They’re bothersome, embarrassing, and painful. Occasionally, they’re a sign of a serious health problem. Luckily, most cases of frequent urination can be cleaned up quickly – often with just a couple days of treatment.
Some urinary tract infections have a few symptoms – not even pain and fever. Recognizing it during pregnancy is especially important. Now here are its following symptoms:
• Frequent and urgent urination, especially at night.
• A burning feeling during urination.
• Blood in the urine.
• Pressure in the lower abdomen.
• Urine that looks cloudy or smells very bad.
When a urinary tract infection involves the bladder, the sac where the urine is stored before it leaves the body, it’s called cystitis. It’s often caused by E. coli bacteria. This bacteria is common on the bowel and can cause the infection if it gets to the urine or the bladder and comes in contact with the urethra, the tube through which the urine passes. Urinary tract infections are more common in women because the urethra is shorter and the anus and urethra are closer together than in men. The bacteria may also enter the tract during sexual intercourse or when you use a diaphragm. Perfume soaps, powders, and bubble bath products also may cause irritation that can lead to such infection.
This kind of infection can be a problem for men, too, especially those over 50. An enlarge prostate gland, common in older men, can resist the flow of urine and can lead to bacterial growth and infection.
If the infection reaches the kidneys, it’s called pyelonephritis and can sometimes cause permanent kidney damage. Now here are the most common preventive measures you must do to prevent such infection:
1. Drink lots of water. Medical guidelines recommend this.
2. Women should urinate more often, especially before and after sexual intercourse.
3. Wear clean cotton underwear.
4. Women should wipe from front to back after using the toilet, to avoid spreading the bacteria from the rectal area.
5. Avoid bubble bath, perfumed soaps, douches and deodorant tampons.
6. Switch from diaphragm to another type of birth control if you are having urine-related problems.
7. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder.
Now these are the most common yet very effective preventive measures you can easily follow wherever you may be to prevent infection in your urinary tract. Keep in mind these measures and for sure you will have no urine-related problems at all.