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Urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in any part of the urinary system, which includes  kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.

The infective organism enters through the urethra causing inflammation of the urethra ( urethritis),then it may cause inflammation of bladder (cystitis), it may advance to the ureter and cause inflammation of the kidneys(pyelonephritis)

The most common organisms causing urinary tract infections are the bacteria -Escherichia coli.

The other common ones are- Proteus ,Klebsiella, Enterobacter etc.

Genitourinary tuberculosis(GUTB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Viruses are also uncommon causes of urinary tract infection mostly in immunocompromised persons.

There are certain factors which may lead to UTI such as, any abnormalities in the urinary tract which interferes with a flow of urine such as 

* kidney stone 

* malformation of the urinary tract

* certain cancers or tumours

* an enlarged prostate gland which slows the flow of urine

* urinary catheters( makes entry of microbes easier)

* diabetes mellitus ( changes in the immune system invites infections)

* diseases which suppresses the immune system. 

Except among infants and elderly, women are many times more prone to UTI than men .This is because of the shorter length of female urethra and so the risk of acquiring infection from the adjoining areas is high. Sexual intercourse, using diaphragms, condoms etc also pose a risk of infection in women.(The female urethra is approximately 4 cm long whereas that of a male is approximately 20 cms long). During the neonatal period, the incidence of UTI is slightly higher among males than among females because male infants more commonly have congenital urinary tract anomalies. After 50 years of age, obstruction from prostatic hypertrophy becomes common in men, and the incidence of UTI is almost as high among men as among women. Between 1 year and 50 years of age, UTI and recurrent UTI are predominantly diseases of females.

UTI maybe asymptomatic( subclinical) or symptomatic. Asymptomatic Bacteriuria( ASB) is a condition in which bacteria is present in the urinary tract but no symptoms observed. In both UTI and ASB, bacteria ,white blood cells, and inflammatory cytokines are detected in the blood.

Signs and symptoms 

Lower tract UTI symptoms( Involving urethra and bladder) 

1. Lower abdominal and pelvic pain.

2. Frequency of urination ( amount of urine may or may not be scanty.)

3. Burning with urination.

4. Increased urgency of urination.

5. Cloudy urine.

6. Urine that looks like cola or tea.

7. Bloody urine.

8. Strong smelling urine.

9. Rectal pain especially in men. 

Upper tract UTI symptoms(Involving kidneys) 

1. Pain and tenderness in the back, and sides of abdomen.

2.Chills

3.Fever

4. Nausea and vomiting. 

Investigation:

1.Microscopic examination of urine-detects pus cells ,RBCs, crystals, casts and epithelial cells.

This helps in confirming diagnosis. 

To assess the severity

To predict the prognosis.

2. Urine culture: 

To detect the organism causing infection.

To know which bacteria is responsible. This is no not of much importance in Homoeopathic  prescription.

3. Ultrasonography (USG)

4.CT Scan

What should be done immediately: Increase the water intake immediately as soon as symptoms are produced. More urine produced helps in washing away the causative organism.

Medical management:

UTI is a significant Health care problem which has to be dealt properly. Apart from the Conventional practice of antibiotics as the only method of treating bacterial urinary tract infection, we should know that Homoeopathic medicines act wonderfully in curing UTI whether bacterial, viral or due to any other organisms. Experimental studies reveal that Individualised Homoeopathic medicines help in recurrent UTI, also helps curing renal stones which thereby reduces episodes of UTI.

Studies reveal cure of Antibiotic-resistant infection with individualised Homoeopathic treatment. Studies say that the cure obtained using Homoeopathic medicines are not bactericidal or bacteriostatic.The findings are in concordance with the hypothesis that homeopathy is based on host effects, for example, activation of the immune system, rather than effects on pathogens. Innumerable studies shows the efficacy of Homoeopathic medicines for Urinary tract infections. Everyone is requested to go through the links of scientific studies provided below.

Homoeopathic medicines are selected for each patient taking into consideration all the physical mental and emotional symptoms during during the infection. The symptoms are evaluated after afterwards and adequate repetition and further follow up is provided. In cases of recurrent UTI, constitutional medicines are given after the infection subsides, which are selected according to Homoeopathic principles. Constitutional treatment given provides complete cure thereby ensuring no more recurrence.In cases of UTI where the maintaining cause remains viz. Renal stone, urinary tract anomalies, tumours etc must be treated accordingly.Both Potentised dilutions as well as Mother tinctures are highly effective in UTI. 

Every Homoeopathic medicine should be taken strictly under the supervision of a Registered medical practitioner. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31945769/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718136/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332104171_A_REVIEW_ON_RESEARCH_EVIDENCES_IN_HOMOEOPATHY_FOR_URINARY_TRACT_INFECTIONS

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320046516_A_role_for_homoeopathy_in_urinary_tract_infection

https://www.worldwidejournals.com/paripex/article/urinary-tract-infections-uti-and-homeopathy/MTM1NTc=/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29566404/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31958866/

https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/your-guide-urinary-tract-infections

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33260701/

https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hn-2262002

Dr Surya S Nair

Online consultation at :

1. Homoeomedicos.com

2.Dr Surya's Homoeopathic Speciality Clinic (https//:www drsurya.co.in)

Offline consultation at :Sanjeevini Homoeopathic Clinic, Mannar

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