A Soak Could Help You Find Some Relief Urinary tract infections are one of the most common outpatient consultations in the United States. They are one of the most common causes of fever in the young and elderly and can cause urinary incontinence in women. Yearly, around 250,000 cases of kidney infections or pyelonephritis occur among women in the United States. Costs for the diagnosis and management of urinary tract infections in the United States can reach up to a total of $2-3 billion dollars a year. It might seem like a simple infection, but it can be really costly when you think of it from that scale. It is an essential infection to treat because it can lead to serious complications such as sepsis and renal damage if left untreated. That is why a lot of other remedies are being tested to see if they can alleviate symptoms of urinary tract infections. This article will discuss how Epsom salt baths are good for UTIs, what benefits Epsom salt baths have, and how to prepare an Epsom salt bath. What are Urinary Tract Infections? What are the Symptoms? Urinary tract infections are infections of the parts that serve as the passageway of the urine out of our bodies; this includes the kidney, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Urine is a sterile substance that passes out of our bodies; therefore, the introduction of bacteria can lead to a bladder infection, inflammation, and pus formation that can lead to various symptoms. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection include pain and burning sensation while urinating, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, blood in the urine, and abdominal pain. What are Epsom Salts? What Do They Do? Epsom salt or magnesium sulfate is a white, crystalline water-soluble chemical compound that has been used for centuries to treat various illnesses. Epsom salts are commonly used to relieve sore muscles, stiff joints, itching, skin irritation, and sunburn and are used as relief for headaches or foot pain. Its uses in the human body are varied, and it has been found to provide relief for various ailments, which include urinary tract infections. How is an Epsom Salt Bath Good for UTIs? What Benefits do Epsom Salt Baths Have? Epsom salts provide several benefits for treating urinary tract infections. The primary benefit of using Epsom salt baths for bladder infections or urinary tract infections is to relieve pain. Epsom salt baths can help relieve pain and discomfort associated with UTIs. UTIs present with a burning sensation, pain while urinating, and cloudy urine. The warm, calming nature of Epsom salt baths has been shown to help relieve this. [youmaylike] If you soak in an Epsom salt bath, it can be helpful to reduce inflammation as well. Because they are rich in magnesium, they can help cleanse the urinary tract and aid in the healing process. The increased concentration of magnesium sulfate is believed to help change the environment in the urinary tract, which can lead to conditions unfavorable for bacteria to grow. It can help prevent bacteria from growing or multiplying when you soak in an Epsom salt bath and has a disinfectant property. Epsom salt baths can also improve the circulation of blood in the body. It can cause dilation of the blood vessels leading to improved blood flow, which also promotes the passage of cells that help in the body’s immunity. Epsom salt baths provide an overall relaxing and calming experience that can leave you feeling detoxified as well. Are Epsom Salt Baths the Answer to UTIs? Although Epsom salt baths may relieve urinary tract infection symptoms, there is not enough evidence to recommend using Epsom salts over established treatments like antibiotics. Epsom salt baths are currently home remedies that can be adjuncts to treatment but cannot be used to replace the treatment of urinary tract infections with antibiotic medications. In order to treat the infection, you should still take an antibiotic regimen prescribed by your physician. Are Epsom Salt Baths Risk-Free? Do Epsom Salt Baths Have Any Side Effects? Generally, Epsom salt baths are safe and don’t have a lot of serious complications. However, you still need to make sure that Epsom salt baths are safe for you. The most common side effects of Epsom salt baths include allergic reactions. So if you have an allergy to Epsom salt, it is better that you avoid this. It can also aggravate pain or discomfort if you have an open wound or breaks or scratches in the skin. If you have these, stay away from Epsom salt baths to avoid further complications. How Do You Prepare an Epsom Salt Bath? The general way to prepare an Epsom salt bath is to dissolve Epsom salt in warm water. Epsom salt is easy to find and can easily be bought in health and grocery stores. Recommendations include dissolving 1 to 2 cups of Epsom salt in a gallon of warm water to create a water-soak bath. It is important not to put too much to avoid irritation and drying of the skin. Let the Epsom salt dissolve in the water, which can take about a few minutes. If you have a bathtub, you can prepare it to submerge and soak in it. However, this can be done as you shower as well. When you have a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection, you can do a water soak for 15-20 minutes to help relieve symptoms. Rinse after every water soak. This can be done daily or on an average of 2-3 times per week. Doing this soak gives ample time in providing relief until the antibiotics start doing their work and control further growth and multiplication of bacteria, completely eliminating symptoms such as pain. If you think you have a urinary tract infection, consult your physician for an evaluation. Further, you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing any serious side effects from using Epsom salt baths. There are no studies that show that using an Epsom salt bath for UTIs will prevent or cure a urinary tract infection, so it is still important to go to the doctor for proper management. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
Caffeine Allergy Symptoms
Chugging a Red Bull during a basketball game, drinking coffee in the morning, having a cup of tea at the end of the night—that is what dreams are made of when you have a caffeine allergy. You may experience caffeine allergy symptoms and not even know it.
