Category: Urinary Tracts

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Bladder Problems Urinary Incontinence Urinary Tract Infection Urinary Tracts

Urinary Tract Infections Affect Millions The Cures Are Faltering  

Urinary Tract Infections Affect Millions The Cures Are Faltering  

Millions of people come down with a urinary tract infection every year, and it’s considered a common condition. The frightening aspect is that antibiotics used to treat the ailment are no longer working as effectively. A UTI or infection of the urinary tract is no fun and can cause a burning sensation, pain, and fever. The bacteria in UTIs is getting tougher and resisting medicine’s wonder drugs.

More women than men develop UTIs and it has to do with their anatomy. For example, females have shorter urethras than males. That means bacteria have a briefer or faster ride to the bladder to cause problems.

Urinary Tract Infections Affect Millions The Cures Are Faltering  

Around the globe, resistance to antibiotics is becoming a serious issue for all kinds of diseases. An article in the NYTimes found that when humans over-use these medications, the body’s germs develop a stronger defense to survive.

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, believe that some of the antibiotic-resistant strains are coming from food-borne bacteria. In fact, poultry is believed to be a germ-passer. For instance, E.coli is considered the most common kind of urinary tract infection. Bactrim, one of the most effective antibiotics available to treat the E.coli bacteria isn’t working now.

Ampicillin used to be another great wonder drug to eliminate the infection, but it, too, is failing to cure.

The New York Times gave this example about a patient challenged with an infection of the urinary tract. Carolina Barcelos came down with a UTI earlier this year. Neither of the first two drugs she took helped. For eight days she kept popping antibiotics that weren’t working.

What’s even less encouraging are the old-fashioned natural methods for curing a UTI. Some folks swear by drinking cranberry juice and/or taking cranberry pill supplements. Unfortunately, health care experts believe these over-the-counter methods don’t do much to cure these kinds of infections. A UTI can develop in the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys.

Here is some encouraging news on the non-antibiotic front. A new study has been conducted at Stanford University in California. The findings show that in the future antibiotics may not be necessary to cure a urinary tract issue. Medical News Today points to using cellulose as a new strategy.

Cellulose is found in algae, plants and even types of bacteria. The research discovered that a unique cellulose molecule performs like a glue between the bacteria and bladder cells. In time, it is hoped that this molecule can break the infectious cycle.

In the meantime, developing a UTI during a woman’s reproductive years is quite common. The numbers tell the story. Females are 50 times more likely than males to have a urinary tract infection.

Authorities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe the nation can do better. At the moment, UTIs are not tracked nationally in the United States and should be. The best advice is to see one’s physician when UTI symptoms appear. The doctor can then help the patient decide if antibiotics are warranted.

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health Urinary Tracts

8 Reasons Your Pee Looks Kinda Cloudy

8 Reasons Your Pee Looks Kinda Cloudy

Looking at your own pee is well disgusting. Nobody wants to look over in the toilet bowl, and see how their pee looks. The truth is though, you might want to peer over to take a look at your pee. Normal pee should be either clear or pale yellow, but what if you look over and your pee is cloudy? It could be something like a urinary tract infection, or something else. 

First of all, do not go off to the internet, and think that you have the worst thing possible. Chances are it is nothing serious. In some cases, it might just be the color of your pee. There are several reasons why your urine might be a bit cloudy. Read on for eight reasons why your pee might be cloudy. 

8 Reasons Your Pee Looks Kinda Cloudy

1. Water Consumption.

The first thing that you should consider when you see cloudy pee is the fact that you are probably dehydrated. Dehydration can quickly cause cloudy pee. You may think that you drink enough, but the fact is that if you are not drinking water, and I mean plain water, you are not hydrated enough. You should be consuming at least 70 ounces of water daily. If you have cloudy urine, increasing your water intake should be the first thing you try. 

2. You have a urinary tract infection.

Oh, how women love to get a urinary tract infection! Not! When bacteria infect your urinary system, you can get a urinary infection. Cloudy urine can be a sign that you have an infection starting. If you suspect that you are getting a urinary infection, you should start on some natural treatments immediately. Drinking cranberry juice, blueberry juice, and apple cider vinegar can all help to get rid of the infection. 

3. You have come down with vaginitis.

Vaginitis is just as annoying as an infection in your urinary tract. You will have cloudy urine as well as a discharge. Even have some itching with vaginitis. You can treat this by changing your diet. You can eat things like yogurt to help keep your PH balanced well. 

4. You have a sexually transmitted infection.

In some cases, when you see cloudy urine, you may have a sexually transmitted infection like Chlamydia or gonorrhea. You will probably see this more in the initial stages of the infection. This is due to the sexually transmitted infection releasing discharge which then taints the urine. 

