Urinary Tract Infections

I am learning to be a professional health care provider. Being a future pharmacist, it’s my responsible to raise awareness on health issues among the publics. Recently, I had read a lot on urinary tract infections (because this is the topic of my project… haha) and I think it’s quite important for everyone to aware about this problem.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a commonly occurring bacterial infection in both community and hospital environment. It is commonly affect women than men. It has been estimated that 25% to 40% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime. Especially young women who are sexually active, cystitis (infection of the urinary bladder) is commonly occurring. For men, it is uncommon and often represent structural abnormities when it occurs in men.

Sign and symptoms:
- passing urine frequently
- painful urination
- presence of blood in urine
- pain in lower abdomen
- fever

Prevention:
1. ) drink more water
- Increase fluid intake can flush out your bladder frequently.
2. ) front-to-back wiping after pass a stool (faeces)
- Studies found that the bacteria that causes infection is commonly comes from the faeces of patient. Front-to-back wiping can push away the bacteria from urinary tract.
3. ) Cranberry juice
- There are some evidence shows that high concentration of cranberry juice can prevent UTI by increase the antibacterial activity of urine.
4. ) Go to toilet and empty your bladder after having sex
- Movement during sex may push bacteria up into your bladder

If you found out that you might be infected with UTI, do consult a doctor. The doctor will prescribe antibiotic for you to eliminate the bacteria. Do always consult doctor’s opinion when you are sick because it is always better and easier to treat the disease at early stage.