Cloudy Urine During Pregnancy – Causes – When to Worry?

What Does Cloudy Urine Mean?

Cloudy urine can mean a number of different things. It can be the result of a number of possible causes – a change in diet, for example, can change the appearance of urine. In medicine, it can also be a symptom of an underlying condition. It may also be associated with conditions that affect the kidneys, bladder, or it could simply be due to a sexually transmitted disease.


If it’s diet related, it will disappear within a day or two after removing the cause of change in the diet. Dark colored food are among the common culprits in the changes in urine’s color as well as strong food dyes and colorings. Not drinking enough water can also be attributed to dark, cloudy, and sometimes painful urination. So on average, a person should drink as much as eight glasses of water per day to lessen his urine concentration.

Causes Of Cloudy Urine:

In women, vaginal secretions can cause cloudy urine. This could be normal or abnormal. If it’s abnormal, it is usually accompanied by itchiness or unusual bleeding. Urinary Tract Infection or UTI can also cause cloudy urine. Other symptoms include persistent urge to urinate, frequent urination in small volumes, and burning or painful urination. UTI can be treated with antibiotics and it usually goes away after a few days. If it’s a byproduct of a sexually transmitted disease like Gonorrhea, it can be treated with antibiotics since it’s not viral. Kidney stones can also cause cloudy urine. Its other symptoms include severe pain in the lower back, nausea and vomiting, fever, and painful urination. If you’re not sure of the cause, it’s best to consult a physician right away. Remember that any change in its appearance can be an indicator of something serious or benign.

Cloudy Urine During Pregnancy:

It is relatively common for a pregnant woman to experience cloudy urine. It could be due to a number of causes, either serious or benign. It is, therefore, important to make the correct diagnosis to ensure the health of the expectant mother. Pregnancy brings about hormonal and dietary changes in women. Often, these changes account for alterations in the appearance of urine. Eating a lot of dairy products and having large meals before going to bed can cause cloudy urine. This is due to the build up of phosphate crystals that are relatively harmless and it goes away after urinating in the morning. Allergic reactions can also be another cause of cloudy urine during pregnancy. Commonly, a pregnant woman has vaginal discharges that could account for cloudy urine, and it is often harmless. However, if it’s foul smelling, it should be checked by a doctor right away in order to be safe. Proteinuria, a condition during pregnancy wherein there is a passing of excess protein in the urine that could represent a large range of different problems also causes cloudy urine. And due to the effect of pregnancy to the urinary system, more women are prone to having a Urinary Tract Infection. This infection is treatable and as previously stated, it is characterized by cloudy urine, disruption to the normal urinary pattern, and burning or painful urination. Though the diagnosis of UTI could be a little difficult to make considering that sometimes, no pain during urination is noted. Add the fact that pregnancy brings about changes in hormones and dietary intake. And pregnancy itself disrupts usual urinary pattern so it’s difficult to tell and Diagnosis of cloudy urine can become inaccurate.
As a rule of thumb, if a change in urine is only experienced once or just for a day, then it’s only benign and you have absolutely nothing to worry about. If it persisted for more than a couple of days and it’s accompanied by other symptoms, then a medical diagnosis is already needed. In order to diagnose, usually a urinalysis is conducted. A pregnant woman is instructed to collect a mid stream urine sample for analysis. This is done to determine the type of infection. In most people, there’s no need for urinalysis. UTI can be easily treated. For a pregnant woman, however, it usually takes a longer time to treat that’s why urinalysis is most commonly performed.

Cloudy Urine: When To Worry?

Regardless of the cause, if you see any changes in the color or appearance of your urine, you should never hesitate to consult your doctor. It’s always better to be sure than to regret later on.

Food Poisoning – Definition – Causes – Treatment And Difference Between Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu

Food Poisoning Definition:

Food-borne illnesses, more commonly known as food poisoning, is category of diseases that are brought about by eating or consuming contaminated food and drinks. Contaminated food or drink is defined as food and drink, which is infected with pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins or chemicals. Food can be contaminated through improper preparation, storage and treatment of food. Contamination can also occur because of unsanitary handling of food and beverages. Food poisoning can be mild or severe and sometime it can be fatal to cause death. The level of seriousness depends on the cause or the contaminant in the food or the beverage that is ingested by the victim.