5. You have a kidney stone.

Kidney stones are painful things that should never exist. Kidney stones cause tiny scratches which may show up like cloudiness in your urine. Dealing with a kidney stone will be painful, but with some diet changes, and increased consumption of water, you should be able to pass them. Diet changes will help to prevent a recurrence of kidney stones. 

6. You have blood in your urine.

In some cases, the cloudiness in your urine is actually blood. This is because it is a small amount, and taints your urine. This blood is typically caused by urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and kidney stones. 

7. You have CKD or chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is highly unlikely when you see cloudy urine. It is very rare that a healthy person has this. The disease caused when the kidney stops performing its main functions. It does have other symptoms like nausea, difficulty breathing, yellowing of the skin, and muscle cramps. 

Related Link: How Much Should You Pee to Stay Healthy

8. You may have diabetes.

If you have cloudy urine, you may want to consider the fact that you may have diabetes. This is caused by your body not producing insulin efficiently. If you have diabetes, it can be managed by diet and lifestyle changes. 

If you have cloudy urine, consider the above. Try a few diet changes, and increase your water intake. You may see great improvement in your urine quickly.

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Bladder Problems kidney Urinary Tracts yeast infection

8 Kidney Infection Symptoms In Women You Should Know About

8 Kidney Infection Symptoms In Women You Should Know About

You must know how the kidney infection symptoms are humiliating if you have ever had an infection in your urinary tract. Talk of a burning sensation when urinating and the constant urge to urinate all the time. These are just some indicators of a serious underlying medical condition: a kidney infection.

Although kidney infections are not common to healthy people, most start as a UTI. Staci Leisman, an Internist and Nephrologist at Mount Sinai Hospital, says that most people recognize they have a kidney problem when they experience other symptoms apart from frequent urination and burning sensation. She terms it as an ascending infection since it moves upward from the bladder to the kidneys.

What Causes Kidney Infection

Kidney infection is mostly caused by a bacterium called E. coli although it can also be triggered by other bacteria. The bacteria enter through the skin into bloodstream and then travel to your kidney. Though uncommon, the infection can also occur after a kidney surgery.
Anyone can become infected although women are more vulnerable than men. This is mainly because women have a shorter urethra. Expectant women are at a higher risk of bladder and kidney infection due to baby’s pressure on ureter. In other words, anything that prevents urine from flowing can increase your chances of getting a kidney infection. These include:

Urinary tract blockage, such as kidney stones.
Conditions that prevents the bladder from emptying completely.
Weakened immune system.

Structural issues in the urinary tract, such as a pinched urethra.
Vesicoureteral reflux. This is a condition where urine flows backward from the urethra to the kidneys.

Is Kidney infection Treatable?

A kidney infection is easily treatable through oral antibiotics and normally takes a week to recover completely. However, in rare cases, it can advance to septic shock. This can be deadly. In worst scenarios, high blood pressure or kidney failure can occur.
If you experience any uncomfortable symptoms of a UTI, contact your ob-gyn as soon as possible. You may be at a risk of developing a kidney infection if you notice any of the following symptoms.

Burning pain when urinating

This is a condition that medical experts refer to as dysuria. It is common in women with health problems like vaginal infections or yeast infections. Leisman notes that the burning sensation experienced when you visit the restroom can be triggered by an inflammation of the lining of the urethra.

Frequent urination

Apart from visiting the washroom more than 20 times in a day, you will notice that only a small amount comes out. Leisman says the bladder is well-designed to hold more urine. However, an irritation due to an infection can make you think it is full all the time.

An urgent need to urinate

This happens when you feel like you have to empty your bladder right away. That irritation in your bladder that creates the need to pee all the time is the one that makes you feel like finding a restroom immediately.

Cloudy or smelly urine

Unlike other vaginal problems, kidney infections don’t come with a discharge. This means you can rule out a kidney infection as a cause if you notice some discharge. However, cloudy or stinky urine can indicate you have a bacterial infection in your kidneys or bladder.

Abdominal pain

The kidneys are located against the back muscles in the upper part of the abdomen. Pain in your abdomen, groin, or at the back can signal a kidney infection.

Fever and chills

People with kidney infections normally experience high fevers with temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Some also experience night sweats, chills, and other symptoms due to systemic infection.

Pus in urine

Your doctor will use a dipstick urine test to find out if there is pus. Its presence is an indication that your urethra is inflamed and could be shedding some blood. You may also notice some blood when you visit the bathroom. But for pus, it may actually be a sign of a major kidney infection.

Nausea and vomiting

Just like the way a kidney infection triggers systemic symptoms like chills and fever, it can cause nausea and vomiting. Some patients with this infection may lose appetite.

