Urinary tract infection is painful and discomforting. It restricts a person from passing urine and also causes pelvic pain, a burning sensation, bacterial infection, or nausea.
These infections are more witnessed in women as compared to men. The reason behind this is women have a shorter urethra that is close to the anus. It favors bacterial infections to enter the urethra and travel to the bladder.
Most patients do suffer in silence as they feel embarrassed to talk about. To know how to prevent UTI and counter the complications, go through this article:
What is a Urinary tract infection (UTI)?
A UTI can be described as an infection in any part of the urinary system that adversely affects the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. It causes inflammation in the bladder that ultimately leads to pain, stinging, or a burning sensation while urinating.
In Ayurveda, UTI comes under the category of Pitta Dosha. Ayurvedic treatment for UTI is advised to the patient which flushes out the bacteria using administering herbs and cleans the urinary paths through detoxification therapies.
Types of UTIs
Urinary tract infections are mainly categorized into 4 types, namely:
- Cystitis: It is called “Mutrakricchra” in Ayurveda. It makes the bladder inflamed and itchy. A patient with cystitis also faces abdominal pain, frequent urge to pee, and bloody or smelly urine.
- Urethritis: In Ayurveda, it is known as “Mutrapraseka shotha”. It is the infection of the urethra that causes swelling in the tube carrying urine from the bladder.
- Pyelonephritis: This type of urinary tract infection affects the kidneys. This condition is quite similar to “Mutraghata” and “Prameha” in Ayurveda. If not treated timely, it can also give rise to renal diseases.
- Vaginitis: This infection is described as “Kaphaja yoni vyapath” in Ayurveda. As the name itself clears it affects the vagina. The chief complications are vaginal inflammation, itching, discharge, and pain.
Causes of UTI
- Bacterial infection: Bacteria is the prime cause of urinary infections. Bacteria can enter the body through the urethra or anus. Once reaching inside these bacterial infections start to spread.
- Constipation: People are at higher risk of having urinary tract infections if they are constipated. The stool when remains in the rectum for a long period will favor the growth of bacteria.
- Poor hygiene: It is a frequent cause of UTIs. Not maintaining personal hygiene or using the same lower undergarments for a long period can increase the chances of bacterial infections.
- Poor diet: The consumption of spicy, sugary, junk, processed, non-vegetarian food or caffeinated drinks, and alcohol develops bacterial infections inside the body.
- Holding the urge to urinate: The waste materials if not eliminated through the bladder can enable bacteria to move to the bladder through the anal region or vagina resulting in UTIs.
- Less water intake: The toxins do not get eliminated from the body if water intake is less or below average. It makes the person prone to get infected with urinary infections.
Complications of UTI
A patient with a urinary tract infection experiences intolerable pain in the bladder, lower abdomen, and pelvic regions, especially while urinating or having sexual intercourse. The other complications accompanied are foul and smelly urine, nausea, vomiting, or vaginal irritation.
If a woman gets affected with UTI during pregnancy it can lead to the birth of underweight or premature infants. If UTI is not treated timely, can also cause life-threatening kidney damage.
How to prevent urine infection?
UTI is curable if proper hygiene is maintained and certain precautions are followed. Following are some simple yet effective ways of ensuring prevention against urinary infections:
Hygiene management
Hygiene is the basic requirement to get rid of every disease. It is advised to take daily baths, keep the genitals dry and clean after urinating, and do not wear sweaty and dirty undergarments. Females should wipe from the front to the back while cleaning themselves to prevent bacteria from entering the urethra.
Ayurvedic herbs
Ayurvedic treatment for UTI is considered the best for treating and preventing urinary tract infections. It provides home-based and herbal remedies that heal the disease from the roots. The use of the following herbs will surely prove helpful to the patients:
- Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)
- Darulhaldi (Berberis aristata)
- Mulethi (Licorice )
- Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa)
- Pudina (Mint)
- Sabja (Sweet basil)
- Dhaniya (Coriander)
- Haldi (Turmeric)
Modification in diet
Food rich in sugar or salt substances should be avoided. The consumption of junk, spicy, processed, and non-vegetarian food should also be restricted as they trigger urinary infections and supports bacterial growth in the system.
Do not hold the urge to urinate
The timely elimination of toxins is necessary for preventing bacterial infections. If the bladder does not get empty on a regular basis, then bacteria can lie on the surfaces and enter the body easily.
Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink at least 1.5 liters of liquids daily. It will manage the dilemmas of UTIs by timely elimination of toxins.
The consumption of Watermelon, Apples, Peaches, Coconut Water, Cucumber, Zucchini, and Tomatoes is also beneficial as they are loaded with water content.
Yoga and meditation
Several health dysfunctions can be prevented with yoga and meditation. Performing yoga provides strength to the pelvic region and ensures relief from the pain and discomfort of urinary tract infections.
Best Yoga asanas for UTI that can be performed daily:
- Setu Bandhasana (Bridge pose)
- Maala Asana (Garland pose)
- Uttanapadasana (Raised leg pose)
- Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend pose)
Eliminate chemical-based products
Do not use chemical-based products such as creams, moisturizers, sprays, or powders. Substitute them with aloe vera, lavender oil, or clove oil. Massaging the affected areas with curd or virgin coconut oil is also helpful to end bacterial infections.
Conclusion
Doubtlessly, Urinary tract infections are intolerable but completely manageable with certain precautions. For getting rid of the complications the best way available is to choose urinary tract infection Ayurvedic treatment.