Food Poisoning Statistics:

Food poisoning is not rare disease as a matter of fact it is very common and prevalent. In the United States alone, food poisoning cases reach alarming figures with about 48 million people being affected every year by food-borne illnesses, about 128,000 people are hospitalized because of food poisoning, and 3,000 people die from food poisoning. This estimates where the latest figures released by the CDC in 2011 and are deemed to be the most accurate. These only include the reported cases and there are many food poisoning occurrences that are not formally reported. the estimates provides information on known contaminants as well as cases where there is no known cause for the food poisoning. Countries in Europe, Asia and all over the world also have disturbing figures of food poisoning cases and global awareness for food safety has been a serious issue fro many national and international health organizations and institutions.

Signs and Symptoms of Food Poisoning:

There are more than 250 million food-borne illnesses that are known and experienced today. Food poisoning has a variety of symptoms depending on the cause of the contamination. There are no standard set of symptoms that pinpoint directly to a case of food poisoning though there are symptoms that are commonly observed in many food poisoning cases. These common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. These symptoms occur because generally the infection starts its course of spread in the gastro-intestinal tract. These signs and symptoms usually present themselves in a period of 48 hours after the patient consumed the contaminated food or beverage. These are classified as the mild or the primary symptoms and more serious symptoms may appear depending on the cause. The more serious signs and symptoms involve bloody stools, fever, dehydration, muscle weakness, lack of appetite and headache. Dehydration is a serious complication from diarrhea and vomiting which is very commonly occurs in many kinds food poisoning because the body loses too much fluid and electrolytes. The extent and severity of the symptoms experienced can be based not only on the kind of contaminant of the infected food and beverage but also on the amount of contaminated food or beverage that the person consumed. The symptoms can also depend on the organs and body systems which are affected by food poisoning. High-risk people who are affected by food poisoning have more serious cases and symptoms than ordinary people and they can be in more danger because of this. Pregnant women, the elderly, infants and children, people who are diagnosed with other medical conditions and illnesses, persons suffering from autoimmune diseases, and people with weak immune systems are all categorized under high risk cases for food poisoning.

Difference of Food Poisoning from Stomach Flu:

Food poisoning and stomach flu may be the same thing, their difference lies if the cause is food related contamination. Stomach flu will be considered food poisoning if it is caused by ingestion of contaminated food or drink. Stomach flu presented in a number of people eating in the same place or eating the same kind of food can be considered a food poisoning outbreak if all of them experience stomach flu as well as the other common symptoms of food poisoning. Stomach flu is generally regarded to be a simple case of intestinal illness that settles in 24 hours and if the stomach flu does not recede within that time and more symptoms appear which are under the common food poisoning symptoms, then it is recommended to call a doctor or get the patient to a medical facility to be diagnosed properly.

Causes of Food Poisoning and Food Poisoning Micro-organisms:

Food poisoning can affect almost all kinds of people, young or old, healthy or sick and this makes it very unpredictable as everyone can be victimized by food poisoning as it is caused by food. Micro-organisms that contaminate and infect food can be classified according to their incubation period in the food and drink. In short incubation periods amounting to less than 16 to 24 hours, there are chemical causes and bacterium causes of food contamination. With intermediate incubation of 1 to 3 days, food poisoning causes include pathogens such as

Bacteria Causing Food Poisoning:

• Campylobacter,
• Shigella spp,
• Salmonella
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus,
• E. coli (enterotoxigenic),
• Vibrio cholera,

Virus Causes Food Poisoning:

• viruses such as Norwalk,
• rotavirus and
• adenovirus Etc

Toxins Causes Food Poisoning:

• Clostridium botulinum.

All these pathogens, viruses, and toxins contaminate food and water and have serious and dangerous complications. In long incubation or 3 to 5 days period, food poisoning can be caused by bacteria such as Hemorrhagic E. coli and Yersinia enterocolitica. When it comes to very long incubation or period of about 1 month, food poisoning can be caused by parasites which produce diseases such as Giardiasis, Amoebiasis, Trichinosis, and Cysticercosis. It can also be caused by bacteria which produce diseases like Listeriosis, and Brucellosis. Viruses which cause diseases like Hapatitis A are also included. Protozoans that produce diseases like Toxoplasmosis and Prion which causes Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) also cause food contamination and food poisoning.

