How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection

In How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection Fast and Naturally at Home you're going to discover 10 simple, but very effective, yeast infection home remedies that very many folks have used successfully to eliminate their horrible infections.
But, in order to fully appreciate how these simple home remedies can help to eliminate yeast infection naturally, you first need to understand a bit more about this nasty infection.
So, before getting into the details of how to get rid of a yeast infection fast and naturally at home, let's briefly go through:- the symptoms to look out for, why it's so important to get a proper diagnosis, the cause of the actual yeast infection, underlying issues that trigger infections (very important) and mainstream treatment and its shortcomings.

Story at a Glance

• Women typically get yeast infections more than men and the most common is vaginal yeast infection.
• Typical symptoms are; itching, redness, swelling, inflammation, thick whitish discharge, pain when urinating and painful / uncomfortable intercourse.
• Yeast infections are caused by the overgrowth of the candida albicans yeast fungus naturally found in our bodies. This occurs when the body's friendly v bad bacteria environment is out of balance.
• The underlying issues that can trigger this imbalance are things such as; good bacteria depletion, high blood sugar, lowered immune system, certain drugs, and hormonal imbalances.
• Mainstream drugs generally address the symptoms and not the root causes so that unless these underlying issues are addressed the infection can return.
• More women are turning to natural ways to get rid of their yeast infections. These include things like diet, lifestyle, probiotics, and other home remedies described here.

What Are Yeast Infection Symptoms?

Infections most often naturally occur in females and the most common place by far where the infection manifests itself is in and around the vaginal area.
The most common symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection are:-

• redness
• inflammation
• swelling
• itching
• thick white discharge
• pain when urinating
• pain during intercourse

As you can see these types of symptoms could very well be signs of some other issue perhaps even more problematic than a yeast infection.
This is why it is vital that you get yourself to your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
For the purposes of this article we shall continue on the assumption that you have been diagnosed with yeast infection...

What Causes Yeast Infections?

- The Cause -
The thing that actually causes yeast infections is a yeast-like fungus called 'candida albicans.' This is a naturally occurring fungus found in the human body, mainly in the gut, but also in warm, moist locations such as the vagina, anus, mouth, under skin folds, and so on.
You normally don't have to worry about the candida fungi because they are usually kept from overgrowing into an actual infection by the millions of friendly bacteria in your body.
But, if this environmental 'balance' of good bacteria v bad bacteria is upset in any way then the candida can overgrow and proliferate throughout your body causing yeast infection, sometimes called 'candida', 'candidiasis' or 'thrush.'
- Root Cause of Yeast Infection -
Anything that helps to upset this 'environmental balance' and / or feed the actual candida albicans can be recognised as an underlying cause of yeast infection. Here are just some of the most important...

• too high blood sugar levels (the yeast feeds on sugar)
• beneficial bacteria depletion (e.g. antibiotics kill the good guys as well as the bad guys)
• immune system breakdown (e.g. through illness, stress, etc.)
• hormonal imbalance (e.g. pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, etc.)
• drug therapy affecting the above (e.g. antibiotics, steroids, the Pill, HRT, immuno-suppressive drugs)

You can see then how important it is to address these root causes if you are to have any chance of banishing your infection for good.

Note: It is estimated that as many as 66% of women who buy and use over-the-counter drugs to eliminate yeast infection actually don't have candida, rather they have some other problem that these medicines are not meant to treat.
This is why I said at the start that you need to get a professional diagnosis before you begin using OTC medications.

Mainstream Treatment for Yeast Infection

Naturally enough, the first port of call for most women with yeast infection is the pharmacy for over-the-counter anti-fungal medicines. These are usually in the form of things like creams, sprays, pessaries, tablets, and so on, depending on where the infection is. Typical of these are:-

• Monistat
• Mycelex
• Lotrimin
• Terazol
• Micatin

These are normally taken as 1 day, 3 day or 7 day courses depending on the severity of the candida infection. The course is usually printed on the pack after the name, e.g. Monistat 7. A 1 day course is the highest potency drug with a 7 day drug being the least potent. It's very important to ensure that you finish the course even if the symptoms abate.
These medicines can clear the symptoms for many women in the quoted timeframes but there are one or two drawbacks... They do have some negative side effects, they tend to focus on the infection symptoms rather than the underlying cause(s), and the candida fungus can build up a resistance to the drugs over time. This means that many women can suffer from recurring infections. And there's the ongoing cost of course.
This is why there is an increasing interest in getting rid of yeast infections naturally using home remedies...

