Urinary tract infection involves infection in any part of the urinary system. Depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected, UTIs are given different names:
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URETHRITIS : For infection of urethra.
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CYSTITIS : For urinary bladder infection.
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PYELONEPHRITIS : For kidney infection.
About 20 percent of women have UTIs during their lifetime.
CAUSATIVE AGENTS
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The commonest organism is Escherichia Coli which is present in 80 to 90 percent cases.
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Chlamydia and Mycoplasma bacteria can infect the urethra but not the bladder.
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Other agents: Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterococci, Staphylococcus,etc.
COMMON PREVALENCE
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UTIs are most common in females.
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Reason : They have shorter urethra which allows easy access of microbes to the bladder.
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The prevalence of UTI upto 11 years is around 1 percent for boys and 3 percent for girls.
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In pregnancy, it rises upto 10 percent.
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In older girls, there is a 10 fold increase in incidence as compared to boys.
RISK FACTORS
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Increased sexual intercourse with multiple partners or new partners.
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Poor personal hygiene
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Having a urinary catheter.
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Immuno- compromising disorders like Diabetes Mellitus.
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Kidney stones.
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Use of contraceptives.
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Bowel incontinence
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Hypo- estrogenic state as in Menopause.
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Heavy use of antibiotics.
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Immobility for a prolonged time.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF UTI
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Frequent urging to urinate.
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Cloudy urine
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Strong smelling urine (offensiveness)
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Pain before, during and after urination.
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Burning during urination
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Muscle aches
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Pain in abdomen
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Nausea and vomiting after fever
HOMEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS OF UTI
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CANTHARIS:
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Strong urging to urinate with cutting pains that are felt before the urine passes as well as during and after – may indicate Cantharis.
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Only several drops pass at a time with a scalding sensation.
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The person may feel as if the bladder had been emptied, still feeling a constant urge to urinate.
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SARSAPARILLA:
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Useful in cystitis and often helps when symptoms are unclear or if other remedies have not been effective.
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Frequent urging is felt with burning pain at the end of micturition.
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Urine passes when a person is standing up but only dribbling occurs while sitting.
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Also useful when stones are forming or kidneys are involved.
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APIS MELLIFICA:
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This remedy is indicated when the person frequently needs to urinate But only small quantities are passed.
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Stinging and burning sensations are also felt.(Especially with the last drops)
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The person may experience soreness in the abdomen.
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Heat and touch make the symptoms worse.
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Better by cold applications, cold bathing and open air.
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Patients are usually thirstless.
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BERBERIS VULGARIS:
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Cystitis with twinges of cutting pain or burning feeling that extends to the urethra and its opening may indicate this remedy.
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The passage may burn at time when no attempt at urination is made.
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After emptying the bladder, the person feels as if some urine still remains inside.
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Better by walking.
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LYCOPODIUM:
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If a person has to urinate frequently during night and passes large amounts of urine.
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The person may feel a painful urge but has to strain to make the urine flow.
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Pain may be felt in the back before the urine passes.