Urinary Tract Infections – Symptoms, Cause and Treatment

Although it does not receive the attention it deserves, the urinary tract is one of the most important systems in the body. Many people learn about the intricate function of the urinary tract, only when something goes wrong. In most cases, that something takes the form of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), UTIs are among the most common microbial diseases, affecting 150 million people worldwide every year. Women are at a greater risk of UTIs with a lifetime risk of over 50 percent. People suffering from bladder problems, including urinary Incontinence are at a higher risk of UTIs, and it is important for them to get all the information they can about this condition.

Worrying UTIs Prevalence Numbers

Considering the importance of the kidney and other parts of the urinary tract, the prevalence of UTIs is worrying. UTIs account for more than 10 million visits to medical offices and hospitals each year in the U.S. While these infections affect adults mostly, about 1%-2% of children get urinary tract infections.

This is the second most common infection after respiratory infection. Here, you will learn more about urinary tract infections (UTIs), their symptoms, causes and possible treatments. This information is useful for everyone and especially useful to anyone with a problematic bladder.

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

UTIs are common infections that can affect any part of the extensive urinary tract system. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and the urethra. A UTI is a bacterial inflammation that affects any part of the urinary tract. If left untreated, a UTI can lead to pain and permanent damage of the bladder and kidneys. Due to the important role the kidneys play in functioning of the body, it is important to look out for symptoms of infections and seek treatment as soon as the symptoms appear.

UTIs are classified according to the place infected.

  • Cystitis: Refers to an infection that affects the bladder
  • Urethritis: Refers to an infection that affects the urethra
  • Pyelonephritis: Refers to an infection that affects the kidney

Causes of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

In ideal situations, urine is normally sterile and contains no germs such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. However, it is easy for such germs to find their way into the urinary tract for instance through poor toilet hygiene. This is when urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur.

The bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), mainly found in the digestive system is responsible for the vast number of UTI cases. Other culprits include Chlamydia and mycoplasma bacteria that can affect the urethra but not the bladder.

Some of the factors that increase the risk of infection include:

i. Obstructions in your urinary tract such as kidney stones
ii. Problems with bladder control including failure to empty your bladder fully
iii. Diabetes
iv. An enlarged prostate gland in men
v. Poor personal hygiene
vi. Bowel incontinence
vii. Heavy use of antibiotics
viii. Having a urinary catheter
ix. Some forms of contraceptives including contraceptive diaphragm or condoms coated in spermicide
x. A weak immune system
xi. Pregnancy
xii. immobility leading to poor urination habits

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

In medicine, they say information is power, and while this sounds cliché, it can save your life. UTIs can cause irreparable damage. Thus, it is important to detect the problem early and to seek treatment at once. To do this, you must have an idea of the symptoms. These include:

  • Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area

  • Cloudy, smelly or bloody urine

  • Frequent or constant urge to urinate

  • Pain or discomfort while urinating

  • Pains in your sides or back

  • Shivering and chills

  • Waking up from sleep to urinate

  • Pain, pressure, or tenderness around the bladder area

  • High temperature (fever)

  • Feeling unwell, achy and tired

  • Pain during sexual intercourse

Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

It is advisable to get medical attention if you notice the above symptoms. Your doctor will carry out a thorough diagnostic test to arrive at a proper diagnosis, before recommending treatment options to use

The Test Procedure –

  1. Analyzing a urine sample

  2. Urine culture after a urine sample

  3. Assessment of your urinary tract by means of an ultrasound, a computerized tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance image (MRI) scan, this is carried out in case if recurrent infections.

  4. Cystoscopy, using a cystoscope to analyze your bladder and urethra

At the main cause of UTIs is bacterial infection, the main course of treatment is through a short course of antibiotics such as Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, others), Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid) and Ceftriaxone among others.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies –

You can prevent and manage UTIs by making simple lifestyle changes and by using home remedies. These include:

  1. Drinking lots of water

  2. Reducing the intake of fizzy drinks, alcohol, coffee, and tea

  3. Using medications such as paracetamol to treat pain or fever

  4. Avoiding perfumed bubble bath

  5. Always emptying your bladder fully

  6. Using adult diapers for women to prevent urethra infections

  7. wiping your bottom from front to back after using the toilet

  8. Urinating before and after intercourse

  9. Avoiding the use of contraceptive diaphragm or condoms with spermicidal lubricant

  10. Wearing proper underwear and avoiding synthetic material such as nylon and tight-fitting pants

  11. Taking vitamin C, beta-carotene, and zinc to help fight infection

  12. Urinating as soon as you feel the need to

  13. Keeping your genital area clean

It is important to keep learning more about Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) to protect yourself and your family. If you notice any bladder problems, make sure you consult your doctor for a diagnosis. This is the only way to receive proper treatment early enough and prevent permanent damage to the kidneys or the bladder. With the high costs associated with kidney treatment, the maxim of prevention is better than cure applies aptly here.

If you have adult incontinence, it is also advisable to talk to your doctor and seek advice on the best incontinence protection to use. The best urinary Incontinence products not only give you control of your life, but also helps you protect yourself against urinary tract infections.

Seven Ways to Treat Diaper Rash

Diaper rash develop when skin in the diaper-covered region remains wet and warm for long durations. These rashes appear like red spots that can grow to become blisters when not attended to as soon as possible. It is upon caregivers to ensure that they do not occur at all or are not too severe on the skin of people under their care.