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Hygiene infectious diseases Skin Care Urinary Tracts yeast infection

7 Places You Can Get a Yeast Infection Other Than Your Vagina

7 Places You Can Get a Yeast Infection Other Than Your Vagina

On hearing yeast infection, many women feel itchy down there. It is caused by fungus known as candida. It can also make other parts of your bony to burn and itch. Thankfully, Kathleen Green says that the infections of the yeast can be treated in any part of the body, with oral medical prescriptions or using cream that treats vaginal yeast infections.

The fungus is not the only cause, but if the yeast grows more than other ‘beneficial bacteria’ in the body, an infection can occur. Anything that adds moisture like having sex, sweating or sitting for quite some time in a bathing suit that is wet can create a good ground for yeast to multiply in the vagina.  The extra moisture in other damp parts of the body can create an environment of yeast to grow.

Here are some other parts of the body that can be affected by yeast.

7 Places You Can Get a Yeast Infection Other Than Your Vagina

Skin

Any part on the skin that receives constant moisture, yeast infection can occur.  However, immune compromised and diabetic patients are usually the ones who experience this. Since their bodies cannot combat the infection swiftly. In such a case doctors prescribe a stronger medication which has a lengthier course than the cream.

The infections can also grow beneath skin folds. Creams such as Monistat can help to eliminate the fungi when it is a small area of the skin. For infections that spread to larger places, the best solution is the prescription medication.

Feet

Just like athlete’s foot, there is another fungus infection known as trichophytonmentagroptyhes that can attack your feet. It is also known as Tinea Pedis. It causes redness, peeling, itching, burning, and sometimes sores and blisters. To blame is dumpy and sweaty shoes or socks. Therefore, it is advisable you have your feet dry and clean to stop yeast from thriving between your toes. Once infected, the best treatment is with over-the-counter antifungal cream.

Mouth

This is a common yeast infection that is only found in babies who are bottle or breastfeeding. If the babies have not learned to swallow, the milk can remain on the tongue and this causes an infection. An oral antifungal medication prescription is given by doctors to eliminate the white patches and infections on the tongue.

Breasts

Mothers who are breastfeeding are more vulnerable to yeast infections. The mouth of the baby can alter the balance of the pH and increase moisture that makes yeast to thrive. Extra sweat causes an infection under the breasts. To prevent the fungi from creating problems, ensure the area is clean and do not stay in a sweaty bra for long after a workout. The same way with other skin yeast infections, an antifungal cream can clear up the infection especially if concentrated in one area. In a case where the infection persists and spreads, it is time to talk to your doctor to see if you need an oral prescription.

Oesophagus

There are types of oral medications used for treatment of other problems that can make yeast to thrive there. Thrush is a throat yeast infection and usually affects immunocompromised patients, either when having a chemotherapy or suffering from autoimmune disease. If this happens, see you doctor who might decide you take an oral solution to quickly treat the yeast infection.

Related Link: Optimize Your Feminine Hygiene and Eliminate Yeast Infections With Coconut Oil

Butt

The yeast infection of the vagina can easily spread to the butt. This usually happens when women itch their vaginas and then itch the skin on the butts and between the cheeks. The infection can be transmitted by their hands. To eliminate the infection apply Monistat cream. If you are suffering from both anal and butt infection, it is recommendable to have three to seven-day treatment to destroy the yeast completely.

Penis

According to Green about 20% of penises are inhabited with yeast. While the yeast infection on the penis may not cause symptoms, at times burning and itching can happen as a result of it. The penis yeast infection like any other infection on the skin can occur as a result of extra moisture from the fluids of the body such as sweat. This forms a conducive ground for yeast to grow. The infrequent changing of underwear after working increases the risks of contracting the infection.

Conclusion

There are myths that yeast infections are incurable. According to a study that was conducted by Monistat, about 68% of respondents believed that the infections of yeast are permanent and cannot be cured. The truth of the matter is that yeast infections are treatable using various antifungal treatments either by applying or orally.  Most of the over-the-counter medications work very well .In rare cases when they don’t work talk to your doctor for medical prescriptions.

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health infectious diseases Urinary Tracts

6 Lovemaking Injuries and What to Do About Them

6 Lovemaking Injuries and What to Do About Them

Lovemaking is fun, but it is a physical activity that can sometimes lead to painful injuries. These six injuries often happen while couples are making love, and they can be very uncomfortable and awkward. Fortunately, it is normally possible to recover from these six lovemaking injuries without needing to go to the doctor.

Tears Down There
Doctors agree that this is the most common injury among women. The area is very delicate, so it can easily be damaged by vigorous lovemaking. It happens when a couple is too rough or there is not enough lubrication. Common symptoms include blood between the legs, discomfort, and visible damage. These types of tears quickly heal as long as you take a break from lovemaking. You typically just need to take some antibiotics to prevent any infections. To keep tears from happening again, try going at a slower pace and using a lubricant.

