Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
You can reduce your risk of developing urinary tract infections with these steps.
- Drink plenty of water
- Urinate when you first get the urge. Holding urine can increases bacteria growth in your bladder.
- After sex, urinate and drink a glass of water to help flush bacteria that may have been pushed into the urethra during intercourse
- Avoid genital cleansing products such as douches and deodorants. These remove your bodys natural protective secretions and oils
- Take showers instead of baths
- Wear cotton underwear
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Can A Yeast Infection Cause A Uti
If youve ever had a urinary tract infection , and youve also suffered from a yeast infection, you might be wondering if the two are connected.
You may also be confused by the two and unsure about what youre feeling. They are both infections, but they arent the same thing. A UTI is a bacterial infection that occurs in any part of the urinary tract, which contains the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. A yeast infection is a fungal infection that affects the genitalia, caused by a natural fungus that gets off balance.1
But can a yeast infection cause a UTI?
Uti Treatment: How To Treat A Uti
As soon as you notice a problem in your urinary tract, you should start an immediate course of action for a UTI treatment.
Some will say that antibiotics are the best approach, but many patients have found this ineffective and instead, will opt for natural treatments.
It is important to remember that there are benefits to each of these treatments.
The first kind of treatment for a UTI is taking antibiotics.
Usually, this is recommended as soon as the urine sample is collected, and immediately before surgery.
Although the antibiotics will clear up most of the bacteria that causes the infection.
They will often also reduce the level of enzymes that help to digest protein.
Another way to approach this problem is to use natural remedies.
Taking supplements rich in iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and other vitamins can help to strengthen the immune system.
And also help the body to digest protein more easily.
These kinds of supplements will also help to restore the normal balance.
Vitamin C is often a big help in the treatment of a UTI.
While taking a supplement with vitamin C may not be a quick fix.
It can certainly give some relief from the pain and discomfort that are often associated with this infection.
If the infection has progressed to a more serious stage, an anti-inflammatory drug may be prescribed by your doctor.
As soon as you start to notice any symptoms associated with a UTI, it is best to try and understand how to treat a UTI naturally.
Lightweight.
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How Long Does Each Infection Last
The severity of the infection and the treatment method determine how long both a yeast infection and a UTI lasts. A UTI generally goes away 1-2 days after starting antibiotics. A complicated UTI, on the other hand, can take several days to weeks to fully treat. Similarly, a mild yeast infection can go away after a few days.
Uti Symptoms: Urinary Tract Infections Symptoms You Dont Know
Urinary tract infection is a very common problem for most people.
If you suffer from frequent or recurring UTIs it can be a serious problem.
Even if you have only had one, it can still be an issue if it lasts for several weeks or months.
If you are suffering from any of the following, it is important to get help and get rid of your UTI as soon as possible.
One of the most common complaints is painful urination.
You may experience pain when you urinate or the sensation of being full.
Although there is no actual test to diagnose UTI, doctors will typically ask about the symptoms you are experiencing.
And try to determine if they are caused by a real UTI or an infection from a urinary tract infection.
The more serious the symptoms, the more likely a visit to the doctor will be necessary.
One of the most common signs of a UTI is a yellow color to the urine.
In most cases, this can be cured with antibiotics.
However, if you continue to have more than one symptom after taking the antibiotics, it is more likely that you have a UTI.
Some other symptoms include redness, itching, burning, and pain during urination.
To be sure that you are not having a UTI and not from a urinary tract infection, you should be tested for it.
As mentioned earlier, the symptoms can be caused by a lot of different things.
Common signs of a UTI include painful urination, excessive gas, and cloudy or dark urine.
A urine sample should be taken from your bladder and sent to a lab to be tested.
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Kill Sinus Infections Utis And Bronchitis With One Little Trick
If you have ever had a sinus infection, then you know how awful they can make you feel. The pain, that that stuffed up feeling that gives you brain fog, and that sinus drip! Its so disgusting!
There are two types of sinusitis. The first is chronic sinusitis, which is caused by fungus and/or bacteria. The swelling and inflammation this type of infection causes can last as long as 3 months if not treated. The other type is acute sinusitis, which is caused by bacteria that slowly grows throughout the sinuses. These bacteria will reach a peak, however, and then die off in about 4 weeks, if left untreated.
Most people head to the doctors for antibiotics, but this is really unnecessary as there are plenty of natural means of killing the bacteria that causes sinus infections. The overuse of antibiotics is a serious problem throughout the world, creating superbugs, which are bacteria resistant to antibiotics, and killing all the bacteria in your body, the good as well as the bad.