Understanding the causes of diaper rash will help you treat them when the need arises. Diaper rash are a result or irritation that can arise from contact with urine and stool. New products that are not compatible with your skin will cause a rash. A sensitive skin will also develop a rash easily. Using diapers that are too tight or that are tightened too much while wearing them can also cause these rashes to occur. So how can you prevent diaper rash from occurring? Lets’ find out.

Ways to Treat a Diaper Rash:-

1. Buy Quality Diapers

Incontinence products are made of different quality. The quality of the product you use determines how well it handles urine. Luckily, there are high-quality diapers that are designed to provide wearers with maximum dryness while wearing them. They come with improved technology that allows them to absorb more urine without breaking. These high-quality products are designed to ensure that they do not irritate the skin. A high-quality product can irritate the skin if it is made using alcohol-related ingredients, especially if your body is sensitive to alcohol.

Read reviews of adult incontinence products before buying them. These reviews come from other clients who have already used these products. Their reviews will give you an idea of how well the product reacted with their skin, the cost, and absorbency provided by the product, and other factors. With quality diapers, you will avoid incontinence and rash.

2. Consider the Skin Type

Diapers are manufactured for different skin types. There are diapers for sensitive skins, normal skin, dry and oily skin. Each incontinence product will have a label that provides information to guide users. By buying a diaper that is meant for the type of skin of the wearer, you can avoid rashes or negative reactions.

People with normal and dry skin might not have a big problem with rashes. This is because their skins do not present the right condition for the development of rashes. However, oily and sensitive skins are vulnerable and therefore require more care. Sensitive skin can bruise easily and therefore is at a higher risk of developing rashes. Oily skin, on the other hand, presents a moist surface for the rashes to develop. Therefore, you should ensure to use products that are suitable for the type of skin of the wearer.

3. Change Diapers Often

Do not wear a diaper for too long after it is soiled. Rashes result from urine and stool that stay in contact with the skin for too long. By changing diapers often, this combination of urine and fecal material will not leave rashes on the skin. Changing the diapers often requires that you understand the soiling patterns of the wearer. This routine ensures that at no point will the wearer experience prolonged wetness. Even the best adult diapers can cause wetness if they are left too long on the body.

Frequent changes also help to relieve the wearer of stress. The person will not experience episodes of prolonged wetness. As a result, he or she will be comfortable in the diapers and not have to worry about wetness or their incontinent condition.

4. Right Diaper Size

Choose the right adult diaper sizes. Adult diapers are classified in the same way as cloths. There are small, medium, large and extra-large sizes. Measure the waist of the wearer to avoid buying diapers that are too tight or too loose. The size of a diaper is a sensitive issue because it can change several times in a short span. Health conditions and prevailing environment causes people to lose and add weight. It means that the size that fits today might not fit in the future.

As a result, you may need to change the sizes in the future. Diapers should not be too loose or too tight. Loose diapers will generate friction where it makes contact with the body to the point of leaving bruises. If the diaper is too tight, it will also make the skin uncomfortable, resulting in rashes. The wearer must be comfortable in the diaper. Take the size of the waste regularly and adjust the diaper size accordingly.

5. Use Creams and Jellies

Medicated creams and jellies can help you deal with rashes that are caused by prolonged use of diapers. They are used to soften the skin and therefore preventing lacerations. These lacerations can open up and form wounds. These creams are also used to cover small wounds so that they do not extend into rashes. These creams form a barrier between the diaper and skin so that friction does not cause a problem. In the absence of creams and jellies, the skin will be too dry and could crack to form rashes. You must use approved skin products for diaper rashes. Some products could react negatively with your skin causing more rashes. To be on the safe side consider your skin type when buying specific jellies and creams.

6. Allow the Wearer to Relax Without a Diaper

People with incontinence should be allowed to stay without diapers for a while. This allows the skin to breathe and dry up before the next phase of using a diaper. In case the skin has gotten soaked in urine or moisture, it will have time to dry up. A time to relax without a diaper helps the wearer feel natural and comfortable. It has a psychological advantage because the person begins to feel that he or she is not helpless and can stay without a diaper. This is important for good mental health. Studying the routine of soiling will allow you to know the perfect time for such a break.

7. Visit a Physician

A physician can provide the best solution for rashes. The causes of the rash will differ from one person to the other. A physician can help you by diagnosing the real cause of the rash and by recommending safe solutions.

Each diaper rash situation is unique. You must gather the facts around each case in order to find an effective solution. It is necessary to seek help from a professional if a rash proves to be stubborn.

Adult Diaper Rash: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Adult Diaper
.Adult Diaper

Undoubtedly, adult diapers offer both wearers and caregivers the much-needed peace of mind. For the wearer, adult diapers allow leading a normal life and for a caregiver, it is all about freedom from changing or washing soiled clothes frequently. With the benefits that adult diapers provide it also brings in a problem of rashes or Diaper Dermatitis. Diaper dermatitis is an allergy that causes redness, irritation, and discomfort in the diaper area. Adult Diaper Rash is generally caused due to the skin staying wet because of the constant contact with the chemicals of urine and stool.

Some of the symptoms, causes, and treatment of diaper dermatitis/rash are as follows:

SYMPTOMS

  • Skin in the diaper area i.e. buttocks, thighs, and genitals becomes red, sore, and tender-looking.
  • The texture of the skin changes from normal to bumpy, rough and itchy.
  • The skin may become chapped and in some cases boils, pimples and pus-filled sores may also occur.

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