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.
Fatty Liver Disease Symptoms to Know About
The liver is the largest organ in the body, helping in food digestion, energy storage, and detoxification. The liver typically contains some fat; however, excessive build-up of this fat causes fatty liver disease. In this article we discuss fatty liver disease symptoms and how you can manage it.
But first, there are two main types of fatty liver disease:
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
As the name implies, this type of fatty liver disease is not associated with heavy alcohol use. There are two kinds:
- Simple fatty liver: This is a less serious case that involves little or no inflammation or liver cell damage together with the fat build-up.
- Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): In this case, fat builds up in the liver, together with inflammation or liver cell damage. Inflammation and liver cell damage can cause fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver. This may also lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Also called alcoholic steatohepatitis, this is usually a result of heavy alcohol use. The liver is responsible for breaking down most of the alcohol you drink so that your body can remove it. However, while breaking down alcohol, certain harmful substances that can damage liver cells, promote inflammation, and weaken your body's natural defenses are generated. The more alcohol you drink, the more you damage your liver.
What Causes Fatty Liver Disease?
As earlier stated, fatty liver develops when your body produces too much fat or does not metabolize fat efficiently enough. The excess fat is stored in liver cells, where it accumulates and causes the disease. This build-up of fat is mostly caused by excessive alcohol consumption. This is the first stage of alcohol-related liver disease. In the case of people who do not drink a lot of alcohol, the cause of fatty liver disease is usually not certain.
Common Symptoms of Fatty Liver Disease
Both types of fatty liver disease are usually silent diseases with few or no symptoms. However, some symptoms such as tiredness or discomfort in the upper right side of your abdomen may occur. Some people with fatty liver disease also develop complications such as liver scarring. Liver scarring is known as liver fibrosis. In severe cases, it is known as cirrhosis.
How is Fatty Liver Disease Diagnosed?
Because there are often no symptoms, it can be challenging to diagnose fatty liver disease. However, your doctor may suspect that you have it if you get abnormal results on liver tests that you had for other reasons. For diagnosis, your doctor may rely on your medical history, physical examination, and various tests — including blood and imaging tests and sometimes a biopsy.
Medical History
Your doctor will ask about your alcohol use to determine whether fat in your liver is a sign of alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD). Your doctor may also want to find out about any drugs you have recently used to check if they contribute to the condition.
Physical Examination
During the physical examination, your doctor will examine your body and check your weight and height. Your doctor will look for any signs that may indicate fatty liver disease, such as an enlarged liver or signs of cirrhosis, e.g., jaundice.
Blood Tests
Your doctor might also recommend that you have blood tests, including liver function and blood count tests. In some cases, you may also have imaging tests that help check for fat and the stiffness of your liver (which could mean fibrosis).
Biopsy
In some cases, you may also need a liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and to check how badly your liver is damaged.
What Are the Treatment Options for Fatty Liver Disease?
There are no approved medicines to treat NAFLD, but studies are still being carried out to find a cure. The most important part of treating alcohol-related fatty liver disease is to stop drinking alcohol. If you need help dealing with alcohol addiction, you might need to see a therapist or enroll in an alcohol recovery program.
There are, however, medicines that can help, either by reducing your cravings or making you feel sick if you drink alcohol. With non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, doctors usually recommend weight loss to reduce fat in the liver, inflammation, and fibrosis. If your doctor suspects that a certain medicine is responsible for the condition, you will be advised to discontinue usage of the medication and to switch to another one.
When fatty liver disease worsens and leads to cirrhosis, the condition may be treated using medicines, operations, and other medical procedures. If the cirrhosis leads to liver failure, a liver transplant will be considered.
Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage Fatty Liver Disease
Making lifestyle changes is essential in treating fatty liver disease because they are the first-line treatment for fatty liver disease. Depending on your current condition and lifestyle habits, the following will go a long way to help:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing your alcohol intake
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet that is low in excess calories, saturated fat, and trans fats
- Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week