Urinary Tract Infections

Definition:

Urinary tract infections are generally bacterial or viral infections and can affect any organ in the urinary system, right from kidneys to the bladder.

Causes:

• Retention of urine by suppressing the urge to micturate.
• Drinking less amount of water, which generally concentrates urine and precipitates infection?
• Lack of proper hygiene, especially in females, which precipitates infection due to short length of urethra.
• Presence of stone in the kidneys or bladder.

Symptoms:

• High fever, accompanied by shivering, especially in the evenings. Burning sensation and pain while passing urine.
• Passing of infected urine, such as turbid or blood stained, due to presence of pus cells or excess proteins.
• Associated with moderate backache.
• Increased frequency of micturition, with a feeling of incomplete evacuation of bladder.

Do’s & Don’t:

• Include a lot of water and fluids in regular diet to keep the urinary system absolutely flushed out.
• Take hot lentil soups and pulses regularly.
• Take rice porridge with medicated pure ghee (with less salt as it causes sodium and water retention). Avoid irregular meals.

Suggestions:

• Cold infusion of coriander seeds in a 30-ml dosage, thrice, daily. Infusion or decoction of the fruit of punctured vine (Gokshur) in a 30-ml dosage, thrice, daily, to facilitate the excretion of stagnant urine from bladder.
• Coconut water is an excellent diuretic and should be taken every day to enhance urine production and flush out urine.
• A decoction of Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava) is good diuretic and is recommended in a 30-ml dosage, thrice, daily.