How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection Fast and Naturally at Home

More and more women (and men) are utilising natural home remedies to get rid of yeast infections. Not only are there home remedies to eliminate the nasty symptoms of candida there are also natural ways to address the underlying issues that trigger the fungal overgrowth.
Here are 10 top tips on how to get rid of yeast infection naturally:-
(1) Reduce Stress
This is very important in removing yeast infection. Stress can lower your immune system thus allowing the candida to overgrow. So do all that you can to reduce the stress in your life including exercising, rescheduling your activities, getting proper sleep, time out for relaxation, etc.
(2) Diet
Change to a diet that avoids foods and ingredients that can actually help the candida fungi to overgrow. This means avidly checking food labels and avoiding or seriously reducing the following...

• sugar in all its forms (incl. anything ending in '...ose' e.g., fructose)
• candies and chocolates
• foods containing sugar (incl. tinned food such as baked beans, etc.)
• artificial sweeteners
• refined carbohydrates because they breakdown into sugar
• products containing yeast
• dairy produce (often contains hormones and antibiotics)
• processed foods
• food containing preservatives, flavoring or colors
• mono-sodium glutamate (MSG)
• fizzy drinks
• stimulants like coffee, energy drinks, cigarettes, etc.

In terms of meat, poultry, fish, and vegetables you should make a real effort to eat only organic as modern farming methods tend to treat with antibiotics, hormones and pesticides.
(3) Take Probiotics
Probiotics are a way to help replenish the beneficial bacteria in your gut. They are available in the pharmacy or health foodstore and contain live friendly bacteria. You can normally get them in tablet, capsule, powder and liquid forms and it is always best to get the best quality ones.
(4) Yogurt as a Probiotic
Natural yogurt is a very well known source of live cultures. But it must be free from sugar, coloring, fruit and any other additives. Always check that the tub says that it contains live active cultures. The beneficial bacteria that is especially good for yeast is lactobacillus acidophilus found in true natural yogurt.
One of the best ways to ensure you get the very best is to make it yourself. A quick search on the Internet will reveal simple ways to do this. Or you can purchase natural yogurt making kits at very reasonable prices, here.
Interestingly, as well as rebalancing your gut flora, you can apply the yogurt directly over the site of the infection. For inside the vagina you can simply coat a regular tampon and insert overnight.
(5) Herbal Home Remedies
There are very many herbs that have excellent natural properties to help you get rid of the symptoms as well as prevent further infections. Here's a small sample:-

• turmeric
• cinnamon
• pau d'arco
• goldenseal
• camomile
• black walnut
• myrrh

Get them and more at your herbalist or health foodstore.
(6) Tea Tree Oil
This has very powerful anti-fungal properties. You should get this at the pharmacy and some health stores. But don't use if you are pregnant and don't apply to areas where the skin is broken.
(7) Apple Cider Vinegar
This remedy discourages candida growth by helping to rebalance your body pH. It must be raw, apple cider vinegar that hasn't been distilled or pastuerized. You should be able to get this at health foodstores.
To take internally just add 2 to 3 teaspoons to a large glass of water and take 2 to 3 times per day. Externally, just put half a cup into a low, warm bath and bathe for around 20 minutes, lapping the water against the affected part.
(8) Cranberries
The flavonoids in cranberries help to strengthen your immune system and so to fight the bad bacteria more effectively. As well as fresh, frozen or dried cranberries you can get them in juice form.
(9) Garlic
Raw garlic has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It can be eaten to help kill the fungus in your gut as well as topically; peeled and crushed into a paste and applied over the area affected.
It can also be inserted overnight in the vagina to help kill-off the candida there. Just wrap some muslin around a peeled garlic clove and tie securely with dental floss. Leave a tail of dental floss for easy removal.
(10) Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil is high in caprylic and lauric acid giving it very powerful anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties, ideal for combating yeast infection. It can be used in your diet and in your cooking. Take care that you don't use the hydrogenated type, only use virgin coconut oil.
So, as promised, those are the 10 tips on how to get rid of yeast infection naturally and fast at home.

How Are Holes in the Heart Diagnosed?

