Thursday, March 6, 2014

Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Sometimes it is easy to miss early warning signs, or not recognize them as something potentially serious until major complications develop.  One of these is Urinary Tract Infection  (UTI), the most common cause of bacterial infection in the US, and which, according to the National Kidney Foundation, accounts for nearly than 10 million health care visits each year.  Women are very susceptible to UTI due to a shorter urethra.  20 % of women will have one or more UTIs during their lifetime. For those who have had two, 30% will have another and those who have had three, 80 to 90% will have further recurrences.

UTI in men under 50 is rare except when there are kidney stones.  However, for older men, the risks of UTI are similar to those for women as enlargement of the prostate gland can prevent the bladder from draining completely.  An enlarged prostate gland occurs in half of all men older than 50, and between ages 60 - 70 the number jumps up to 69%, and by age 80, more than 90% of men will have some difficulty.

Both men and women may be more prone to UTI when a catheter has been used to drain the bladder, and those who have diabetes or blood sugar issues also have a higher risk.  Foods high in sugar content and/or chemical additives also promote the risk of UTI.

About 90% of all UTI are caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli).  E. coli normally live harmlessly in the intestinal tract and in fact perform needed functions such as producing Vitamin K2.  Vitamin K2 is very important because it helps direct the calcium in your body to build strong bones and teeth and prevents it from clogging up your arteries, forming kidney stones, or depositing in your joints.  However, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention there are several pathogenic strains of E. coli which can be very harmful.  These types are generally known as intestinal pathogenic E. coli and can cause a variety of intestinal disturbances such as traveler's diarrhea or food poisoning.  Extraintestinal pathogenic E. Coli (ExPEC) normally comprise about 20% of the intestinal flora of healthy individuals and do not cause intestinal disturbances.  However, they are the most common cause of UTI, and may also cause septicemia, respiratory infections, and other types of infections.   Those which cause UTI are able to colonize in the bladder and are known as uropathic E. coli  (UPEC).

A UTI causes inflammation of the urinary tract which may result in pain, redness, and swelling, a discomfort or burning sensation when urinating, feeling a need to urinate but only producing a small amount, pain or pressure in the abdomen, and blood in the urine or urine that is cloudy and/or smells bad.  However, a UTI may also be present for some time without any noticeable symptoms.  If left untreated, the infection can migrate to the kidneys and even into the blood, either of which is very serious.  Nausea, headaches, lack of appetite, and general tiredness or weakness may often be mistaken for flu symptoms but anytime these symptoms do not improve within three days you should consult your doctor right away, especially if you suspect or know you have had a UTI or have had one before.

Pathogenic E. coli which cause food borne illness are caused by strains which produce Shiga toxins and are known as STEC (Shiga Toxin E. coli).  Usually sudden and severe abdominal cramping occurs followed by watery diarrhea.  A day later there may be blood in the stool from sores in the intestine. Nausea with or without vomiting may occur, and usually fatigue and sometimes fever.  Infection may come through ingesting contaminated food or water, physical contact with an infected person, or sometimes contact with animals if care is not taken.

While most UTIs are successfully treated with antibiotics, a lot of hassle can be avoided by preventing them in the first place, and it is important to be aware of the serious complications which can result when a UTI is allowed to continue untreated.  It is easy sometimes to attribute seemingly common symptoms to something else- if you think you may have been exposed to a flu bug,  or are recovering from heart attack, stroke, major surgery or other illness, these all could be reasons for feeling nauseous, weak, and tired.   If you have recently been hospitalized or treated for heart attack, stroke, major surgery or other illness, any of these could also make you more susceptible to UTI.

It is a good good idea to consult your healthcare professional if

1)nausea is accompanied by extreme weakness, chills, shivering, diarrhea, and/or fever, and /or dizziness and poor balance.

2)any signs of UTI such as frequent urge to urinate but producing only small amounts, burning sensation when urinating, or pain in the lower back. This may be a persistent heavy dull pain in the flank or mid to lower back, and/or sudden very painful bursts.

If  you are elderly and/or have other serious health issues, you may need help sooner. A healthy diet with alkaline foods may help to steer clear of UTI and/or to provide support to your body during recovery.

1)Cranberry juice has long been a respected remedy for UTI.  A study by the American Chemical Society of Boston suggests that beneficial substances in cranberry can reach the urinary tract and prevent adhesion within 8 hours.  For years, patients taking the blood-thinner Coumadin were cautioned against drinking Cranberry juice, however the updated FDA Medication Guide now recommends cranberry products as safe to take with Coumadin.

2) Try to limit or eliminate sugars and alcohol, and genetically modified foods as these cause bacteria to multiply.

3) To check guides for other medications you may be taking, possible side effects or diet precautions and food interactions, you can download a great many of the medical guides for particular drugs on the FDA Drug Safety Page.   This is by no means comprehensive however.  If you don't find your particular medication listed here, go to the MedWatch Safety Page and type in the name of your medication to search for safety warnings

5)Oregano essential oil (Origanum compactum) and Thyme essential oil (Thymus vulgaris, CT thymol) are two essential oils which may be helpful in supporting a healthy immune system.


These are just a few examples.  To  learn more about different therapeutic grade essential oils and how they may help support a healthy lifestyle, please visit Oil Well Essentials

For more information on the leading essential oil companies, their history, testing, and quality standards, check out the 45 page Young Living/DoTerra report



These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and this information is for educational purposes only and not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, mitigate, or cure any disease.




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