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 Signs of stomach Cancer?
Stomach cancer poses a scary situation. After all, your stomach is responsible for breaking down the food you eat, allowing your body to gain essential energy and nutrients to function normally.
About 26,000 people are diagnosed with stomach cancer — also known as gastric cancer — in the U.S. each year. Accounting for 1.5% of all cancer diagnosis, this type of cancer frequently impacts older individuals, with the average age of a stomach cancer diagnosis being 68. So, you may wonder, “What are the signs of stomach cancer?”
In this article, we are going to examine what stomach cancer is, the top signs of stomach cancer, treatment, prevention and more.
Top 5 Signs of Stomach Cancer
So, let’s answer, “What are the signs of stomach cancer?” It can be hard for individuals to determine that certain signs are indicative of stomach cancer. This is because many of the symptoms are associated with other gastrointestinal conditions, including gastritis and the flu.
Unfortunately, this often means that stomach cancer is not found until it is too late. However, if at any point you or someone you love has ongoing stomach issues, especially if they are elderly, it is important to consider screening for this type of cancer to improve the odds of making a full recovery.
Here are some of the common signs of stomach cancer:
1. Weight Loss (Without Explanation)
While someone with stomach cancer may experience a loss of appetite, weight loss without trying is a sure-fire sign that something is not right. This clearly indicates that something is wrong with the digestion and absorption process, potentially signaling that cancerous tissue is involved.
At the same time, it is important to note that unexplained weight loss can also happen due to a range of other conditions, including psychological stress.
2. Lump and Pain in the Stomach
As the cancer grows, you may notice a firm lump on your stomach, as well as pain associated with this lump. At the end of the day, any abdominal pain should be taken seriously, especially if it doesn’t dissipate with time or rest.
This pain may also start as vague discomfort just above the navel, which gets worse as time goes on.
3. Nausea or Vomiting
Again, many of the symptoms on this list are also the same as those associated with the stomach flu. However, indigestion, including nausea, vomiting and gas, is another sign of stomach cancer, especially if it is associated with other symptoms on this list.
Vomiting may also occur with or without blood, depending on the severity of stomach cancer a person is experiencing.
4. Heartburn or Acid Reflux
Heartburn after eating can also indicate stomach cancer, yet it is also important to note that heartburn may also be issues with your heart mistaken for indigestion. Thus, this sign alone does not necessarily mean you have stomach cancer. A proper diagnosis made by your doctor or a specialist can determine what is really going on.
5. Feeling Full Quickly After Eating
If this commonly occurs, even after a small meal, this could mean you have stomach cancer. This is because the cancerous tissue is not only interfering with the stomach’s function, but also taking up room within this organ, which may send conflicting signals to your brain and vice versa.
Stomach Cancer Treatment
Treatment for stomach cancer depends on the stage of stomach cancer, where the tumor is located, whether or not the cancer has spread and your general overall health.
Typically, a combination of chemotherapy and surgery are used to get this type of cancer under control. In other cases, radiotherapy and other medications may also be used to control or manage symptoms.
Can You Prevent It?
While you cannot prevent cancer, you can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Consuming a nutrient-rich diet containing mostly whole foods.
- Regular exercise.
- Limiting alcohol consumption.
- Avoiding drug use.
- Eating a diet with plenty of fruits and veggies.
- Not smoking/quitting smoking.
- Treating any stomach or gastrointestinal infections.
The American Cancer Society also indicates that using aspirin may lower the risk of stomach cancer. However, it is important to note that these types of medications can also cause internal gastrointestinal bleeding with long-term use.
In particular, when it comes to treating stomach or gastrointestinal infections, the quick treatment of H. pylori may reduce the risk of developing stomach cancer later on by reducing any pre-cancerous lesions in the stomach.
If you have been diagnosed with an incurable form of stomach cancer, the goal of treatment will be to make you comfortable and reduce symptoms as much as possible. It’s also essential to seek out support from your loved ones and professionals. A cancer diagnosis can be incredibly difficult, especially without a good support network. In some towns and cities, you may also find joining a support group and connecting with others going through similar situations can help you cope.