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does your child need a doctor right now?


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does your child need a doctor right now?

Having three kids under the age of six is quite exciting. We never have a dull moment in our house and often have injuries and illnesses that need to be tended to by a doctor. I have learned a lot over the past six years about when a child needs to be seen by a doctor immediately and when certain things can wait until their regular pediatrician is available. I created this blog to help other parents learn about the injuries and illnesses that their children may experience when a doctor isn't available to take a child to whenever these things happen.

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What Can You Do To Help Antibiotics Along When Fighting A UTI?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are annoying and painful, and a typical treatment is to take antibiotics. The best way to ensure the antibiotics work is to take the whole course and keep your doctor up to date on how they seem to be working. But there are a few things you can do in addition to taking antibiotics that can help the medicine work even better.

Drink a Lot of Plain Water

Drinking plain water is a very good way to help the antibiotic vanquish the infection as the increased urine output helps wash more of the bacteria out of your system. In fact, for very mild infections, drinking a lot of extra water could be enough to wash the whole infection away. But again, that's for very mild, uncomplicated infections, and you'd want your doctor to monitor you if you attempted that. If you take antibiotics instead of trying to get rid of the infection on your own, you should still drink more plain water as a way to assist the antibiotic.

Cut Back on Sugary Foods

When you're sick, it's best to eat the healthiest diet you can muster, but it's common for people to indulge a little as a form of comfort. If you decide you want to indulge in some fun food, try to avoid making it a sugary food. And if you normally eat a lot of sugary foods, cut back as you fight the infection. Sugary foods may have a weakening effect on your immune system, making it harder to fight the infection. While the antibiotic may still work, your own immune system isn't going to offer as much help as it normally would if you have a lot of sugary foods.

Get Your Sleep

Sleep has become a real hero in terms of health. When you get enough sleep, your body functions better, and your immune system is more efficient. Your body's ability to fight off infection is strengthened. If you have a UTI and need to take antibiotics for it, do your best to get adequate sleep as you go through the course of medication. For some people, this may still be difficult because of housing situations, newborn care, and so on. If you're in this group, just do your best to get the sleep you can.

If you think the antibiotics aren't working, or if you develop repeated UTIs, you may need help from specialists in a urology center. Sometimes the symptoms of a UTI are mimicked by other conditions such as interstitial cystitis or even a kidney infection. 

For more information, contact a local urology center