How Are Holes in the Heart Diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose holes in the heart based on a physical exam and the results from tests and procedures. The exam findings for an atrial septal defect (ASD) often aren't obvious. Thus, the diagnosis sometimes isn't made until later in childhood or even in adulthood.

Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) cause a very distinct heart murmur. Because of this, a diagnosis usually is made in infancy.

Specialists Involved

Doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating heart problems are called cardiologists. Pediatric cardiologists take care of babies and children who have heart problems. Cardiac surgeons repair heart defects using surgery.

Physical Exam

During a physical exam, your child's doctor will listen to your child's heart and lungs with a stethoscope. The doctor also will look for signs of a heart defect, such as a heart murmur or signs of heart failure.

Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

Your child's doctor may recommend several tests to diagnose an ASD or VSD. These tests also will help the doctor figure out the location and size of the defect.

Echocardiography

Echocardiography (echo) is a painless test that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of the heart. The sound waves (called ultrasound) bounce off the structures of the heart. A computer converts the sound waves into pictures on a screen.
Echo allows the doctor to clearly see any problem with the way the heart is formed or the way it's working.
Echo is an important test for both diagnosing a hole in the heart and following the problem over time. Echo can show problems with the heart's structure and how the heart is reacting to the problems. This test will help your child's cardiologist decide whether and when treatment is needed.

EKG (Electrocardiogram)    

An EKG is a simple, painless test that records the heart's electrical activity. The test shows how fast the heart is beating and its rhythm (steady or irregular). It also records the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through the heart.
An EKG can detect whether one of the heart's chambers is enlarged, which can help diagnose a heart problem.

Chest X Ray

A chest x ray is a painless test that creates pictures of the structures in the chest, such as the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
This test can show whether the heart is enlarged. A chest x ray also can show whether the lungs have extra blood flow or extra fluid, a sign of heart failure.

Pulse Oximetry

Pulse oximetry shows the level of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is attached to a finger or ear. The sensor uses light to estimate how much oxygen is in the blood.

Cardiac Catheterization

During cardiac catheterization (KATH-e-ter-i-ZA-shun), a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a vein in the arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck. The tube is threaded to the heart.
Special dye is injected through the catheter into a blood vessel or one of the heart's chambers. The dye allows the doctor to see the flow of blood through the heart and blood vessels on an x-ray image.
The doctor also can use cardiac catheterization to measure the pressure inside the heart chambers and blood vessels. This can help the doctor figure out whether blood is mixing between the two sides of the heart.
Doctors also use cardiac catheterization to repair some heart defects. For more information, go to "How Are Holes in the Heart Treated?"

BRUSHING TIPS

Tips on Proper Brushing

 Please do not ignore this facts.

Dentists say that the minimum time you should spend brushing your teeth is 2 minutes twice a day. Here are some tips on how to brush properly:

• Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gumline. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface in short (about half-a-tooth-wide) strokes. Brushing too hard can cause receding gums, tooth sensitivity, and, over time, loose teeth.
• Use the same method to brush all outside and inside surfaces of your teeth.
• To clean the chewing surfaces of your teeth, use short sweeping strokes, tipping the bristles into the pits and crevices.
•  

• To clean the inside surfaces of your top and bottom front teeth and gums, hold the brush almost vertical. With back and forth motions, bring the front part of the brush over the teeth and gums.
• Using a forward-sweeping motion, gently brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth to remove the decay-causing bacteria that exist in these places.
• Use an egg timer or play a favorite song while brushing your teeth to get used to brushing for a full 2 to 3 minutes. Some electronic toothbrushes have timers that let you know when 2 minutes are up.

Health Benefits Of Cucumber

 HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER           This wonderful blessed fruit has been ignored by many, but yet very special. this article will help you know more about cucumber.    

Cucumber is often regarded as a healthy food because it is low in calories and fat. Cucumber also contains many vitamins and minerals that make them a healthy choice for cooking and snacking. Here are 15 health benefits of cucumber:

1.Keep body hydrated
Cucumber has 96% water content that is more nutritious than regular water, which helps in keeping the body hydrated and regulating body temperature. It also helps in flushing out the toxins from the body.

2.Skin care
The high water content, vitamins A, B & C and the presence of certain minerals like magnesium, potassium, and silica make cucumbers an essential part of skin care. Facial masks containing cucumber juice can be used for skin tightening. Ascorbic acid and caffeic acid present in cucumbers can bring down the water retention rate which in turn diminishes the puffiness and swelling under the eyes. Cucumber skin also can bring relief to the skin caused by sunburn or windburn.

