Urinary Tract Infection

October 24, 2020Females2

Anatomical structures involved in the formation, storage and excretion of urine constitute urinary tract. This includes kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. Urine contains metabolic wastes , water, salts and toxins such as urea. Urinary tract infection can be caused by forceful inhibition of natural urge of urination, habit of low intake of water, ageing , illness , unhealthy sexual practices and injury. Age effect on kidney structures affects it’s ability to filter and remove wastes from the blood. Loss of muscle tone and strength can also be the result of ageing leading to incomplete excretion. Women are more vulnerable to this infection.

Causative factors and Pathogenesis –

Eischerchia coli is the predominant uropathogen of having 80% prevalence , other than that Staphylococcus saprophyticus , Enterococcus , Klebsiella , Enterobacter and Proteus species are responsible for recurrent UTIs.

A number of host factors appear to predispose otherwise healthy young women to UTIs. These include –

1) Local pH and cervicovaginal antibody changes in the vagina.

2) Greater adherence of uropathogenic bacteria to the uroepithelium.

3) Pelvic anatomic differences such as shorter urethra to anus distance.

4) Diabetes mellitus , neurologic conditions, chronic indwelling urinary catheterization also causes more complications to UTIs.

Risk factors –

1) Strongest risk factor for UTIs in young women is frequency of sexual intercourse.

2) Maternal history of UTIs.

3) New sex partner in past year.

4) Postvoiding residual urine also contribute to UTIs.

Symptoms –

1) Painful or burning urination.

2) Changes in frequency of urine.

3) Changes in appearance or smell of urine.

4) Fever with chills.

5)Lower abdominal pain

6) Lower back pain.

Causes –

1) Foods and drinks that are too spicy ,salty and hot.

2) Drinking alcohol.

3) Suppresing the natural urge for urination.

4) Long ,direct exposure to sunny and hot day.

5) Habit of emotional outbursts of anger , impatience and jealousy.

6) Working with fire chemical and toxic fumes.

7) Drinking less quantity of water.

Diagnosis –

Main step for the diagnostic evaluation for UTIs include confirming the presence of a bacterial UTI and identifying the causative organism.

Treatment –

1) A 3 day course of Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole is the current standard therapy or a fluroquinolone ( e.g. ofloxacin ,norfloxacin or Ciprofloxacin) being equally effective.

2) For E.coli nitrofurantoin is a safe and effective medicine if given for 7 days.

Ayurvedic approch towards Treatment –

UTIs symptoms are mostly pitta predominant; so to pacify Pitta we can take help of Panchkarma procedures like vaman , Virechana , uttarbasti added purvakarmas snehan and swedan are also very much effective.

Useful herbs –

All these herbs help to cure UTI symptoms very effectively without side effects. Different preparations of these herbs are available in market to treat UTI.

Diet and lifestyle –

1) Avoid spicy foods.

2) Drink plenty of water.

3) Wear cotton and loose fitting innerwear and clothing.

4) Use dry clothes after bath.

5) Women should follow good personal hygiene practices especially during Menstrual periods.

Yoga –

Bhujangasana, Surya namaskar ,Dhanurasana can stimulate and preserve health of genito – urinary system.

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