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.
What Are the Different Symptoms of Addiction?
In the United States, substance abuse affects around 20 million people. Most of these are due to alcohol, marijuana, and prescription pain relievers. Continual substance abuse can lead to negative effects and addiction.
This article will explain what addiction is, as well as the causes and symptoms of addiction, and explore different treatment options. We will also look at options for patients, as well as friends, family, and caregivers.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is a mental health disorder that has detrimental effects in many areas of a person’s life. It is characterized by a persistent, uncontrollable chemical dependency wherein the person craves and seeks the substance they are addicted to.
They repeatedly use these substances or engage in behaviors that can disrupt their daily life. Despite harmful consequences, this compulsive behavior cannot be controlled. As an effect, it can ruin relationships, be it marriages, friendships or families, and can be life-threatening not only to the person affected but to the people around them.
There are around 70,000 drug overdose deaths yearly in the United States, with an increasing rate of 4% per year, which is very alarming.
Causes of Addiction
There are many causes of addiction, and many factors that contribute to it. Genetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of addiction.
Genetics can explain about 40% to 60% of the risk for addiction.
Environmental factors such as the home environment, presence of physical or verbal abuse, peers, employment, and academic achievement can also play a role in the risk for addiction. How drugs are viewed by parents, peers, and the community also has an impact on the occurrence of addiction.
Other factors that can affect the incidence of addiction are mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety.
Common Symptoms of Addiction
Addiction can have subtle symptoms. Sometimes people do not notice that it is already happening until it is too late. People with addiction continuously crave the substance to the point that it becomes unhealthy or can interfere with daily activities.
If the substance is a medical drug such as pain relievers, they will still take it even if it is not needed or symptoms are not experienced anymore. When there is no intake of the substance, addicted patients can feel sick, fatigued, or depressed.
Depending on the substance, physical changes may also be observed. They may sweat, shake, or experience headaches. Seizures or chest pain can be experienced. Sleep problems can also occur, and depending on the substance, a person suffering from addiction may sleep too much or too little. It’s also common for dietary habits to change.
They cannot function properly and are constantly preoccupied with the substance. They do not interact with people well.
Another symptom of addiction that contributes to further damage is the increasing amount of the substance needed to experience an effect. This is called tolerance. This compounds the craving for the substance as addicted patients need more and more and the desire for the substance becomes insatiable.
The Importance of Seeking Treatment
If treatment is not done, addiction can continue to get worse over time. Physically, it can put a person’s health at risk due to the effects of prolonged use and the risk for overdose. This is dangerous because extreme cases can lead to death.
Emotionally and socially, addiction can affect relationships as people tend to stray from friends and family, especially when they are told to stop substance use. It can destroy marriages and friendships, especially if the person refuses to change their ways or if there is a lack of emotional support for the recovery of the addicted person.
It can also cause financial problems due to continuous consumption, and can lead to the loss of jobs, mismanagement of finances, and debt.
Finding Treatment Options for Addiction
Although it may not always be evident, many people are seeking help and treatment for addiction, whether it’s for themselves or their loved ones. It’s important for people with addiction to understand that they are not alone in this battle.
There are several rehabilitation centers where people can turn to for help. These treatment facilities have various programs that help care for and provide support for people with addiction. These facilities can provide behavioral therapy, counseling, and medical management.
There are more than 14,000 treatment facilities in the United States. The following are some of the options listed on the American Addiction Centers website:
- AdCare Rhode Island Outpatient
- Laguna Treatment Hospital (Laguna Beach, CA)
- River Oaks Treatment Center (Tampa, Florida)
- Recovery First Treatment Center (Miami, Florida)
- Greenhouse Treatment Center (Dallas, Texas)
- Desert Hope Las Vegas Treatment Center (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- Sunrise House Treatment Center (Lafayette, New Jersey)
Addiction is not a death sentence, nor is it something to be ashamed of. It is treatable and people can recover from this condition. People must receive the support that they need as soon as they can so that they can overcome this condition.