Fear of using unhygienic loo or not finding one at all is the leading cause behind women not drinking enough water and hence, being prone to urinary tract infection (UTI). According to gynaecologists and urologists, the disease is so common that most women have undergone treatment for it at some point in their lives.
Doctors say that in the past few years, the percentage of working women being diagnosed with UTI has gone up. "There has been a rise in UTI cases among working women in past one decade, a direct fallout of the rise in number of women working on field. Working women are known to avoid drinking water or holding in their urine over a long period of time, which in turn leads to UTI," said Dr Ashwini Bhalerao Gandhi, gynaecologist at PD Hinduja Hospital.
The most common cause for infections is unhygienic bathrooms where these bacteria are found. Take for instance, E. coli attaches itself to the cell lining of the urinary tract and forms a protected film and is, therefore, resistant to medication. Eighty per cent of women who have had UTI report re-occurrence.
It's not just drinking less water and waiting for a long time to relieve yourself that's responsible for urinary tract infections. Doing it western style instead of Indian, i.e sitting instead of squatting in the toilet, is also one of the main reasons for increase in number of UTI cases.
Dr Nandita Palshetkar, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Lilavati hospital said, "In a city like Mumbai, we are seeing a rising number of westernised toilets in public places, especially in restaurants and malls. A soiled toilet seat/ unhygienic condition of these westernised toilets play an important role in spreading UTI as the bacteria comes in direct contact with the body." Lack of maintenance and toilet etiquettes sometimes force women to squat even in westernised toilets.
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and are 10 times more common among women than men. More than 50 per cent of women will have at least one attack of UTI during their lifetime, according to doctors.
Symptoms of UTI
Symptoms vary with age and the part infected -- urinating frequently, burning sensation after passing urine, fever with chills, smelly or discoloured urine. In older people, there can be all of the above symptoms, besides lethargy and confusion.
Symptoms among infants include being cranky, high fever, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, and crying while passing urine are common.
The diagnosis can be made symptomatically or after a routine urine analysis or culture.
Tips to avoid UTI's repeated attacks:
1. Follow good personal hygiene and keep yourself hydrated. Drink at least three litres of water daily.
2. Avoid excess beverages, juices and sweetened drinks.
3. Avoid extra sugar in food, cookies, cakes and baked items with trans-fatty acids.
4. Go for whole grains and fibre rich diet.
5. Include antioxidants like cranberries, blueberries, cherries and tomatoes. They help in preventing the binding of the bacteria to the bladder wall.
6. Breast feeding is best for infants.
7. Exercise 30 minutes a day.
8. Homeopathy can increase the resistance of the body against E. coli. Consult a homeopath for the same.
9. Don't hold on urine. Also, visit the washroom before and after sex.
10. Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and product containing perfumes or other possible allergens near the genital area.
11. After urinating or having a bowel movement, wipe from the front to the back.
12. Avoid wearing tight-fitting pants, which can trap in moisture.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}