Self Care

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Urinary tract infection

 

Form many of us, this is bothersome, painful and even embarrassing. But, most causes of this urinary tract infection can be cleared up quickly.

Some infections may not even have any pain or fever. Recognizing urinary tract infection during pregnancy is especially important.

Some of the symptoms may include :

• Frequent and/or urgent urination especially at night.
• A burning feeling during urination.
• Blood in the urine.
• Pressure in the lower abdomen.
• Urine that looks cloudy and/or smell very bad.
• When a urinary tract infection involves the bladder, the sac where urine is stored before it leaves the body, it is called cystitis.
• It is often caused by E.coli bacteria. This bacteria is common in the bowel and can cause a urinary tract infection if it gets into the urine or bladder or enters the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the bladder. Urinary tract infections are more common in woman because the urethra is shorter and the anus and urethra are closer together than in men.

Preventive Steps :

• Drink lots of water, of about atleast 8 glasses a day.
• Women should urinate often, especially before and after sexual intercourse.
• Wear clean, cotton underwear or underwear with a cotton crotch.
• Women should wipe from front to back after using the toilet, to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area.
• Avoid bubble bath, perfumed soaps, douches, and deodorant tampons.
• Switch from the diaphragm to another type of birth control if urinary tract infections are a problem.
• Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder.

Self Care :

• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods, all of which can make the symptoms worse.
• Drink eight glasses of fluid per day. Water is the best.
• To relieve the discomfort, take cool baths.