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 Causes Tardive Dyskinesia?
Mental health is something that is very much highlighted nowadays and rightfully so. Thankfully, we now have a variety medication and treatment options to help treat diseases, but sometimes they can have certain side effects. One example of this is a condition called tardive dyskinesia. So, what cause tardive dyskinesia? It may sound very foreign, but it is one of the usual side effects of certain medications for mental or mood disorders. In this article, you will find out what tardive dyskinesia is, what its symptoms are, what causes it and how it is treated.
What is Tardive Dyskinesia?
Tardive dyskinesia is a syndrome that affects the brain and nerves. It is characterized by involuntary movements of the arms, legs, or limbs, as well as involuntary gestures, such as sticking out of the tongue and sudden and repetitive blinking of eyes. Tardive dyskinesia is a side effect of taking antipsychotic medications which are used to treat people with conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and other mental health or mood-related disorders. Cases have been increasing over the past years and around 500,000 people are affected in the U.S. Not everyone who takes antipsychotic medications will experience it, but it can occur in some people.
What Are the Symptoms of Tardive Dyskinesia?
Dyskinesia is a medical term for involuntary movements of the body. People with tardive dyskinesia may experience a sudden stiffness of muscles in portions of their body, causing jerky movements that they cannot control. This can occur in the muscles of the face and mouth. This includes fast blinking of the eyes, uncontrolled sticking out of the tongue, uncontrolled movements of the mouth, such as chewing, puckering the lips, puffing out cheeks and frowning.
Dyskinesia of the limbs can also affect extremities, causing uncontrollable wiggling of the fingers, tapping of the feet on the floor, flapping of arms, thrusting out of the pelvis and swaying from side to side. These movements can be fast or slow, but they can affect daily activities and some affected people will find it hard to work. This condition is hard to diagnose because symptoms may take months or years to appear and can occur even with the discontinuation of medication.
Tardive Dyskinesia Causes
Antipsychotic medications treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, depression and other brain conditions. These are also called neuroleptic drugs. These medications block the neurotransmitter dopamine, a chemical messenger of the body. Having a small amount of dopamine in the body causes jerky and uncontrolled movements seen in this condition.
The antipsychotic drugs or medications that can cause tardive dyskinesia are the following:
1. Haloperidol
This medication is used to treat various and certain mental or mood disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders. This medication helps you to think clearly, feel less panic and prevents suicidal thoughts in people who are likely to harm themselves. It can also be used to treat Tourette’s syndrome, which also involves uncontrolled movements or twitching.
The side effects of Haloperidol include:
- Dizziness.
- Drowsiness.
- Lightheadedness.
- Difficulty urinating.
- Sleep disturbances.
- Headaches.
- Anxiety.
2. Fluphenazine
This is an antipsychotic drug that is used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions and hostility.
Using this medication can cause side effects such as:
- Upset stomach.
- Weakness or tiredness.
- Excitement.
- Anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Nightmares.
- Dry mouth.
- Changes in appetite.
- Skin sensitivity.
- Rashes.
If the following symptoms occur, like constipation, difficulty in urinating, excessive sweating, jaw, neck and back muscle spasms, irregular heartbeat and fever, consult a doctor.
3. Risperidone
Also known as Risperdal, this is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia as well as episodes of mania, aggression, self-injury and sudden mood changes. This is usually given to teenagers and children aged 5 to 16 years of age who have autism.
Risperidone has side effects such as:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Constipation.
- Heartburn.
- Dry mouth.
- Stomach pain.
- Dreaming more than usual.
- Agitation
- Anxiety.
4. Olanzapine
Also known as Zyprexa, this is used to treat schizophrenia in adults and teenagers. It is also used to treat bipolar disorder.
Its side effects include:
- Dizziness.
- Depression.
- Weakness.
- Difficulty sleeping.
- Weight gain.
- Constipation.
- Pain in joints.
- Late or missed menstrual periods.
- Decreased libido.
Serious side effects include seizures, changes in vision, swelling of muscles, excess sweating and difficulty in swallowing. If these symptoms occur, consult a doctor.
Treatment Options
Proper diagnosis is helpful in order to treat tardive dyskinesia early. The best way to avoid it is not taking any medication that can cause the condition. If the medication cannot be avoided or no alternative medications are available, the medicine can be given by starting with the smallest possible dose.
Natural remedies and adjuncts can also help, but there is no scientific basis that they are beneficial and needed in the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. Natural remedies include ginkgo biloba, melatonin, vitamin B6 and vitamin E.
If prescribing antipsychotic drugs cannot be avoided and symptoms occur, the two FDA-approved medications to treat tardive dyskinesia include Deutetrabenazine and Valbenazine. Both of these medications work in similar ways to regulate the amount of dopamine flow in the brain area in order to control certain movements in the body. Just like management of mood and mental disorders, managing tardive dyskinesia is also done on a case-to-case basis. At the end of the day, your doctor will prescribe what is best for your situation.