What are Urinary Tract Infections?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an inflammation caused by bacteria attacking any part of the urinary system including the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. It can cause varying degrees of pain and discomfort, from mild to extreme.

What causes Urinary Tract Infections?

The most common source of urinary tract infections is the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). This bacterium sits on the skin in the genital area. Most urinary tract infections occur when this bacteria enters the urethra and travels to the bladder, causing a bladder infection.

A kidney infection results if the bacteria that is causing the bladder infection travels into the kidney area.  

Although E. coli is by far the most common cause of urinary tract infections, there are other ways you can get a UTI:

 

• UTI can develop if the normal flow of urine is blocked, or is backed up from the bladder into the kidneys.
• Kidney or bladder stones can cause repeated infections.
• In rare cases, bacteria can reach the kidneys through the bloodstream.

What are the signs and symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections?

There are numerous signs and symptoms associated with urinary tract infections. Some of the most common are;

 

• Burning feeling when you urinate
• Feeling like you need to urinate more often
• Feeling the urge to urinate but not being able to
• Urine Leakage
• Bloody urine
• Pressure in the lower stomach
• Lower back pain
• Feeling nauseous and tired
• Low Grade Fever

 

Signs of a Kidney infection include;

 

• High Grade Fever
• Chills
• Shivers
• Feeling ill

How common are Urinary Tract Infections?

While urinary tract infections affect both men and women, women have a much greater tendency than men to get a UTI, according to the Kidney Foundation of Canada. In fact, Canadian women make about 500,000 visits to doctors per year due to UTIs”

http://www.kidney.ca/page.asp?intnodeID=22138 06/09/06.

What health problems are caused by Urinary Tract Infections?

The common health problem associated with urinary tract infections is Pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidneys, which is usually spread from a bladder infection.

It causes chills, fever and pain as well as urinary frequency. If left untreated it can eventually lead to renal failure.

What can be done to help with Urinary Tract Infections?

Ensuring that the urinary system is functioning properly is vital to reduce the chance of UTI. The following products can help achieve optimal urinary system function. 

 

• Total Kidney Cleanse is a 30 day herbal cleansing program which works to cleanse and detoxify the kidneys, while at the same time alkalize the urinary system.  Part I contains herbs which support cleansing and detoxification of the Kidneys. Part II contains ingredients that work to sterilize and alkalize the urinary system.

• FloraSMART is a patented blend of probiotics (including lactobacillus rhamnosis). Probiotics are friendly bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract and create balance. Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) in women are almost always caused from bacteria moving from the rectum or vagina to the urethra and bladder. It has been found that by supplementing with probiotics (particularly probiotic supplements containing lactobacillus rhamnosus); recurrent UTI’s can be prevented.