3.Fight cancers
Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol – three lignans that have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including bosom cancer, prostate cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer.

4.Control Blood Pressure
Cucumber juice contains a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber that work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumber good for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure.

5.Beneficial for teeth and gums
Cucumber juice is also beneficial for people with teeth and gums problems, especially in cases of pyorrhea. Cucumber is a good source of dietary fiber and this fiber massage in the teeth and gums.

6.Aid digestion
Digestive disorders like acidity, heartburn, gastritis and even ulcers can be cured by the daily consumption of fresh cucumber juice. The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumber are very effective in driving away the toxins from the digestive system and hence aid digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation.

7.Promotes Joint health
Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which known to help promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues.

8.Treat tapeworms
Cucumber seeds are used as a natural remedy for treating tapeworms. Bruised cucumber seeds mixed with water are also effective in the treatment of swellings of the mucous membranes of the nose and the throat.

9.Nail care
The high silica content of cucumber also helps to prevent splitting and spoiling of nails of the fingers and toes.

10.Relieve gout and arthritis pain
Cucumber is rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, when mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels.

11.Cures diabetes
The cucumber juice has been found to be beneficial for the diabetic patients. This vegetable contains a hormone needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing insulin.

12.Reduces cholesterol
Researchers found that some compound called sterols in cucumber may help reduce cholesterol levels.

13.Stimulate hair growth
Cucumber contains silicon and sulphur and thus a regular intake of cucumber can help promote healthy hair growth. For best results, mix cucumber juice with the juices of carrot, lettuce or spinach.

14.Acts as a diuretic
The water content of Cucumber acts as a diuretic. It encourages the elimination of waste products from the body through urination. Regular intake of cucumber helps to dissolve bladder or kidney stones.

15.Aid in weight loss
Due to its low calorie and high water content, cucumber is an ideal diet for people who looking for weight loss.

When buying cucumbers, choose the ones that are firm to touch and dark green in color. Do not buy overly matured or yellow colored as they are prone to contain more insoluble fiber and mature seeds. Go for organically grown cucumbers to get a rich taste and nutritients content.

Caring For The Teeth

Too many people ignore to take proper care of their teeth, but can spend so much in buying cloths make-ups and foods.  Please your teeth are also essentially important.

This article will help you to know to do just that.

Dentists say that the most important part of tooth care happens at home. Brushing and flossing properly, along with regular dental checkups, can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

If you're like most people, you don't exactly look forward to facing a dentist's drill. So wouldn't it be better to prevent cavities before they begin?

Giving Plaque the Brush-Off

To prevent cavities, you need to remove plaque, the transparent layer of bacteria that coats the teeth. The best way to do this is by brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day. Brushing also stimulates the gums, which helps to keep them healthy and prevent gum disease. Brushing and flossing are the most important things that you can do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Toothpastes contain abrasives, detergents, and foaming agents. Fluoride, the most common active ingredient in toothpaste, is what prevents cavities. So you should always be sure your toothpaste contains fluoride.

About 1 person in 10 has a tendency to accumulate tartar quickly. Tartar is plaque in a hardened form that is more damaging and difficult to remove. Using anti-tartar toothpastes and mouthwashes, as well as spending extra time brushing the teeth near the salivary glands (the inside of the lower front teeth and the outside of the upper back teeth) may slow the development of new tartar.

If you have teeth that are sensitive to heat, cold, and pressure, you may want to try a special toothpaste for sensitive teeth. But you'll still need to talk to your dentist about your sensitivity because it may indicate a more serious problem, such as a cavity or nerve inflammation (irritation).

Peeing Blood 

Peeing blood may be associated with different causes such as kidney stones, urinary stone and urinary tract infection. Sometimes symptoms go away on their own, but in severe conditions proper medical consultation must be done to get adequate treatment of the underlying condition.

If you are peeing blood, you may be concerned about why it happens and what happens next. It can be a scary situation to see blood in the urine, because urine is normally light-colored and clear. However, although it may be caused by a variety of factors, it is rarely life threatening in itself.
Peeing blood is medically known as hematuria. This may occur as having pink, bright red, or brownish blood while urinating. In some people however, hematuria may be discovered only as a laboratory finding, when only very few blood cells are seen in the urine under microscopic examination. In any case, it is not normal to see blood in urine, so it is best to consult a doctor to get the proper diagnosis and treatment of its underlying cause.
Hematuria is usually not accompanied by other symptoms, although in some, depending on the underlying cause, pain may be present while urinating. Peeing blood with blood clots may be accompanied by pain during urination.