Ways of Preventing and Treating Food Poisoning:

There is this saying that prevention is better that cure. In food poisoning, preventive measures and safety in food handling are the best ways to avoid contaminated food and drinks. Here are some important reminders to prevent food poisoning. The most basic is to cook food thoroughly and properly particularly meat and eggs. Clean food and kitchen utensils or anything that is to be used for eating cooking and preparing food. Wash and rinse fruits and vegetables them carefully. Separate different kinds of food to avoid cross-contamination. Separate raw meat from cooked meat and use different utensils and cutting boards or wash them first before using on another food. Also ensure that leftovers are refrigerated right away.
Treatment for mild food poisoning can be simple and be done at home. The basic treatment involves preventing dehydration through drinking lots of water, rest and gradual eating. Medicines for diarrhea can also be given depending on a doctor’s prescription. In cases of serious food poisoning with more symptoms and complications such as fever, unconsciousness, severe vomiting and diarrhea and others, the person should be taken to a hospital for consultation with a physician. Cases of suspected food poisoning outbreaks involving many people who exhibit the symptoms by eating in the same restaurant or having the same foods should be reported immediately.

How an Itchy Face Could Happen

Having an itchy face is the most puzzling of all. It suddenly becomes a sensation under the skin, and one would scramble to scratch it to erase the feeling away. An itch could be a sudden sensation that goes away as fast as it comes, or an annoying persistent notion. An itch is a strongly felt sensation, but could be with or without trace at all. An itchy face could be as harmless as a minute irritation, or as lethal as relentless red spots. It is mysterious because it does not show any sign nor symptom, and nobody really knows how itching is related to and caused by various reasons.

Causes of Itchy Face

An itch could be defined as an unpleasant sensory experience that causes the reflex to scratch the itchy part of the skin, just as pain prompts a person to withdraw from the source of the sensation. And like all sensory experiences, an itchy face could be caused by many things. It could originate from the outer layer of the skin itself (dermal), from somewhere on the pathways of the nervous system (neuropathic) and from the deep recesses of the brain (neurogenic and psychogenic). The unpleasant feeling could also be caused by external factors.

Other Factors that cause Itchy Face

An itch originating from the outer layer of the skin is very common. It could either be the harmless result of some allergy and foreign objects (insect bites and chemicals), of which are usually non-malignant and the itch trigger should only be removed. However, an itchy face could be a symptom of some dermatological disorder, such as a dry skin (xerosis), a healing wound, a developing pimple or mole, or some skin condition (eczema, sunburn, psoriasis and many others). And of course, itching could also be caused by infections and infestations, such as body lice & louse, scabies, chicken pox and herpes.

What to do with Itchy Face

Dermatological itching is relatively easy to manage and control. And though treatments in the form of sprays and creams are readily available over-the-counter, it is still very important to cure the real cause of an itchy face or any other part of the skin. The following are some of the commonly-used anti-pruritic topical treatments: counterirritants (e.g. menthol, mint oil, camphor), antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine or Benadryl), corticosteroids (e.g. hydrocortisone) and local anesthetics (benzocaine or Lanacane). Such topical treatments are always available in the stores. But as most drug advertisements say, it would be best to consult a doctor if symptoms still persist.
However, an itchy face, or itching in any other part of the body, could also originate beyond the outer layer of the skin. The itching sensation could be merely a figment of the mind and as a symptom of psychiatric disorders like hallucination, obsessive-compulsive disorder and delusions of parasitosis. And as the nervous system is responsible for all sensory experiences of a person, a damage in the pathways of the nerves could also cause itching. This is usually a result of multiple sclerosis, nerve irritation, brain tumor and other neuropathic diseases.

Kidney Stone Pain Relief – Things You Need To Know About

Kidney Stone Pain Relief:

Dealing with kidney stone pain can be one of the most painful experiences a person can have in his or her entire life. Anyone who has gone through the ordeal could attest to this fact. But before going further on the pain that kidney stones could cause, let us first learn more about the kidneys and why they develop stones sometimes.

