Urinary tract infection involves infection in any part of the urinary system. Depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected, UTIs are given different names:
- URETHRITIS : For infection of urethra.
- CYSTITIS : For urinary bladder infection.
- PYELONEPHRITIS : For kidney infection.
About 20 percent of women have UTIs during their lifetime.
CAUSATIVE AGENTS
- The commonest organism is Escherichia Coli which is present in 80 to 90 percent cases.
- Chlamydia and Mycoplasma bacteria can infect the urethra but not the bladder.
- Other agents: Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterococci, Staphylococcus,etc.
COMMON PREVALENCE
- UTIs are most common in females.
- Reason : They have shorter urethra which allows easy access of microbes to the bladder.
- The prevalence of UTI upto 11 years is around 1 percent for boys and 3 percent for girls.
- In pregnancy, it rises upto 10 percent.
- In older girls, there is a 10 fold increase in incidence as compared to boys.
RISK FACTORS
- Increased sexual intercourse with multiple partners or new partners.
- Poor personal hygiene
- Having a urinary catheter.
- Immuno- compromising disorders like Diabetes Mellitus.
- Kidney stones.
- Use of contraceptives.
- Bowel incontinence
- Hypo- estrogenic state as in Menopause.
- Heavy use of antibiotics.
- Immobility for a prolonged time.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF UTI
- Frequent urging to urinate.
- Cloudy urine
- Strong smelling urine (offensiveness)
- Pain before, during and after urination.
- Burning during urination
- Muscle aches
- Pain in abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting after fever
HOMEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS OF UTI
1. CANTHARIS:
- Strong urging to urinate with cutting pains that are felt before the urine passes as well as during and after – may indicate Cantharis.
- Only several drops pass at a time with a scalding sensation.
- The person may feel as if the bladder had been emptied, still feeling a constant urge to urinate.
2. SARSAPARILLA:
- Useful in cystitis and often helps when symptoms are unclear or if other remedies have not been effective.
- Frequent urging is felt with burning pain at the end of micturition.
- Urine passes when a person is standing up but only dribbling occurs while sitting.
- Also useful when stones are forming or kidneys are involved.
3. APIS MELLIFICA:
- This remedy is indicated when the person frequently needs to urinate But only small quantities are passed.
- Stinging and burning sensations are also felt.(Especially with the last drops)
- The person may experience soreness in the abdomen.
- Heat and touch make the symptoms worse.
- Better by cold applications, cold bathing and open air.
- Patients are usually thirstless.
4. BERBERIS VULGARIS:
- Cystitis with twinges of cutting pain or burning feeling that extends to the urethra and its opening may indicate this remedy.
- The passage may burn at time when no attempt at urination is made.
- After emptying the bladder, the person feels as if some urine still remains inside.
- Better by walking.
5. LYCOPODIUM:
- If a person has to urinate frequently during night and passes large amounts of urine.
- The person may feel a painful urge but has to strain to make the urine flow.
- Pain may be felt in the back before the urine passes.