Frequent episodes of urinary tract infections are common conditions, especially among females. Conventionally, courses of antibiotics are administered. Though antibiotics take care of the acute infection, antibiotics never prevent a recurrence. Homeopathic comes to rescue which helps control and prevent recurrences of urinary tract infections.

Definition:

Infection of any of the organs of the urinary tracts such as those of kidneys, Ureters (tube between kidney to the bladder), urinary bladder, and urethra, may broadly be called a UTI. Specifically following terms are used: pyelonephritis or nephritis (infection - inflammation) of the kidney; ureteritis (for ureters), cystitis (urinary bladder), urethritis (urethra). Pyelonephritis is generally a serious condition.

Causes of UTI:

Urinary tract infection is most common in women affecting the bladder and urethra.

Infection in the bladder: It is also known as cystitis mainly caused due to E-coli bacteria it is mainly decent from the gastrointestinal tract as the urethra opening is close to the anal opening in females, bacteria travels and causes infection, commonly seen in the young sexually active women.

Infection in the urethra: It is also known as urethritis it is caused mainly due to sexual intercourse, as urethral proximity to the vagina sexually transmitted diseases like STDs, Gonorrhea, and Herpes simplex can also cause urethritis.

Symptoms and signs:

The symptoms are as follows:

Cloudy or bloody urine, which may have a foul or strong odor.

Low-grade fever (not mandatory that everyone will have a fever).

Constant pain or burning while urination.

Cramping or sensation of pressure in the lower abdomen, occasionally in the back.

Frequent and Strong urge to urinate, even after the bladder has been emptied.

Diagnosis & Tests:

A urine sample is usually collected to perform the following tests:

Urinalysis: urine is examined to look for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and to test for certain chemicals, such as nitrites in the urine. Most of the time, your doctor or nurse can diagnose an infection using a urinalysis. A urine culture may be done to identify the bacteria in the urine.

CBC (Complete blood count) Blood culture

Complications:

Sepsis (Blood infection) - risk is greater among the young, very old adults, and those with low immunity(for example, due to HIV or cancer chemotherapy) Kidney damage or scarring Kidney infection

Treatment:

Conventional treatment: For mild bladder and kidney infections, oral antibiotics are usually recommended because there is a risk that the infection can spread to the kidneys.

For a simple bladder infection, oral antibiotics for 3 days (women) or 7 - 14 days (men). For a bladder infection with complications such as pregnancy or diabetes, or a mild kidney infection, usual antibiotics for 7 - 14 days are recommended.

It is important that you finish all the antibiotics, even if you feel better. People who do not finish their antibiotics may develop an infection that is harder to treat.

Homeopathic treatment:

For acute UTI: Homeopathy is effective for acute UTI in most cases. If there is no adequate response in symptoms and bacterial count in urine after 5 days of homeopathic treatment, and if the infection is very severer, it may be advised to opt for the conventional medicine.

For recurrent UTI:

Homeopathy has a significant role to place especially in the cases of recurring UTIs. As said earlier, recurrence of UTI is a common challenge and conventional antibiotics have little role to prevent the recurrence. Homeopathy proves very effective in controlling, reducing the frequent attacks of UTIs.

Your attending homeopathic physician may choose the right medicine based on the symptoms. Some of the commonly indicated medicines include Sepia, Cantharis, Staphysagria, Mercurious solubus, Nitric acidum, etc.

Homeopathy is strongly recommended in all cases of recurring Urinary tract infections.