What are the kidneys? Basic Functions Of Kidney :

• The kidneys are one of the most important organs in the body. Their job is to filter the impurities found in the blood and get rid of these wastes through the urine.
• Together with the ureters, bladder, and the urethra, the kidneys make urine excretion possible. When kidney stones develop, they impair the organs from doing their normal job and obstruct the process of urination too.
• Kidneys also regulate the levels of electrolyte in the body. Proper levels of electrolytes are crucial for normal bodily functions

What are Kidney stones?

• Kidney stones form due to the crystallization of some chemicals and minerals in the urine. When they develop, they can cause mild to severe kidney stone pain.
• At first, kidney stones are nothing bigger than a grain of sand. At this stage, you may not feel any pain yet. However, they grow bigger overtime and could be as big as a tenth of an inch or perhaps bigger.
• The size of the kidney stones isn’t as much of a concern compared to their location. When the stones are inside the urinary track, the condition is called urolithiasis. When they are in the kidneys, the condition is called nephrolithiasis. And when they are in the ureters, they cause ureterolithiasis. When the stones block or hinder the flow of the urine, kidney stone pain may start becoming apparent.

What is the kidney stone Pain And Other Associated Pains with Kidney Stone?

• Strong and persistent pain in the pelvis or the lower back is one of the first indications of kidney stone formation. The discomfort may come and go or may be felt continuously. It may also get more severe and may concentrate on a certain spot in your abdomen or lower back.
• You may also feel tension every time your urine would pass over a stone which blocks its flow. This makes urinating arduous.
• The pain caused by kidney stones could also be progressive. It could start from the lower back to the abdomen and may also cause fever and chilling. This kind of pain could be debilitating and disable you from going on with your routine. Standing up from a bent position could also be taxing. In order to lessen the severity, you may take some painkillers. However, as the drugs wear off, the pain will be there once again.
• Piercing and sharp pains on either side of the lower back are also indicative of kidney stones. When you experience a kidney stone pain like this, you may already be suffering from a full-blown attack. It is crucial to seek medical help fast so the sharp pains could be alleviated. The doctor would also give your further details on how to deal with kidney stone pain.

Understanding Kidney Pain and Kidney Infection

Kidney Pain And Kidney Infection:

Kidney pain, often equated with back pain, is a chief symptom of kidney infection. When it is experienced together with urination difficulties, the person may have kidney infection. This is a serious condition that should be promptly treated to prevent severe complications.

What Is Kidney Pain?

Kidney pain is distinguished from other back pains by two things: its location and nature. First, the kidneys are located higher up in the trunk than most people think. They are found just under the rib cage, on a person’s back. Second, kidney pain is characterized as dull and constant, rather than stabbing, sharp or intemittent. It also tends to manifest on just one side of the back: on the left or the right.

That said, it is possible to feel pain in what doctors call a “referred” or “radiated” manner. This kind of pain is felt on a part of the body that may be close to, but is not, the source of the pain. Thus, it is possible to feel kidney pain not on or even near the actual location of the kidneys. People with kidney infection do in fact feel pain on their flanks or abdomen, or on lower areas of their back. It is also common for them to feel pain in the genital area.

Another kind of pain usually associated with kidney problems is pain during urination. Some people complain of a burning sensation while passing urine. This causes considerable discomfort, because they also feel a frequent urge to urinate throughout the day. Thus they make repeated visits to the toilet, like pregnant women or people taking diuretics do.

Kidney Pain Symptoms:

Aside from pain and urination problems, other symptoms of kidney infection include fever, fatigue, body aches, nausea and vomiting, and hematuria or pyuria. Hematuria is blood on the urine, while pyuria is pus on the urine. Pyuria is almost always a sure sign of infection. Hematuria, meanwhile, may also indicate other diseases, such as sexually transmitted infections and bleeding disorders.
Not all of these symptoms are usually experienced. Most people with kidney infection feel only pain and some difficulty urinating. If there is pyuria or hematuria, the infection may already be in an advanced stage. The person should therefore not delay seeing a doctor.
With a few days of taking antibiotics, most kidney pain symptoms go away. If they don’t, the doctor should be informed right away so he can modify the medical intervention as needed.

