Are you feeling cramps in your tummy but not sure what they are? It feels like PMS cramps, but it’s certainly not that time of the month for you. So, what else could it be?
Did you know that women often mistake urinary tract infection cramps for their period cramps?
WHAT IS A URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)?
A UTI or a Urinary Tract Infection is caused when bacteria from your genital or anal area enter your urinary tract.
Your urinary tract is made up of your bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys, and urethral sphincter muscles. A UTI can affect any of these parts of your urinary tract. A UTI which spreads to your kidney is considered to be the most dangerous.
UTIs are also more common in women than men. This is because of the female anatomy; the bladder is very close to the urethra.
Older people are also at a higher risk of UTIs because of various issues like constipation, urinary incontinence, and urine retention in the bladder.
Older adults often manage incontinence issues by wearing diapers. Your diapers might be causing you to have UTIs. To prevent UTIs and cramps caused by diapers, do the following:
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Air out your diaper area
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Change diapers at regular intervals of time or whenever they are soiled
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Choose diapers that are absorbent enough and contain an anti-bacterial layer.
You need Friends Adult Diapers because they:
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Absorb all your urine flow
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Lock the liquid in gel form to prevent any moisture
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Have an antibacterial top layer
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Contain the goodness of Aloe Vera extracts to calm your skin and prevent inflammation
UTI CRAMPS – WHAT ARE THEY?
Can UTI cause cramps? Yes, they can!
In fact, cramps during UTIs are extremely common. You might feel cramps in your lower back or pelvic region. UTI cramps feel like somebody is putting pressure on that area, or a feeling of soreness is experienced. The pain you experience is because the bacteria has invaded your urinary tract, and it is wreaking havoc in the form of inflammation and irritation.
UTI cramps can be accompanied by other symptoms like:
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Burning sensation when you pee
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Blood in your urine
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Urine that smells really bad
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Feeling the urge to urinate very frequently
HOW TO LOWER YOUR RISK OF CONTRACTING URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS?
You might be able to save yourself from a UTI by taking some preventive measures as follows:
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Get enough fluids into your system to prevent UTIs.
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Don’t hold your urine; it can promote the growth of bacteria.
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Avoid feminine hygiene products, especially if they are scented. Ladies, your feminine parts are naturally equipped to take care of themselves and clean out any impurities. Using these products can disrupt the natural balance, also increasing the risk of UTIs.
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Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes to keep the area well aired and prevent bacterial growth.
- Clean up your genitals after having sexual intercourse, or better yet, just take a shower.
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After pooping, wipe your butt cheeks from front to back, especially the females. Your urethra is really close to the anal opening; the bacteria can get to it quickly and spread infections.
SOLUTION FOR UTI CRAMPS: HOW TO GET RID OF UTI CRAMPS?
How to get rid of UTI cramps? It’s not that difficult, really, if you were cognizant of your UTI symptoms as soon as they started.
A few things that might help are:
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Drink loads of water – Drinking water can help flush out the bacteria from your body. It also helps in diluting the urine. You are most likely to be rushing to the bathroom every two minutes if you have contracted a UTI, so this will also keep you hydrated.
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Heating pads – Use a heating pad to ease UTI cramps in your lower back and abdominal region.
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Over-the-counter medications – A UTI can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Try over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen to ease the pain.
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Antibiotics – You can consult a doctor who might ask you to take some antibiotics. But be sure to not leave the medicine course halfway as it might lead to you getting the UTI again.
Pain in your nether regions might not necessarily be a symptom of a UTI. Some other conditions that can cause you to experience painful cramps are sexually-transmitted diseases, kidney stones, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, etc. Therefore, it becomes extremely important to let your doctor be the judge and prescribe tests and medications for your specific concerns.
