the urine, This makes a favorable environment for bacterial overgrowth

·        Holding our urine for 6 hours or more may make UTIs more common, as bacteria that does get into the bladder has lots of time to overgrow between voids.

·        Dehydration - Drinking plenty of water not only quenches thirst, but it also wards off UTIs during hot summer months, We should always try to drink at least half our body weight in ounces, When we drink plenty of water, we help flush out bacteria that can cause UTIs.

·        Birth control - Using contraceptive devices, resulting hormone shift could lead to a change in normal bacteria in vagina, which could up the odds of a UTI. Use of diaphragms and spermicides can also increase chances of developing UTI.

·        Feminine products - Dirty pads and tampons are a place where bacteria can grow very easily, so change them frequently to prevent urinary tract infections while on mensural period. Wearing cotton helps prevent excessive moisture that causes bacteria to grow down there.

• Kidney stones - These mineral deposits increases risk of getting a UTI, because they can block the urinary tract and back up urine, giving bacteria plenty of time to grow.

Clinical manifestations

Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include: A strong, persistent urge to urinate, A burning sensation when urinating, Passing frequent, small amounts of urine, Urine that appears cloudy, Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — a sign of blood in the urine, Strong-smelling urine, Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone

Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of urinary tract is infected.

Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) - Upper back and side (flank) pain, High fever, Shaking and chills, Nausea and Vomiting

Bladder (cystitis) - Pelvic pressure, Lower abdomen discomfort, Frequent, painful urination, Blood in urine

Urethra (urethritis) - Burning with urination Discharge

Complications of a UTI may include: Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience three or more UTIs. Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI. Increased risk in pregnant women of delivering low birth weight or premature infants. Urethral narrowing (stricture) in men from recurrent urethritis, previously seen with gonococcal urethritis. Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection works its way up your urinary tract to your kidneys.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis will usually be made after asking about the symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. A method of collecting urine called "clean catch" is used, which is where a person washes their genital area before collecting a urine sample mid-flow. This helps to prevent bacteria from around the genital area getting caught in the sample.

Prevention

There are several measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing a UTI:

·        Drink lots of water, urinate frequently and Keep the genital area clean

·        Avoid fluids such as alcohol and caffeine that can irritate the bladder

·        Urinate shortly after sex

·        Wipe from front to back after urinating and bowel movement

·        Showers are preferred to baths and avoid using oils. Sanitary pads or menstrual cups are preferred to tampons

·        Avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide for birth control

·        Avoid using any perfumed products in the genital area

·        Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing to keep the area around the urethra dry

Management

Natural Treatment

·        Cranberry Juice produces hippuric acid in the urine. This acidifies urine and inhibits bacterial growth. Try to drink 1 litre of UNSWEETENED cranberry juice daily.

·        Take one teaspoon of colloidal silver morning and night. This is a natural antibiotic that destroys bacteria, viruses, and fungal growth.

·        Vitamin C acidifies urine and thereby inhibits bacterial growth.

·        Celery, parsley, watermelon are natural diuretics – drink juice made with these fruits and vegetables.

·        The most important thing is to drink – lots! Pure water is good – try to drink a glass every hour.

·        Stay away from coffee, alcohol, all sweetened drinks, sugar, and processed foods.

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

The homoeopathic treatment for recurrent UTIs should be designed for each patient individually because each case is very different from that of another person with UTI. In conventional medicine antibiotics are commonly used to treat recurrent urinary tract infections but they are not always the answer. Antibiotics are often effective in acute UTIs but their long-term use in chronic UTIs rarely prevents recurrences and is usually followed by development of fungal infections and antibiotic resistance. Homoeopathic medicines boost the immune system and enhance resistance to infection. They are effective with no side effects and are safe for children and pregnant women. Homoeopathic remedies for UTI have a great role to play in curing the infection and also in stopping their recurrence. Moreover homoeopathic medicines are very safe. They use body’s own defences to fight the infection. Once treated with homeopathic medicines recurrence of Urinary Tract Infection greatly reduces and eventually stops. It is advised that a qualified homoeopathic doctor should be consulted. The top homoeopathic remedies for treating UTI are