Kidney Pain Causes:

Many things can cause kidney pain. The most common cause is, of course, kidney infection or pyelonephritis. Any bleeding, disease, abnormality or cancerous cells in the kidneys can produce pain. So can problems in the nerves and blood vessels that enter or lead to the kidneys. Examples are clotting and blockages in the renal blood vessels, such as renal vein thrombosis and renal atherosclerosis.

People are often surprised to learn that there are many different types of kidney disease that can cause kidney pain. The list includes polycystic renal disease, acute renal disease, horseshoe kidney, glomerulonephritis, nephritis, diabetic nephropathy, and chronic kidney disease. To have an accurate diagnosis, one must consult with a specialist such as a urologist or a nephrologist.

In the case of simple kidney infection, the cause is bacteria from the environment. These harmful microorganisms enter the body through the urethra. They multiply and find their way upward the urinary tract: through the urethral canal, into the bladder, through the ureters, and finally in the kidney itself. Each person has two kidneys, and often, only one of these becomes infected at a time. This is the reason why back pain is usually felt on just one side (left or right).

In rare instances, bacterial infection may come not from the outside, but from a contaminated bloodstream. Blood continually enters the kidneys, and so these organs are among the first to feel the effects of septicemia or blood poisoning, should this occur. This is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical treatment.

Contrary to what most people think, kidney stones do not usually cause kidney pain. As long as they are in the kidneys, stones typically cause no pain. What causes sharp, intense pain is when the stones move out of the kidney, along the ureters on their way to the bladder. The medical term for this severe pain is ”renal colic” or “ureteral colic.”

Kidney Pain Treatment:

Pain resulting from kidney infection is treated with antibiotics. If the pain is severe, the doctor may also prescribe pain relievers.

It is important for the doctor to determine what exactly is causing the kidney pain before he can prescribe medications or even devise a medical plan. As mentioned, there is a variety of kidney problems that can cause pain. The treatment plan for glomerulonephritis is different from that for, say, renal vein thrombosis. Some kidney diseases will require long-term treatment, while others may also necessitate surgery.

In general, kidney infection is more easily treated than other kidney disorders. Nonetheless, the infection still needs prompt treatment. If this is not given, there is a chance that the kidney may be damaged permanently, and other severe complications can occur.

If infection is suspected, the doctor needs to know the specific kind of bacteria causing the problem, so he can choose the right antibiotics. Urine tests and cultures are done to identify the specific pathogen responsible. Once a course of antibiotics is started, it must be completed up to the prescribed period, even if the symptoms subside long before this. This will ensure that all bacteria are destroyed and the infection is totally eliminated. Some people stop taking their antibiotics once the symptoms are gone, even though the prescribed medication period is not yet over. This is a dangerous practice, as it can lead to the development of resistant strains of bacteria.

Kidney Pain Final Words:

The important thing to remember is to consult a doctor right away when kidney infection is suspected, or when worrisome symptoms appear. The kidneys are very important organs of the body. They are crucial to good health. When they become infected or impaired, immediate measures must be taken to prevent further damage and restore them to normal functioning. The way to do this is to seek professional medical help immediately, and to comply strictly with the treatment plan prescribed by the doctor.

Facial Itching – Common Causes

Facial Itching and Common Causes:

Facial itching – how does an itch actually come from under up to the surface of the face? Nobody knows. It is the most puzzling sensation of all, because its intensity, frequency, malignancy and causes have a very wide possible range. When it is felt, it could be feeble that goes away with a little rub, or could be very intense that requires heavy scratching. It could be a sudden sensation in the face a person feels while watching TV, or a persistent annoyance that could last for weeks. A facial itching could be as harmless as a little insect on the skin, or as lethal as leprosy. What is even puzzling of all is that an itch in the face could be a symptom of many things, and nobody really understands how it is related to various causes.

Facts about Facial Itching:

An itch is an unpleasant sensation. By scientific definition, just as pain causes a person to withdraw from the source, an itch prompts one to scratch the itching part of the skin. And just like the pain, facial itching could arise from the mechanisms in the outer layer of the skin & along the pathways of the nerves (peripheral nervous system) and in the brain itself (central nervous system).