Causes and Treatments of Peeing Blood

Blood in urine may come from any part of the urinary tract, from the kidneys down to the urethra and external genitals. A number of conditions can cause blood cells to leak into one's urine, including:

1. Urinary Tract Infection

Bacterial invasion and multiplication in any part of the urinary tract can cause one to pee blood. This is often associated with symptoms like burning pain during urination, urgency, and foul-smelling urine. However, some people, especially the elderly are not aware of the presence of an infection and may not detect blood in the urine. Blood cells in these cases are often detected in a urine exam.
Treatment of urinary tract infections involve taking of appropriate antibiotics to kill the offending organisms. These may be taken for 3-14 days, depending on the type of infection.

2. Pyelonephritis

Infection of the kidney occurs when bacteria from the urinary bladder move upstream to the kidney, causing pus formation and bleeding. A kidney infection or pyelonephritis is often accompanied by fever and pain in the side (flank pain).
You will need antibiotics to eradicate the infection and antipyretics like acetaminophen to treat the fever.

3. Urinary Stone

Minerals in the urine may precipitate and form crystals in the kidney or bladder, which may later become hard urinary stones. These stones do not generally cause pain when they are small. However, when they grow large enough to cause obstruction to the passage of urine in any part of the urinary tract, they may cause one to pee blood and feel excruciating pain. Hematuria due to kidney stones or bladder stones may be seen as bloody urine, but in some, it is only detected by urine examination or urinalysis.
Stones in the urinary tract often pass in the urine undetected. However, when they cause symptoms such as hematuria and severe pain, they may have to be surgically removed through cystoscopy or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Drinking a lot of fluids throughout the day encourages passing of small stones in the urine and can also prevent further stone formation.

4. Enlargement of the Prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition among aging men, where the prostate gland (a small organ that lies below the urinary bladder) enlarges and presses on the urethra. This causes a partial obstruction to urine flow, leading to blood in the urine, trouble urinating, and urgency.
Diet modification and some medications can help shrink an enlarged prostate. In some, surgery is an option, especially when symptoms are severe.

5. Prostatitis

This condition is caused by infection and inflammation of the prostate which occurs in younger men. Symptoms are similar to BPH, but fever may be present.
Prostatitis is associated with sexual practices and antibiotic treatment may be needed. Modification of sexual practices can also help reduce one's risk for this condition.

6. Kidney Disease

Glomerulonephritis is a type of chronic kidney disease that may be a complication of another condition, such as diabetes. It may also occur independently, and may be triggered by bacterial or viral infection. It may also be associated with an immune system problem or a blood vessel disorder called vasculitis. Blood cells in the urine are often found under microscopic examination rather than by peeing blood.

7. Kidney Trauma

An injury such as a blow to the kidney, an accident, or a stab wound can cause one to pee blood. Immediate medical and surgical attention is required in these cases because one can lose a lot of blood. Blood replacement therapy may be needed in severe cases of bleeding.

8. Vigorous Exercise

Athletes who do strenuous exercises such as runners often pee blood, although the explanation is not very clear. Factors that may cause gross hematuria after exercise include dehydration, bladder trauma, and blood cell breakdown.
You must avoid doing strenuous exercise if you begin to see blood in your urine. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Refrain from engaging in contact sports that can cause kidney injury.

9. Cancer

Early stages of cancer in the urinary tract may not be detectable, but in advanced cases, seeing blood in the urine may be characteristic of prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer. Early consultation and treatment will help treat the early stages of cancer.

10. Hereditary Conditions

Inherited disorders like sickle cell anemia (a defect in the blood hemoglobin) and Alport syndrome (a defect in the kidney glomeruli) can cause visible or microscopic blood in urine. Consult an expert for proper treatment of the disorder.

11. Drugs

Some medications can cause visible bleeding in the urine, and these include penicillin, aspirin, blood thinner, and anti-cancer drugs like cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Consult your doctor when you see blood in the urine when taking any of these drugs.