Carpet Burn
This injury tends to happen to couples who are trying to be adventurous. While lovemaking on a carpet or rug, the friction from the rough surface can damage delicate skin. This normally results in a reddened area that is painful to touch. As long as the skin surface is not broken, it will heal quickly. All you have to do is gently clean it and put antibacterial cream on the affected area. In the future, carpet burn can be prevented by laying down a soft blanket before any lovemaking on the carpet.

RELATED ARTICLE: All You Should Know About ‘NEW’ STD And How To Prevent It

Urinary Tract Infection
During lovemaking, the movements of you and your partner can cause bacteria to enter the urinary tract. This can cause a burning or itching sensation whenever you use the toilet. Other symptoms include backaches, headaches, and bloody or cloudy urine. If you have a urinary tract infection, you can drink water and cranberry juice to flush out bacteria. The pain can be soothed with a warm bath or heating pad. However, antibiotics may be needed if home treatments do not work. You can lower your risk of getting a urinary tract infection after lovemaking by urinating after each lovemaking session.

Items Get Stuck Too Far Up
It might sound bizarre, but gynecologists agree that this issue is not actually rare. Foreign objects can include tampons or other instruments that accidentally get stuck in the body. Many women freak out if this happens, but it is actually very easy to fix. If the item is hard to remove, the best thing to do is wait ten minutes. Once the canal is no longer aroused, it will shorten in length. This makes it simple to reach up and remove the stuck object. If this does not work, a medical professional will be able to remove it.

Yeast Infection
A yeast infection happens when something throws off the female body’s natural balance. Symptoms are itchiness and white discharge. This type of infection can happen for any reason, but lovemaking is one of the common causes. Excess sugar makes yeast flourish, so lovemaking right after eating sweets can cause a yeast infection. Yeast infections can normally be treated with antifungal cream from a drugstore. Eating yogurt or other fermented foods will help the body to fight off the excess yeast. To keep it from happening again, ensure that your partner cleans his body and mouth before lovemaking.

Injured Back Muscles or Joints
The vigorous movements of lovemaking can strain muscles or put stress on joints. This might seem worrying, but this type of injury normally is not permanent. To keep the injury from getting worse, use an ice pack on the painful area. This will lower inflammation and swelling. Then you can manage any pain with over the counter painkillers and a heating pad. To keep from injuring your back next time, try to use positions that are easier on the back. Positions such as the woman on the top should be avoided.

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infectious diseases Urinary Tracts

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Yeast Infection

6 Things You Didn't Know About Yeast Infection

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Yeast Infection

Yeast infection isn’t exactly news. Not when three out of four women will have at least one during their lifetimes, and 50% of women will have two or more. But don’t let the fact that these infections are fairly common and treated with relative ease fool you into thinking you know all there is to know about them!

Here’s a brief recap of the facts, just to make sure everyone is on the same page. Yeast infections are vaginal infections affecting the vulva, or the area around the vagina. The infection caused by the Candida fungus, which is always present in the vagina, but sometimes goes a little haywire, resulting in too much of a good thing. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include burning, redness and swelling of the area; pain when urinating; pain during love making; and an odorless, white, cottage cheese-like discharge.

While the majority of women will get at least one yeast infection during their lifetimes, there are a few factors that increase the risk: pregnancy, a recent course of antibiotics and using hormonal birth control high in estrogen, for example.

Fortunately, yeast infections are easy to treat for the most part. Many women manage to deal with the problem using over-the-counter anti-fungal creams, tablets or suppositories. But it has to be said, these treatments don’t work for everyone. Women who experience repeated yeast infections may develop a resistance to OTC treatments. Not only that, not every vaginal infection displaying the symptoms noted above is a yeast infection. If you’ve self-treated for a few days and can’t see any difference, it’s time to visit the doctor.

6 Things You Didn't Know About Yeast Infection
6 Things You Didn’t Know About Yeast Infection

Those would be the basic facts, and most women know them. Here are a few you might not know:

1- You don’t have to be an adult to get a yeast infection. They can affect women and girls of any age, although they’re rare before puberty and after menopause.

Related Link: Optimize Your Feminine Hygiene and Eliminate Yeast Infections With Coconut Oil

2- Far from protecting you, douches and vaginal hygiene products can actually increase your chances of getting a yeast infection! The best way to protect yourself is a daily vaginal rinse with warm water or very a mild soap. Dry with a clean towel, and you’re good to go!

3- Yeast infections can show up in other places. Your mouth, for example, where it’s called thrush and cottage cheese-like lesions blanket your tongue, cheeks and gums. Believe it or not, you can also get thrush from breastfeeding! If your nipples are sore for more than a few days; if they’re flaky, shiny, itchy or cracked, deep pink or blistered, it’s time to make that doctor’s appointment.

