Recurrent urine infections: what to do and how to avoid them

Did you know that our urinary tract forms a complete and complex drainage system, vital to eliminate excess water or the various waste materials that our body has produced, that it no longer uses and whose accumulation could be very harmful ?. It is mainly formed by the kidneys, the bladder, the urethra and the ureters.

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that are responsible for filtering, absorbing and reabsorbing salts and ions from water, they are essential to keep the blood clean and balanced from a chemical point of view. The bladder is a muscular organ shaped bag or sac that stores urine produced by the kidneys before being expelled to the outside. The urethra is the tube through which the urine contained in the bladder is expelled. While the ureters are two tube-shaped tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder.

It is very common to suffer urine infection at least once in life. In fact, in primary care they become the second cause of consultation for an infectious pathology, immediately after respiratory infections, being more common especially in women: cystitis stands out as the most common especially in young women sexually active, as well as during menopause as a consequence of estrogen deficiency and other related disorders such as urinary incontinence.

But in certain occasions, it is usually common for a recurrent urine infection; that is to say, an infection of the urinary tract that appears every so often and that does not end up disappearing altogether. For this to be the case, and we are faced with a recurrent cystitis, it is necessary to produce at least two bladder infections in 6 months, or 3 infections in 12 months.

Why do recurrent urinary infections occur?

It is very common for a urine infection, when it is recurrent, is commonly caused by a type of bacteria known by the name of Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria that lives in our intestine and that most are harmless except for some types that can cause diseases. In fact it becomes the main cause of all urinary tract infections.

There are several circumstances that can influence the recurrence of urine infection in the next 6 months after its apparent cure: inadequate or too short medical treatment, ineffectiveness of the antibiotic treatment or because of a cantonment of the microorganism in one place where precisely these medicines can not access, or by the presence of some hidden disease (microabscesses or focal pyelonephritis).

On the other hand, we must take into account the main risk factors: recurrent sexual relations, the existence of a new sexual partner in the previous year, the use of spermicides, the administration of previous antibiotic therapy, the presence of kidney stones or other objects strangers, having the bad habit of holding or holding urine for many hours or not emptying the bladder completely.

What are your symptoms?

In reality, a recurrent urinary infection does not differ in symptoms from the first episodes. Therefore, the signs or symptoms that appear are practically the same:

Pain and burning sensation every time you urinate.
Have some urgency when urinating, with an increase in frequency.
Strong smell of urine.
Color of dark urine.
Fever, usually above 38ºC.
Presence of blood in the urine.

In case of any of these symptoms it is advisable to go quickly to the urologist, who will analyze us, take into account all the signs and make the pertinent diagnostic tests to discover the possible presence of a urine infection.

How to prevent recurrent urinary infections?

Eat blueberries daily

Did you know that red cranberries Are they tremendously effective in preventing the onset of repeated urine infections? This was demonstrated recently by a study carried out in the hospitals Quirón and General Universitario (in Valencia, Spain), which were published in the specialized edition BMC Urology.

According to the results, regular consumption of cranberries helps reduce the number of patients who have symptomatic urinary tract infections after 3 to 6 months of daily consumption.

This quality is due to the presence of a group of polyphenolic compounds known as proanthocyanidins (PAC), which help to reduce the adhesive capacity of E. coli bacteria in the walls of the urinary tract. Therefore, they are ideal in patients who have resistance to antibiotics.

Opt for useful infusions to clean the urinary tract

There are certain infusions made with medicinal diuretic, depurative and detoxifying plants, that help to clean the urinary tract in a completely natural way and precisely prevent a possible relapse in the infection. Highlights the following:

Infusion of horsetail: increases the clearance of the urinary tract and our body. To make the infusion you need 1 teaspoon of horsetail and 1 cup of water. Put the water in a saucepan and bring to a boil, then add the horsetail, cover and boil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stretch and drink, being able to take 3 cups a day.
Dandelion infusion: It is a natural drink that stands out for its diuretic and depurative action. To prepare it you only need 1 teaspoon of dandelion and 1 cup of water. And to make it you must follow the same steps indicated in the previous recipe, being able to take up to 3 cups a day, especially after meals.

Watch your diet

Although you do not believe it, the food you follow is essential when it comes to preventing recurrent urinary infections. In this sense it is very useful to follow a food as appropriate as possible for your kidneys , standing out above all purifying fruits and vegetables: like celery, melon, asparagus (white and green), watermelons and aubergines.

It is advisable to drink at least 2 liters of water per day, that you can combine perfectly with depurative infusions and with natural fruit juices. It is advisable to replace cow's milk with vegetable drinks, especially useful when you have problems in the kidneys precisely because of their nutritional qualities. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor. ThemesInfections