Common Causes of Facial Itching:

Of course, the most common cause of facial itching, or any other kind of itching, is the kind that comes from the outer layer of the skin itself. The sensation could be triggered various reasons. It could be as harmless as an insect bite or a chemical irritant; in this case, one would only need to remove the itch trigger. An itch could also be the result of some common dermatological disorder, such as an open or healing wound, a developing pimple or mole and a dry skin. Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, etc. also result to itching in some parts of the face and skin. Infections and infestations could also trigger itching.

What to do with Facial Itching:

For these kinds of itching, a lot of topical treatments are readily available over-the-counter. They could be in the form of sprays and creams, and in some way or another would contain the following ingredients: menthol, camphor, mint oil (as counter-irritants), diphenhydramine (as anti-histamine), hydrocortisone (as corticosteroids), benzocaine (as local anesthetics) and crotamiton (a anti-pruritic used to treat scabies). By applying these ingredients on the skin, the facial itching sensation would at least be lessened. It is more important however to address the underlying cause of such itching.

However, facial itching, or any other kind of itching, could also be caused by factors other than dermatological problems. The sensory experience could be the result of some psychiatric disorder (e.g. obsessive-compulsive disorder, hallucination, etc.); in this case, the itching is only an imagined sensation. It could also be the result of some damage in the peripheral and central nervous system (nerve irritation, multiple sclerosis, brain tumor, etc.), because the system is responsible for all the senses a person feels. Though the itching in this case is real, one has to cure the damage in the nerves.

How to Avoid Having Itchy Armpits:

Having an itchy armpits is a very unpleasant, uncomfortable and embarrassing feeling. There are some days when a person experiences this, that even if rubbed and scratched persistently the annoying feeling still won’t go away. The fact that the itchiness is in the armpits all the more makes it uncomfortable, as that part of the body is not readily accessible; unlike the itching on the hands, face or legs. And of course, it would be very embarrassing to scratch the armpits when in a public place. The itchiness is even exacerbated when armpit is sweating, moist and warm. Such feeling is enough to make the rest of the day go bad.

Having Itchy Armpits – What does it mean?

Almost all people have had experienced persistent itchy armpits at some point or another. Just like itching in other parts of the skin, the sensation prompts a person to rub and scratch the itchy part (called a reflex) so as to soothe the sensation away. This is very similar to the sensory experience of pain, wherein it causes a person to withdraw from the source of pain, which is a message from the nervous system that that object is harmful for the body. The itchiness in the armpits also means there may be something bad that the skin has contacted. Following are some of the common and most possible causes of the itchy sensation in the embarrassing part of the body.

What to do with Itchy Armpits?

Obviously, having itchy armpits could be avoided by observing proper hygiene and personal cleanliness. Built-up sweat, grime and dirt will cause body odor and itchiness in most parts of the body; and it is therefore imperative to take a bath on a regular (preferably daily) basis and to wear clean and washed clothes. Running water and soap will remove the unpleasant build-up of sweat, dirt and grime; and almost all kinds of itchiness could be prevented simply by observing proper hygiene.

Cleanliness all the more becomes important, as the armpit is a particular area where most sweating occurs. This is because the armpit is always kept warm and moist by hair and clothing, and thus prone to the occurrence of the itchy feeling. Participating in physical activities such as sports heavy induce perspiration, and wearing tight-feeling clothes or unwashed shirts during such activities could cause itchy armpits. Especially for people who sweat excessively, it would be very advisable to wear loose and clean clothes and applying deodorants when playing sports.

Other causes of Itchy Armpits:

Aside from lack of proper hygiene and excessive sweating, allergies and rashes are also among the most common causes of itchy armpits. The armpits are one of the most underexposed parts of the body, and this makes them extra-sensitive to irritants such as wrong deodorants & detergents, and other allergies and rashes. As for chemical irritants, the best advise would be for a person to use the deodorants and detergents correct for his/her skin type. As for other allergies and rashes, it would be best to apply topical treatments and to refrain from rubbing the armpit, as this would harshen the condition.