If you tend to suffer from sinus infections, we have good news for you. There is one herb that can kill off those sinus infections naturally. What herb is this? Horseradish. Dont shake your head if you are thinking of horseradish sauce and thinking that its gross or too strong for you. Dont be discouraged. We will show you how to use it so that a tiny dose goes a long way.
Continue to Page 2
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How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Diagnosed
If your daughter has any symptoms of a yeast infection like itchiness or abnormal vaginal discharge she should see her doctor or gynecologist. Other infections can cause similar symptoms but require different treatments.
The doctor might take a urine sample to rule out a urinary tract infection and swab some vaginal discharge to examine under a microscope.
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Should Treatment Be Long Term
Melissa: Is this a short-term kind of treatment approach or should you be using the prebiotics for a long time?
Dr. Hlavinka: Well, I tell everybody I can about the value of probiotics, and probiotics are absolutely essential for immune system boosting. Weve got all those gut bacteria, theres all sorts of interplay between the gut microbiome and our immune system, our liver function.
Theres even a sort of, they call it a gut brain connection, between the microbiome and the brain and weve shown that things like depression and things like that, anxiety related, are related to changing the gut microbiome. So having a healthy constituted gut microbiome to me is an essential part of overall health and a simple thing to do, but we docs screw that up all the time by giving people antibiotics to destroy it immediately.
It can take weeks or months to rebuild, so I tell my patients they should be on 60, 80 billion of probiotics, 60 to 80 billion colonies per probiotics daily and then double that when youre on antibiotics. So thats basically what I tell them.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Yeast Infection
Yeast infections have very distinct symptoms that are easy to recognize from other kinds of infections. These symptoms include any or all of the following:
- A burning sensation while urinating
- A white, odorless vaginal discharge resembling cottage cheese.
- Watery vaginal discharge
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Urinary Tract Infection Causes & Risk Factors
Your urinary tract can usually protect itself from infection, but certain factors increase your risk of developing a UTI.
- Menopause and post-menopause, which cause the lining of the urethra to get thinner as estrogen levels decrease.
- Diabetes and other chronic illnesses or medications that affect your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight infections.
- Conditions that make it difficult to completely empty your bladder, such as enlarged prostate and bladder and kidney stones.
- Long-term use of catheters
How To Treat A Uti Or Yeast Infection
Treatment for a UTI generally includes antibiotics. The type and the dose depend on the bacteria in your urine.
Over-the-counter antifungal medications often can treat a yeast infection in men and women. Depending on the severity, though, your doctor might prescribe an antifungal cream or a one-time oral dose of an antifungal such as fluconazole.
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Causes Of A Uti Vs A Yeast Infection
A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that may be in the area, and it spreads up towards the bladder, Dr. Shepherd says.
The most common bacteria that causes UTIs is E. coli, according to Rena Malik, MD, a urologist based in Baltimore and Columbia. UTIs are commonly caused by bacteria that’s spread during intercourse, so make sure you use the bathroom after sex.
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Concentrated urine can also cause the infection, according to Dr. Shepherd, so she recommends diluting your urine by drinking more water.
A yeast infection, on the other hand, is caused by an unbalance of yeast in the body, which can be a result of multiple factors. The overgrowth of a certain type of yeast called Candida can result in an infection that causes burning, itching, redness, and irregular discharge, per the Cleveland Clinic. But diet and personal hygiene can also play a role.
Tips To Help Prevent Uti Or Yeast Infection
If you have any more tips, please let me know and I will include them in the blog post. It would mean a lot to me if someone else could benefit from this conversation.
Of course, it goes without saying that Im not a medical professional and am also not aware of your condition.
You should always, always consult with your doctor before taking any advice or it could be detrimental to your health. Im not giving medical advice, just simply sharing the tips that my doctor gave me, and that have worked for me.
So what can we do to sort this out? Live UTI Free has some helpful tips for UTI prevention, and Ill also share my own experience below.
One of my girlfriends from London used to get UTIs quite a bit and she said the one thing that finally put an end to it was her sexual partners washing before having sex with her. This goes for washing the genitals and the hands.
If your man doesnt take a shower before he enters you Because, I dont know, youre in the heat of the moment and want to have spontaneous sex Then put a condom on him.
Bamboo Toilet Paper
Sometimes, the thick toilet paper we use gets stuck in our vaginal area and doesnt let our cookie breathe. Toilet paper can also contain chemicals that irritate the genital area. Both could be a contributing factor to a UTI or yeast infection.
Bamboo toilet paper is softer and thinner and generally free of harmful chemicals. Ive found it to be extremely soft and comfortable as well.