When to See a Doctor

Sometimes symptoms go away on their own, but often times, peeing blood may need medical attention. While some underlying conditions may be treated by a general practitioner, others need expert advice from a specialist. You need a specialist's advice when:

• You are peeing blood with no pain, and lab tests show you have no infection.
• You are 40 years of age or older and experience frequent urinary tract infections with blood in urine.
• You are 50 years of age or older and you have unexplained microscopic blood.
• Your doctor detects a tumor in your abdomen.

Foamy Urine

While urine is normally clear and light-colored, foamy urine may or may not be associated with an abnormal medical condition. If it occurs frequently, chances are that there is an underlying abnormality which needs proper diagnosis and medical treatment.

Waste products of metabolism are excreted from the body by the kidneys through the urine. The urine contains wastes that have been filtered from the blood by the kidneys, and the resulting solution is a pale, straw yellow, or amber-colored liquid that comes out of the body through the urethra. Urine contains water, uric acid, urea, inorganic salts, ammonia, and blood pigments that have been broken down.

Symptoms and Signs of Foamy Urine

Normally, urine does not appear foamy. However, sometimes some foam develops depending on the speed of urinating. Occasionally, it may also be a sign of dehydration, and foamy urine indicates that it is concentrated. However, if you pass foamy urine frequently, it may be a sign of an underlying disease or condition which needs medical evaluation.
Foamy urine can be turbid or cloudy in color. Some people may have blood or pus in the urine. If there is an infection, urination may be accompanied by some pain. In women who have an active vaginal infection, vaginal discharge may appear in the urine, making it cloudy and frothy in appearance.

Causes and Treatments Foamy Urine

Urinating Rapidly/Dehydration

Rapid urination can cause foaming in the urine. Some people postpone going to the bathroom and collect a large amount of urine in their bladder. This leads to forceful urination, and results in fast emptying of the bladder. The stream of urine that follows hits the toilet rapidly and causes foam to develop. In other people, taking too little water or fluids causes some dehydration which leads the kidneys to produce concentrated urine. This also results in production of foamy urine.
If the foam in the urine is caused by either dehydration or rapid urination then there is no need to worry. One must simple try to empty the bladder regularly to avoid forceful and fast urination. It is also recommended to maintain adequate hydration by drinking plenty of water daily to avoid having concentrated and foamy urine. However, if you notice that your urine is frequently foamy in spite of improving your habits, you must consider seeking medical consultation for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Protein in the Urine

The presence of a substantial amount of protein in one's urine is a common factor that results in foamy urine. Small amounts of protein may be naturally expelled in the urine. When protein is excreted in large amounts, however, the abnormal condition is known as proteinuria.
Proteins in the blood do not usually come out in the urine because they are regulated by the kidney glomeruli. However, some conditions may cause proteins to be filtered out into the urine, and these include:

• Kidney infection
• Kidney damage
• Excess dietary intake of proteins (from high protein foods like meat, chicken or fish, or from dietary supplements)

Foamy urine is characteristic of having an excessive amount of protein in the urine. Proteinuria may be detected in a urinalysis. In these cases, experts recommend reducing the intake of protein supplements or excess amounts of high-protein foods. Medical consultation is advised for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Infection

An infection in the urinary tract caused by bacteria or fungi can result in cloudy and foamy urine. This is usually accompanied by a burning pain during urination, which is characteristic of a UTI or urinary tract infection. The microorganisms causing the infection produce foam in one's urine.
UTI is usually detected in a urine examination and may be treated with antibiotics. Patients are also advised to increase their fluid intake to flush out the microorganisms.

Fistula Formation

In some people, a fistula or unnatural connection may develop between the urinary bladder and the colon (large intestine), and this is called a vesicocolic fistula. The bladder becomes swollen and fluid accumulates beneath the skin. Foam is formed, and on urination, the urine becomes foamy. Because of the connection to the colon, the urine may also have an offensive odor and may contain some feces. This is not a normal condition and may be a sign of another underlying condition such as Crohn's disease or a tumor. Medical consultation must be sought deal with this condition.

Semen in Urine

After sexual intercourse, some semen may be left in one's urethra, which may come out in the urine. However, small amounts of semen do not usually lead to foam in the urine. Another condition called retrograde ejaculation may result in large amounts of semen going back to the bladder if the sphincter (a muscle that prevents retrograde flow) is not properly functioning. This is usually associated with foamy urine and medical advice is recommended.