4- Men can get yeast infections, too. Unprotected contact with an infected woman can spread the fungus. In guys, yeast infections usually show up with itching and burning, possibly redness or a rash on the penis. Over-the-counter creams applied twice daily for about a week usually take care of the problem.

5- Recurring yeast infections can signal other, more serious problems—like diabetes, for instance. High blood-glucose can be a catalyst for increased yeast growth. Women with compromised immune systems are also vulnerable to repeat infection, so if you get several yeast infections a year, you’ll want to get checked out.

6- Your diet may be a factor. Like your carbs? Then you may not want to hear that high carbohydrate intake has been linked to increased Candida levels. Taking probiotics or eating yogurt with live cultures, on the other hand, may decrease your risk.

Always good to end on a high note, right?

The Truth Behind Common Beliefs About Yeast Infections

Vaginal yeast infection

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Urinary Tracts

5 Simple Ways to Treat Incontinence

5 Simple Ways to Treat Incontinence

5 Simple Ways to Treat Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is sometimes hard to talk about, but it may help to know that it is a much more common condition than many realize. Defined by the Mayo clinic as a loss of bladder control, incontinence affects more than 25 million adult Americans to some degree.

Causes for incontinence range far and wide. For women, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are the leading reasons for developing the condition. Some of the leading causes for incontinence in men include: squeezing the bladder during physical exertion, damage to the muscle tissue surrounding the urethra, or even a blockage of the urethra causing a build-up of urine in the bladder.

5 Simple Ways to Treat Incontinence

Common Types of Incontinence

• Urge Incontinence – Occurs when there is a strong need to urinate but the person cannot reach a bathroom in time.

• Stress Incontinence – Occurs when a physical stressor results in incontinence. Examples can include sneezing, laughing, and even coughing.

• Mixed Incontinence – This is a combination of both urge and stress incontinence.

Simple Remedies

• Vacate Fully – Often the simplest solution is one of the best. It is important that while urinating, the bladder is fully emptied even if it means waiting longer than usual.

• Avoid Diuretics – Diuretics are chemicals that cause an increased production of urine. The two most common diuretics available are caffeine and alcohol.

• Weight Loss – Pelvic floor muscle strength is greatly reduced as a result of obesity. By losing weight, the pressure exerted on the pelvic region will be greatly reduced and help with any incontinence issues.

• Kegel Exercises – These exercises involve squeezing the pelvic muscles tightly and then relaxing in a repetitive series.

• Monitor Water Intake – Fear of incontinence can lead to a reduction of water intake. This can lead to highly concentrated urine that can aggravate the bladder. It is recommended to drink at least five to eight glasses of water per day.

The reasons for incontinence may vary widely, especially among men and women. What is important to remember is that there are simple remedies than can help control the condition regardless of gender.

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Urinary Tracts

10 Interesting Facts About Urine

10 Interesting Facts About Urine

10 Interesting Facts About Urine

Everyone urinates, but not everyone has a good understanding of what urine is or how the body’s urinary system works. People are often unaware of certain basic facts about urine like its correct color or if there is pee on the moon.

Here are a few lesser-known truths about pee:

10 Interesting Facts About Urine

1. Eating Certain Foods Can Give Urine an Odor

Certain foods and medicines can affect the way urine smells. Asparagus is a well-known example; however, it should be noted that only 20 percent of people have the gene that allows them to smell asparagus in urine. Other less pleasant smells may be due to diabetes or bacteria.

2. Urine Should Not be Completely Clear

The popular belief is that urine should have the appearance of water and that any yellowness is a sign of dehydration. The truth is that there should be some yellow, just not too much. Clear urine can be a sign of over-hydration.

3. Phosphorus was Discovered by Heating Urine

In 1669, Hennig Brand distilled about 60 buckets of urine in the effort to find gold. His idea was that it was yellow and therefore it may contain the precious metal. Urine contains no gold but it does have a significant amount of phosphates and that is what he found instead.

4. Urine Has Been Used to Make Gas Masks

Shortly after chlorine gas was used for the first time in World War 1, troops were advised to hold a urine soaked rag over their faces. There were no gas masks available at that point. It was thought that the ammonia in urine would neutralize the chlorine thus protecting the soldiers from the worst effects of the gas. More advanced gas masks became available in the later part of the war.

5. The Average Bladder Can Hold a Soda

While it may seem to hold more after two or three cups of coffee, the human bladder actually holds roughly the same amount of liquid as a soda can.

6. One in Every Five Adults has Urinated in a Swimming Pool

20 percent of adults responding to a 2009 survey admitted to peeing in swimming pools. The strong chemical smell widely associated with swimming pool water is not from chlorine. It is chloramine, the chemical that is produced when chlorine is mixed with urine or the sweat of swimmers.