Although it plays a small part in your daily diet, caffeine has a significant role in improving your health. A report published by Harvard Medical School explains that coffee consumption leads to a decreased risk of type II diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cirrhosis, colon, liver, and uterine cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease.
While your caffeine-loving mind may love these dramatics, the truth is that caffeine is not a part of the essential food groups. So, even if you give up on caffeine, you won't experience any earth-shattering changes.
Caffeine Allergy Symptoms
Remember that caffeine sensitivity and caffeine allergies are not the same.
Caffeine sensitivity occurs when your body is slow to metabolize caffeine, so you experience caffeine's effects differently. In comparison, caffeine allergies cause a range of varied reactions. For example, some of the physical symptoms caused by caffeine allergies include:
- Hives
- Lip, mouth, and tongue itchiness
- Swollen tongue or lips
- Headaches
- Heart palpitations
- Nervous jitters
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Stomach pain and diarrhea
- Muscle tremors
These symptoms typically develop within hours of exposure and are usually treated with antihistamines. But for those who experience severe allergic reactions such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing, that calls for further medication.
Your doctor will tell you not to ingest any food or drink with caffeine in it. But, they will also recommend staying away from self-care products that may contain caffeine. This includes bath bombs, lotions, and skincare products.
Do I Need to See a Doctor for a Caffeine Allergy?
The worst thing you can do if you suspect a caffeine allergy is to self-diagnose your condition.
If you've consumed caffeine before and are suddenly experiencing symptoms, that is concerning, and will require a medical check-up. Once your doctor conducts a skin patch test and diagnoses a caffeine allergy, you should only think about cutting caffeine from your diet.
Your doctor will provide you with a list of products that contain caffeine—such as tea, coffee, chocolate, energy drinks, soda, diet soda, vitamin supplements, and some medications—so that you can avoid them in the future. They will also be able to explain why you are experiencing these allergic reactions.
What Can Cause a Caffeine Allergy?
Specific diets, medication, vitals, biochemistry, and age, in addition to a variety of factors, can impact your response to caffeine.
If you're an active caffeine drinker, there's the chance that you may have exhausted your adrenal glands, which may be causing other symptoms. If you develop a caffeine allergy over time, it's also possible you may have had caffeine intolerance all along, and it may not have reached its peak yet.
With caffeine allergies, it's unfortunately difficult to diagnose them definitively because they are rare. If your doctor asks you to skip all caffeinated food and drinks from your diet, and you see a positive response, it may confirm the diagnosis that you, indeed, have a caffeine allergy.
Managing Effects of Caffeine Withdrawal
If you've consumed caffeinated products regularly your whole life it won't be easy to manage your withdrawal from them, but it won't be impossible.
In the beginning, you will experience symptoms such as:
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Shakiness
- Irritability
Remember that caffeine is a drug, so you will need to be patient when moving on from its use. Within two weeks, you will find yourself feeling much better. However, if you can't find a source of energy or a way to help you stay alert, here are some things you can do:
- Take breaks from staring at the screen. Instead of causing eyestrain by staring at the computer or your phone, moving away from the screen or closing your eyes and resting them will help you feel refreshed. If you can, get up from your desk and walk around for at least 5–10 minutes. You'll feel refreshed too.
- Drink water. A tall glass of water will make all the difference if you're feeling sleepy. Hydrating your organs will not only replenish the liquids you've lost during the day, but it'll also help you feel alert.
- Get enough sleep. 6–7 hours is enough to freshen up your mind. Whenever possible, take catnaps or close your eyes. Do what you can to give your overworked mind some rest.
- Eat a healthy diet. This doesn't mean that you give up your pizza but be sure to have balanced meals that fill your stomach.
Closing Thoughts
Your caffeine allergy will have no power over you if you follow the right tips. Stay true to your doctor's orders, and give your body some rest, so it can energize you when caffeine can't.
Trust these words: you will feel happier, healthier, and lighter, even without a cup of coffee in your hands!