Dont Use Wipes
Supplements
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Video 6 Transcript: Uti And Bv Yeast Infection And Other Risk Factors
Melissa: Maybe you can talk a little bit about breaking the cycle of a UTI, followed by antibiotics, followed by a yeast infection, followed by a UTI again. People just get stuck in this cycle and dont know how to treat what, and if they can ever break it.
Dr. Hlavinka: Thats a very good question and one for whom I find a very frequent source of referrals from all sorts of female health care providers.
And its because no one really wants to take the trouble to break that cycle. No one wants to take the trouble to just put the brakes on and see where you are. Stop everything and be able to kind of dial back and see what you really need.
And even in a young woman, particularly young women on oral contraceptives. We spoke about that last time the impact of the anti-estrogenic effects of oral contraceptives. Even in young women on oral contraceptives, many times you may have to do a vaginal estrogen supplementation.
Diagnosing A Yeast Infection
An experienced doctor can often diagnose a yeast infection based on the history and symptoms you discuss. If you are seeing a provider in person, your doctor will examine you to evaluate the discharge and take a sample of vaginal fluid with a cotton swab to send to the lab. These lab tests can also be used to identify other causes of discharge, such as STIs.
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Can Vaginal Yeast Infections Be Prevented
For most girls, there’s no way to prevent yeast infections. Girls may feel more comfortable and have less irritation if they wear breathable cotton underwear and loose clothes and avoid vaginal sprays and douches. Wearing cotton underwear may also help prevent yeast infections. If your daughter has diabetes, keeping her blood sugar levels under control will help her avoid getting yeast infections.
If you think your daughter has an infection, call your doctor for advice. Don’t give her leftover antibiotics or someone else’s antibiotics or medicine because they be the wrong choice for her condition. And taking antibiotics when they are not needed can make a girl more likely to get yeast infections.
Other Risks And Cautions
While unusual, a yeast infection can cause a second condition to develop. âOnly in rare occasions can a vaginal yeast infection cause a yeast urinary tract infection, whereas most UTIs are secondary to bacterial etiologies, not fungal,â Fosnight tells Insider.
She says the risk of fungal UTIs further increases if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
On the other hand, âUTIs do not cause vaginal yeast infections, however, the antibiotics used to treat those UTIs can cause an imbalance of the normal microbiota of the vaginal canal leading to a vaginal yeast infection.â
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How My Life Became Affected By Uti Or Yeast Infection Or Both
Does life continue when youre having vaginal issues? Not always.
When youre a female, you deal with some pretty horrific physical stuff not only the labors of pregnancy and pains from having your period, but also, UTIs, yeast infections, the list goes on
Its hard to be a boss babe when youre dealing with pain and discomfort and cant sit still Literally.
But, UTI or yeast infections dont discriminate. Oh no! They come to you whenever they feel like it. A.K.A. whenever youd least like them to. Youd best just toss in that towel and get out that medication now girlfriend, because you are going to be lying there for a while.
Ive literally been in the middle of a trip when the symptoms of a UTI or yeast infection have come on out of nowhere. Heck, Ive even had to end my own birthday party early!
Imagine sending your guests home because youre trying not to look like a crazy person. Crossing and uncrossing her legs while bending yourself across the wall when youre playing a game. Theyre looking at you when its your turn to go and youre just looking agitated. Not a pleasant sight, let me tell you.
Just the other day, I had to see a doctor for the excruciatingly painful and itchy symptoms I have, related to 2 different kinds of yeast + UTI.
Sadly, this is now my merry go round. Ive been to the doctors for these conditions more than you want to know. In fact, its become so much of my regular routine now that Ive seen more doctors these last 6 months than friends .
How Are Vaginal Yeast Infections Treated
If your daughter does have a yeast infection, her doctor can prescribe a medicine to take by mouth or a vaginal cream, tablet, or suppository that will quickly clear up the symptoms in a few days and get rid of the infection within a week. It’s important that your daughter takes the medicine for the whole time that her doctor prescribes. If she stops taking it too soon, the infection could come back.
Anyone using a vaginal treatment should not have sex until the infection is completely cleared these medicines can weaken condoms and diaphragms.
If your daughter is not feeling better within a few days of finishing treatment, call the doctor.
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What Are The Causes Of Yeast Infection
The main reasons for this yeast overgrowth include:
- Hormone tablets or contraceptives that increases the estrogen level in the body
- Use of antibiotics that can disturb the natural vaginal components
- Diabetes which is not controlled properly
How is Yeast Infection Treated?
Yeast infection treatment is typically administered through antifungal medication. Your doctor will prescribe an oral tablet, a topical cream, or a suppository, depending on the severity. The duration of the treatment also varies accordingly.