7. Urine as an Antidote for Jellyfish Stings

If a jellyfish ever stings you, you may find people offering to urinate on you as you writhe in pain; do not let them do it. Urine provides no benefit whatsoever. According to a study in the Western Journal of Medicine, it can actually set off any remaining stinging cells. Fresh water can have the same effect. The best solution is to wash the affected area with seawater.

8. Urine Can be Made into Whiskey

Not only is it possible, it has been done. Urine from volunteers has been purified and added to mash to speed up fermentation. The high sugar content of the urine is what makes it suitable for this.

9. There is Urine on the Moon

The moon is presently home to more than 400,000 pounds of material made by humans. Included amongst the detritus are bags of feces and urine from the moon landings.

10. Urine Can Cause Frogs to Lay Eggs

A dose of urine from a pregnant woman injected into the female South African Clawed Frog will cause it to lay eggs within 12 hours. The male frogs may also be used to test for pregnancy as they will produce sperm as a reaction to the injection. The reaction is due to a hormone in pregnant women’s urine. An earlier version of the test that used rabbits (the rabbit test) led to the phrase “the rabbit died” becoming a euphemism for pregnancy.

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Most Popular Urinary Tracts women's health

Top 6 Ways to Make Your Lady Parts Smell Good

Top 6 Ways to Make Your Lady Parts Smell Good

Top 6 Ways to Make Your Lady Parts Smell Good

Almost everyone who has one has had to deal with unpleasant, and subsequently embarrassing, lady part odor. The vulva and lady parts do have a typical odor, but a urine-like or fishy smell can be an indication something more serious is happening. If there’s a strange lady part odor, the first step you should take is to find the source or the cause and treat it as soon as possible to avoid any future infections or complications.

Your vulva’s bouquet can vary throughout the menstrual cycle and can be particularly apparent after making love or masturbation, sweating can also increase lady part odor. Even though it can be tempting to try, don’t douche or use a lady part deodorant as these products can actually increase irritation and cause more problems than they fix.

Bacterial vaginosis, which is an overgrowth of naturally-occurring bacteria, is the most common infection that can cause lady part odor. Trichomoniasis is an STD that can also lead to lady part odor. Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and yeast infections do not typically cause a change in odor although a particularly strong yeast infection can smell like rising dough.

Top 6 Ways to Make Your Vagina Smell Good

When lady part odor comes with cottage cheese-looking discharge that’s yellowish or whitish, or you have burning, itching, or just regular irritation of the lady part, labia, and vulva – chances are good that the culprit is an infection. The type of smell can vary from person to person and also depends on the kind of infection you have. If there’s blood in the discharge, then the infection may have reached the reproductive organs and medical attention is needed as soon as possible.

It’s good to remember that if you have lady part odor WITHOUT other symptoms, it’s likely the smell is normal. If you’re particularly worried about it, however, it’s never a bad idea to make an appointment with your gynecologist just to be sure. The medications that you take, even natural supplements, can change your personal smells to something less pleasant than what you are used to.

Good hygiene is important. The vagina and vulva are essentially a rich ecosystem; everything has to exist in the right balance and it is easy to upset it. If you use soap, antibacterials, use pools frequently, take hot baths, use lotion too close to the vulva, don’t change underwear often enough, use scented pads, or use underwear made out of stifling material (amongst other things), this delicate balance can be upset and can cause problems. Basically all you need to do is to avoid these things, rinse your vulva with warm water, avoid soap, and wear clean clothes.

A simple way to improve the health of your vagina is to consume yogurt with live and active cultures every day. You can also make a great special suppository by freezing Greek yogurt (plain, with live and active cultures) in the fingers of a glove. Insert it before going to bed with a pad in your underwear to catch the secretions.

Another powerful antibiotic you probably have in your kitchen is garlic, specifically a clove of garlic. Insert one into the vagina and keep it there for a few hours to alleviate odor.

A long, warm (not hot!) bath with two or three cups of apple cider vinegar will help restore the acidic quality of the lady part flora as well as fight off toxins that cause infection.

Change pads and tampons every four to eight hours during the menstrual cycle, as needed.

If it’s your natural body odor that is offending you, try increasing your fish, fruit, and vegetable intakes while reducing consumption of red meats.

Never think that your natural smells are bad smells; it’s designed to smell like a honey pot and that is a good thing. It’s not supposed to smell like soap or flowers!

 

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Urinary Tracts

Which Is Healthier; Red or White Wine?

Which Is Healthier; Red or White Wine?

We’ve all heard the hype around red wine being heart-healthy and fun. The alcohol and the antioxidants such as resveratrol, flavonoids, and polyphenols have been proven to increase the levels of good (HDL) cholesterol and prevent artery damage. They also have antioxidants which reduce the effects of free radicals and defend against disease.