Kidney Disease

People with kidney disease as a complication of diabetes or kidney stones can also have foamy urine. To diagnose kidney disease a simple urinalysis may be done, followed by other relevant tests such as the dipstick test and other blood tests. A 24-hour urine collection may also be requested for better evaluation of kidney function.

BLOODY URINE

Blood in urine - known medically as hematuria - is usually not a reason for major alarm.

Because blood in urine can be a sign of a serious medical condition, however, it shouldn't be ignored. All cases of hematuria should be evaluated by a doctor who can order tests to confirm or rule out an underlying cause.

There is no specific treatment for hematuria since it's a symptom and not a specific condition. Instead, treatment is aimed at the underlying cause if one can be found. In many cases, no treatment is necessary.

Where Blood in Urine Might Come From

Blood in urine can come from the kidneys, where urine is made. It also can come from other structures in the urinary tract, such as:

• Ureters (the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder
• Bladder (where urine is stored).
• Urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body).

Symptoms That May Accompany Hematuria

If there is blood in urine, the symptom is obvious. Instead of its normal pale yellow color, your urine may be pink, red, brownish-red, or tea-colored. This is what doctors call gross hematuria.

Sometimes, blood in urine is not visible to the naked eye and the presence of red blood cells can only be detected by the lab. This is what doctors call microscopic hematuria. It's usually only discovered when a urine sample is tested with a dipstick and the results are confirmed with a microscopic examination.

Hematuria may occur without any other symptoms. Some underlying causes, however, are associated with additional symptoms that can be moderate to severe. These include:

• Bladder infections (acute cystitis). In adults, bladder infections usually cause burning or pain with urination. Infants with bladder infections may have fever, be irritable, and feed poorly. Older children may have fever, pain and burning while urinating, urgency, and lower belly pain.
• Kidney infections (pyelonephritis). Symptoms may include fever, chills, and flank pain, which refers to pain in the lower back.
• Kidney stones. Symptoms may include severe abdominal or pelvic pain.
• Kidney diseases. Symptoms may include weakness, high blood pressure, and body swelling, including puffiness around the eyes.

Causes of Hematuria

Common causes of blood in urine include:

• Bladder or kidney infections.
• Bladder or kidney stones.
• Certain kidney diseases, such as inflammation in the filtering system of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis).
• Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or prostate cancer.
• Inherited diseases such as sickle cell anemia and cystic kidney disease.
• Certain medications such as aspirin, penicillin, heparin, ncyclophospamide, and phenazopyridine.
• A tumor in the bladder, kidney, or prostate.
• Kidney injury from an accident or sports.
• Vigorous exercise.

Sometimes, what appears to be blood in urine is actually red pigment from other sources such as food dyes, medications, or an excessive amount of beets. Doctors refer to this latter cause as "beeturia."

Assessment of Hematuria

Your doctor will start by taking a medical history and asking what may have caused the appearance of blood in your urine. This will be followed by a test called urinalysis. In this test a urine sample is analyzed.

Urine tests may include urine cytology, which uses a microscope to look for abnormal cells in the urine. Blood tests may also be ordered. If blood contains high levels of wastes that kidneys are supposed to remove, it could be a sign of kidney disease.

In addition to urine and blood tests, you may need additional imaging tests. These may include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan. A CT, which is a special X-ray scan, can help identify bladder or kidney stones, tumors, and other abnormalities of the bladder, kidneys, and ureters.
• Kidney ultrasound. An ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of the kidney's structure.
• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP). This is an X-ray of the urinary tract that requires dye.
• Cystoscopy. This test involves the insertion of a small tube with a camera into the bladder through the urethra. Tissue samples (biopsy) may be obtained to check for the presence of abnormal or cancerous cells.
• Kidney (renal) biopsy. A small tissue sample is removed from the kidney and examined under a microscope for signs of kidney disease.

Treatment of Hematuria

Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause. After treatment, your doctor will recheck your urine to see if the blood is gone. If you still have blood in your urine, you may need additional tests, or you may be referred to a urologist.

Usually, no treatment is necessary unless a serious condition is causing the hematuria.

If no underlying cause is found during the initial evaluation, you may be advised to have follow-up urine testing and blood pressure monitoring every three to six months, especially if you have risk factors for bladder cancer, such as being age 50 or older, smoking cigarettes, or exposure to certain industrial chemicals.