Indicated Remedies	Indications
Cantharis	Strong urging to urinate—with cutting pains that are felt before the urine passes, as well as during and after—may indicate a need for this remedy. Only several drops pass at a time, with a scalding sensation. The person may feel as if the bladder has not been emptied, still feeling a constant urge to urinate.
Clematis	This remedy may be indicated if a person has to urinate frequently with only a small amount being passed. A feeling of constriction is felt in the urinary passage, and the flow may be interrupted, or there may be dribbling afterward. A tingling sensation may occur, lasting long after urination is finished.
Equisetum:	If cystitis is accompanied by dull but distressing pain and a feeling of fullness in the bladder, even after urinating, this remedy may be helpful. Urging and discomfort are more intense when the bladder has recently been emptied, improving over time as the bladder become more full.
Apis mellifica:	This remedy is indicated when the person frequently needs to urinate, but only small quantities are passed. Stinging and burning sensations are felt (especially with the last few drops) and the person may also experience soreness in the abdomen. Heat and touch make the symptoms worse, and cold applications, cool bathing, and open air bring relief. A lack of thirst is another indication that Apis may be needed.
Berberis vulgaris:	Cystitis with twinges of cutting pain, or a burning feeling that extends to the urethra and its opening, may indicate a need for this remedy. The passage may also burn at times when no attempt at urination is being made. After emptying the bladder, the person feels as if some urine still remains inside. Urging and discomfort are often worse from walking.
Chimaphila umbellata:	If a person has a troublesome urge to urinate but has to strain (or even stand up and lean forward) to make it pass, this remedy may be useful. A scalding sensation may be felt while the urine flows, with a feeling of straining afterward.
Causticum	In paralytic conditions about the bladder Causticum deserves first place. It is one of our great remedies in enuresis, and its characteristics are involuntary micturition at night in sleep, when coughing, sneezing or blowing the nose, showing a weakness of the sphincter.
Mercurius corrosives:	Has tenesmus of the bladder with intense burning. The burning is less, but the tenesmus is greater, than in Cantharis. The passing of the urine drop by drop reminds of Aconite, which has the same symptoms.
Lycopodium	This remedy may be helpful if a person has to urinate frequently during the night and passes large amounts of urine. Or the person may feel a painful urge, but has to strain to make the urine flow. Pain may be felt in the back before the urine passes. (If fever is present, the urine has a reddish color, or discomfort is felt in the kidney region, the person should see a doctor.)
Nux vomica	Irritable bladder with a constant need to urinate, passing only small amounts, suggests a need for this remedy. Burning or cramping pain may be felt in the bladder area, with an itching sensation in the urethra while the urine passes. The person may feel very irritable, impatient, and chilly. Symptoms may be relieved by hot baths or other forms of warmth.
Terebinth	The urine of Terebinth is one of its most characteristic features. It is smoky, turbid, depositing a sediment like coffee grounds, which indicates the presence of disintegrated blood cells. Haematuria from venous congestion of the kidneys calls often for Terebinth. It has burning during micturition and most painful strangury; the urine, too, may contain albumen and has the odor of violets.
Sarsaparilla	This remedy is often useful in cystitis and often helps when symptoms are unclear, or if other remedies have not been effective. Frequent urging is felt, with burning pain at the end of urination. Urine passes when the person is standing up, but only dribbling occurs while sitting. Flakes or sediment are sometimes seen in the urine. (Sarsaparilla is sometimes helpful when stones are forming or the kidneys are involved; however, these conditions need a doctor’s care.)
Staphysagria	This remedy is often indicated for cystitis that develops in a woman after sexual intercourse, especially if sexual activity is new to her, or if cystitis occurs after every occasion of having sex. Pressure may be felt in the bladder after urinating, as if it is still not empty. A sensation that a drop of urine is rolling through the urethra, or a constant burning feeling, are other indications. Staphysagria is also useful for cystitis that develops after illnesses with extended bed rest, or after the use of catheters.
Coli Bacillinum	It is a near specific medicine for treating e-coli infection. It helps in treating the recurrence of E coli Infection.