Studies from the ’90s indicated that the high wine consumption in France could partially be responsible for the low rates of cardiovascular disease in that country, despite the high intake of saturated fat. Later clinical studies showed that while wine doesn’t cancel out all of the effects, all of those antioxidants are still good to have. However, all alcohol has been shown to have positive health benefits, as ethanol is a key ingredient that helps the heart.

Which Is Healthier, Red or White Wine?

The reason why red wine gets so much credit – though no research proves that it is superior to white – is that it contains some of the strongest antioxidant compounds found in nature. Other than the polyphenols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and other compounds that I mentioned earlier, it’s resveratrol that’s the rockstar. Resveratrol is a chemical that has been shown to hold great promise in the fight against heart and brain damage, reversing harmful conditions, and reducing inflammation. These compounds are found in the skins of grapes which appear more often in red wine than white as red wine grapes stay intact with their skins for longer during the winemaking process. Thus, most published research shows that that when you want to prevent stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer – red wine is the beverage of choice.

White wines are made of white grapes, not a surprise, and are made without seeds or, typically, the skins. After the skins are removed, yeast is added to ferment the juice. White wines tend to be crisp, light, with a fruity flavor and pleasant aroma. White wines are also rich in antioxidants. Both American and European lab studies have shown the polyphenols contained in red and white grapes are equally high in antioxidants and some have even shown that white wine might actually be more effective in lowering free radical activity as well as lowering cholesterol.

However, white wine does lack the chemical resveratrol. The effects of resveratrol requires further study, but it may prevent cancer cell growth including breast cancer. It can also protect fatty deposits from happening on the artery walls. As red wines are fermented for longer periods, and with their skins, red wine contains more resveratrol.

Long story short: they’re all good… in moderation.

The health benefits of wine can be cancelled out if consumed too heavily. The average recommendation is two drinks per day, though some say one for women and two for men saying the differences in physiology and alcohol metabolism rates are cause for concern. Unfortunately, most women will have a higher concentration of alcohol in their blood from less alcohol than the men they drink with. That being said, non-drinkers are not encouraged to pick up the habit.

Which Is Healthier; Red or White Wine?

Categories
Chronic disease Urinary Tracts

Common Habits That Seriously Damage Kidneys!

Common Habits That Seriously Damage Kidneys!

8 Common Habits That May Damage Kidneys

The kidneys are important body organs. Their main job is to take care of the urination process in our bodies by filtering body waste and excess water in the system. Despite being such an important component of our body, many of us do not properly care for them and millions of people die each year from kidney disease. There are habits many of us have that can harm our kidneys. Here is a list of some habits that seriously damage kidneys:

1. Drinking inadequate water
Not drinking enough water is the biggest contributor to damage that our kidneys bear everyday. The main job of our kidneys is to drain metabolic waste from the body and regulate erythrocyte balances. When we do not stay properly hydrated, the renal blood flow decreases, ultimately resulting in accumulation of toxins in the blood. Try drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water each day and avoid caffeine, which dehydrates the body.

2. Long-term full bladder
A habit many of us have is delaying the call of nature. When we leave the bladder full of urine for an extended time, different complications in urinary tract may arise: Hypertrophy of detrusor muscle is one example of such complications which may lead to formation of bladder diverticulae. Hydronephrosis (increase in the urine pressure in the kidneys) is another example which is caused by chronic back pressure on the kidneys, ultimately resulting in renal failure and increasing the body’s need for dialysis. Urinary incontinence due to overflow is also another serious complication of long term urinary retention [Natural Remedies for Incontinence].

Common Habits That May Damage Kidneys

3.Consuming too much sodium
Metabolizing the sodium we consume is another job for our kidneys. The salt we eat is the prime source of sodium and the majority of our sodium intake needs to be excreted. When we eat excessive salt, the kidneys keep busy excreting sodium, which may cause long term stress on our kidneys. 90% of Americans consume too much salt and there are some useful tips to manage your salt intake.

4. Consumption of too much caffeine
When we feel thirsty, we often choose beverages other than water like soft drinks and sodas. Many of these beverages contain caffeine. Caffeine can elevate the blood pressure and high blood pressure puts a strain on the kidneys, which can damage them. According to researchers, most healthy adults can consume about two to four cups of brewed coffee a day and will be able to stay away from the harmful effects of caffeine.

5. Pain-killer abuse
Taking pain-killers for low-grade pain is a bad habit many people have. Most pain-killers have severe side effects and can damage different organs, such as the kidneys. Research shows taking pain pills long term reduces blood flow and deteriorates the function of the kidneys.

