Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infection

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) is a reasonably harmless, though painful, condition that many people are too embarrassed to get help for. In some cases ignoring the pain and discomfort can lead to serious complications so it’s important to get it checked out.

The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, the ureter (which connect the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder and the urethra. A UTI is caused when this area becomes over populated with bacteria.

Although most common in women, because they have shorter urethras then men, it is still possible (although rare) for men and children to get a UTI. Symptoms are often specific to either the upper or lower areas of the urinary tract. An upper UTI can often be an indicator of more serious complications such as kidney infection and should be seen by a doctor. Any child with a suspected UTI should be seen by a doctor promptly.

Symptoms of a lower UTI include:

pain and a burning sensation when you are passing urine
the urgency and frequency of urinating
feeling like your bladder is full and you can’t empty it
pain in the lower abdomen
funny smelling urine.

Symptoms of an upper UTI:

fever and chills
nausea and vomiting
blood in the urine
pain in the lower abdomen and back.

Pregnancy can often make you more susceptible to a UTI because of hormonal and physical changes, while diabetics are also vulnerable due to higher sugar levels in their blood. Other factors that increase the likelihood of UTIs are being sexually active, changes in the immune system and structural abnormalities in your body.

Treatment

There are a variety of ways to treat an UTI. In some cases they are resolved by themselves, your pharmacist can provide you with products to relieve the symptoms such as urinary alkanisers and determine whether you need to see your GP for antibiotics. Antibiotics treat the infection and kill the bacteria while urinary alkanisers help to ease symptoms and provide relief from burning sensations.

Prevention

Preventing UTIs is easier than you think. There are some simple steps you can take, such as:

drinking plenty of water
wiping from front to back after using the toilet to avoid transferring bacteria from the anal area
not using vaginal sprays or douches
urinating after sex to flush away any bacteria
not holding it in if you need to use the toilet.

In addition, there is some evidence that cranberry products can help prevent UTIs as they prevent bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder.

Swallowing difficulties (dysphagia)

Causes of swallowing difficulties

Swallowing difficulties can happen at any age. There are a wide range of causes for them, including:

some medicines, such as antipsychotics
heartburn and acid reflux
cancer, such as mouth or throat cancers
nervous system or brain disorders
muscle disorders
blockages or structural issues with your mouth, throat or oesophagus.

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties

Symptoms of swallowing difficulties may include:

coughing or choking when eating or drinking
bringing food back up, may be through your nose
the feeling that food is stuck in your throat
having issues chewing your food
problems with dribbling.

Swallowing difficulties can cause weight loss, dehydration and chest infections.

Diagnosing swallowing difficulties

Let your healthcare provider know if you have swallowing difficulties. They will ask you about your symptoms and check if any other health conditions you have may be the cause.

Your healthcare provider may refer you to a specialist for tests. These may include a:

gastroscopy—a camera is passed down through your mouth to look at your throat and stomach
swallowing study—your throat and stomach are x-rayed as you swallow small amounts of food.

Treating swallowing difficulties

How your swallowing difficulties are treated depends on the cause and how severe it is. Treatments may include:

medicines to treat acid reflux
swallowing therapy with a speech and language therapist
making changes to what you eat and drink, such as softer foods and using thickener in drinks
using special spoons, plates and cups
surgery to widen your oesophagus.
using special medication lubricants eg Gloup to help make it easier to swallow tablets etc. For more information click here.

Self care for swallowing difficulties

As well as seeing your healthcare provider, the following tips may help you to get food or liquids into your stomach.

Sit upright in a chair—at a table is best.
Have regular small meals instead of the main large meals.
Eat or drink small mouthfuls at a time.
If your voice is gurgly when you eat or drink, give a small cough to make sure your airway is clear.
Wet food will be easier to swallow as dry food can catch in your throat.
If your food has 2 consistencies, such as fruit in juice and cereal in milk, try to mix it into 1 consistency, or eat the solid and liquid portions separately.
Concentrate on eating and avoid talking.
Hot, ice-cold or fizzy liquids are easier to swallow than room temperature liquids.
If you are told to have thickened liquids, avoid ice-cream and jelly as they thin before swallowing.
Drink from the top half of you cup to avoid tipping your head back.

Have a look at our range of Gloup medication lubricants here which can help with difficulties swallowing tablets...

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