Urinary Tract Infections: Your Questions Answered

Most people will contract a urinary tract infection at some point in their lives, but what can you do to spot the signs and prevent them? Here are some of the answers to the most common questions regards UTIs.

How do you get a urinary tract infection?

An infection in the urinary tract is most commonly caused by bacteria in the digestive tract which is spread to the urethra, which then travels up the urinary tract to the bladder and sometimes the kidneys. It can also be caused by bacteria and microorganisms which are transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Does having a urine infection mean you can’t get another one again?

This isn’t true; in fact, once you get one, you’re more susceptible to them later on. Nearly 20 per cent of women who get a urinary tract infection get another one later in life, and 30 per cent of those who have had two will get a third. Around 80 per cent of those who’ve had three will have a fourth, and four out of five women get another infections within 18 months of the last one.

How can you tell if you have an infection?

There are a number of symptoms to urinary tract infections, including frequent and urgent needs to urinate, but not making it to the toilet in time; a painful burning sensation when you urinate; cloudy or reddish-coloured urine; urine that has a strong smell, and soreness in the lower back or side. If you have a fever, nausea, vomiting or back pain accompanying your symptoms, you may well have a kidney infection. You should speak to your GP if you have symptoms as they can prescribe medication to clear the infection.

If the infection seems to have cleared, do I need to finish my medication?

Yes, you always need to finish the course of medication you’ve been prescribed. Sometimes the symptoms seem to have disappeared, but the bacteria will still be in your system so you need to finish the antibiotics to clear in. Even if the symptoms don’t appear straight away, you will be at an increased risk of another infection very quickly.

Are urinary tract infections harmful to pregnant women?

If the infection is caught and treated early, then it isn’t generally of any harm. However, pregnant women are more likely to find that the infection spreads to their kidneys which can cause kidney damage, high blood pressure and an increased risk of premature delivery. If you suspect you have an infection and you’re pregnant, you should speak to your GP as soon as possible.

Is drinking cranberry juice a good way to prevent an infection or is that an old wives’ tale?

Cranberry juice and vitamin C make your urine more acidic, which makes it more difficult for bacteria to thrive. Cranberry juice also have a unique factor which prevents bacteria from adhering to the bladder surface, so it can be useful in preventing the infection from growing.

Why do some people get regular infections?

Some women are more prone to infections than others because the cells in the vaginal areas make it easier for bacteria to invade. If you’re menopausal, you’re also at an increased risk because of the thinning tissues covering the urethra make this area less resistant to bacteria. Irritation from sex, tampons, douching or feminine deodorants can also give bacteria a chance to grow. Practicing good feminine hygiene can help limit the bacteria from spreading, along with drinking plenty of water and urinating when you need to rather than waiting.

Categories: Bacteria, cranberry juice, increased risk, infection, Pregnant Women, question, Symptoms, tract, Tract Infection, tract infections, urinary tract, urine infection

The ADHD Diet Question – Just Eat Right!

Prevention is better than cure they say. This is so true as to what to give your kids to eat. Expectant mothers have to watch their health and lifestyle too. The facts are that the worse the diet, the more likely it is that pregnant mothers will have complications at birth such as neural tube defects (NTDs) which lead to brain defects including ADHD. The children themselves, if they are on a diet of red meat, soda pop and processed foods are more at risk in developing learning disorders and ADHD.

 

We know that a poor diet does not in itself cause ADHD but making good food choices will actually help to lessen symptoms and make ADHD more manageable.  It should be just one element in a comprehensive program which will also include physical activities and basic parenting skills.

 

Look at the statistics

 

There are all sorts of alarming statistics which are related to ADHD and what we eat and drink. Consider the following:-

 

• ADHD children and adults are liable to be obese – they are plagued by problems connected with impulsivity and this is a big problem when faced with food choices


• Pregnant mothers who are overweight are much more likely to have children who will go on to develop ADHD or other NTDs . About 66% of expectant mothers in the USA are overweight!


• Obesity itself in both children and adults will have a knock on effect with depression and anxiety gaining ground as co-morbid disorders


• One of the effects of ADHD meds is that there is an increase in anxiety levels among the children, yet nobody talks about this.

 

It is a matter of life and death

 

Whether we have ADHD or not, it just makes good sense to make sure that we eating right. We are going to avoid obesity, diabetes and heart disease for a start. Then there are a whole range of diseases which are linked to obesity.

 

Reading the very sad and tender book called ‘Big Brother’, the author Lionel Shriver describes how she fought alongside her brother to help him get his weight down. There was a tragic sequel as her brother died of an obesity related illness.

 

Making the right food choices

 

So, we need to implement a few changes without going to the extremes of having a gluten free or casein free diet although there are some people who actually thrive when they do that. However, these extreme diets are not really necessary in the majority of cases. As I said, let us keep this simple.

 

1. Add in protein in the form of eggs, cheese or meat at breakfast time. The extra protein here helps to avoid sugar crashes later in the day and helps to prevent mood swings,. We know that protein is a key element in keeping the brain transmitters in tip top condition.

 

I know some ADHD parents and kids have found that their focus level and impulse control are much improved when they remember to have that vital protein at breakfast time. It is well worth the effort.

 

2. Ramp up on fruit and vegetables in whatever form you like. The USDA are recommending that 50% of what is on our plate should be fruit or vegetables. The other two quarters should be some form of protein and carbohydrates.  We can use smoothies or put vegetable toppings on pizza and so on.


3. Getting kids involved in the shopping and the preparation of vegetables is a great way of making the whole operation much more appetizing for them.


4. Go for nuts and fruit as snacks


5. Add in fish when you can – that is a whole lot healthier than red meat for example. Great favourites are trout, salmon and mackerel. These contain Omega 3 fatty acids and that helps brain function.


6. Use whole grains as much as possible.


7. Vegetables can be transformed into smoothies or put into tarts and quiches. You can even try making sweet potatoes into a puree, adding in some orange juice and yogurt and even freezing them so that are like vegetable lollipops.


8. Try portion control. The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping in mind visual clues. One fruit serving could be a small apple which is the size of a tennis ball while one vegetable serving could be a pepper which is the same size of a baseball and so on.

 

Diet can really help with ADHD

Getting your food choices right will be an enormous advantage. It will not cure ADHD but will help to keep it under control. One dietician remarked that when her ADHD daughter has the right mix of proteins and carbohydrates her behavior is much more stable and manageable.

I know another family who, when they relax the above dietary guidelines, their behavior and focus gets out of control. So, the bottom line is – just eat right!

 

Robert Locke MBE is an award winning author and has written extensively on ADHD and related child health problems. You can visit this page on http://www.natural-adhd-cure.com ADHD natural treatment to find out more.

 

Categories: ADHD, breakfast time, diet, eating right, expectant mothers, food choices, nbsp, pregnant mothers, question, red meat