6. Too much protein
Over-consumption of red meat and other protein-rich foods can deteriorate the damaged kidneys condition. A protein-rich diet is essentially healthy unless you suffer from kidney damage and your doctor recommends a protein-restricted diet. Too much protein increases the metabolic load on our kidneys. If you know you have kidney insufficiency, restrict your protein content by eating more carbs instead of protein.

7. Ignoring colds and flu
Ignoring the common cold and flu is a habit that can cause kidney damage. Studies show that people who have kidney disease also have a history of avoiding resting while sick. It is also observed that people with kidney disease are more sensitive to significant changes in weather. If you have a cold or flu, get as much rest as you can in order to keep your kidneys functioning, especially if you have known kidney disease.

8. Too much alcohol consumption
When we drink alcohol, we often ignore the proper quantity suitable for good health. Too much alcoholic intake is a kidney-damaging habit. Alcohol contains toxins which put stress on our kidneys and can damage them. it is the responsibility of the kidneys to get rid of alcohol and related toxins so too much can be more than your kidneys can handle.

kidney disease infographic

Related Articles:
The meaning of urine color
How much water do you need?

8 Common Habits That May Damage Kidneys

By Divya Shree
Edited by Stephanie Dawson
Reviewed by Nima Shei MD
[Last Updated on June 10th 2014]

Categories
health Urinary Tracts

The Meaning Of Urine Color

The Meaning Of Urine Color

Eating foods that can discolor urine, such as berries, beets and rhubarb, or taking certain medications makes it more likely that you’ll have harmless changes in your urine color.

Urine gets its yellow color from a pigment called urochrome. That color normally varies from pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the concentration of the urine. Urine can turn a rainbow of colors, and an unusual hue isn’t necessarily cause for alarm, but it can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection.

urine color

Deep purple urine is an identifying characteristic of porphyria, a rare, inherited disorder of red blood cells.

Pigments and other compounds in certain foods and medications may change your urine color. Beets, berries and fava beans are among the foods most likely to affect urine color. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications give urine more-vivid tones, raspberry red, lemon-yellow and orange.

If your urine is very pale, it means that you’re either drinking a lot of fluid, or you’re taking a diuretic (a drug that forces the body to get rid of excess water).

Red or pink urine

Seeing red urine is typically a sign that there is blood in the urine, a little blood can produce a dramatic color change, and can be a sign of something serious, like an infection or cancer, and it warrants a visit to your doctor or urologist. If you’re seeing blood and your urine is also cloudy, there’s a good chance you’ve picked up an infection.

The Meaning of Urine Color

But despite it’s alarming appearance, red urine isn’t necessarily serious, it can also be caused by:

• Blood– Factors that can cause urinary blood (hematuria) include urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, cancerous and noncancerous tumors, kidney cysts, long-distance running, and kidney or bladder stones.

• Foods– Beets, blackberries and rhubarb can turn urine red or pink.

• Medications– Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane), an antibiotic often used to treat tuberculosis, can turn urine red — as can phenazopyridine (Pyridium), a drug that numbs urinary tract discomfort, and laxatives containing senna.

• Toxins– Chronic lead or mercury poisoning can cause urine to turn red.

Orange Urine

• Medications– Medications that can turn urine orange include rifampin, the anti-inflammatory drug sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) phenazopyridine (Pyridium) a drug that numbs urinary tract discomfort, some laxatives, and certain chemotherapy drugs.

• Liver or Bile Duct Issues– In some cases, orange urine can indicate a problem with your liver or bile duct, especially if you also have light-colored stools. Orange urine may also be caused by dehydration, which can concentrate your urine and make it much deeper in color.

Blue or green urine

• Dyes– Some brightly colored food dyes can cause green urine. Dyes used for some tests of kidney and bladder function can turn urine blue.

• Medications– A number of medications produce blue or green urine, including amitriptyline, indomethacin (Indocin) and propofol (Diprivan)

• Medical conditions– Familial hypercalcemia, a rare inherited disorder, is sometimes called blue diaper syndrome because children with the disorder have blue urine. Green urine sometimes occurs during urinary tract infections caused by pseudomonas bacteria.

Dark brown or tea-colored urine

Darker urine is usually a sign that you’re not drinking enough fluid. Your body needs a certain amount of fluid to function, so the body will hold on to fluid and the urine will become very strong and concentrated. When that happens, it will turn a darker color.

• Food– Eating large amounts of fava beans, rhubarb or aloe can cause dark brown urine.

• Medications– A number of drugs can darken urine, including the antimalarial drugs chloroquine and primaquine, the antibiotics metronidazole and nitrofurantoin, laxatives containing cascara or senna, and methocarbamol — a muscle relaxant.

• Medical conditions– Some liver and kidney disorders can turn urine dark brown, as can some urinary tract infections.

Urine-chart