A urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused due to infection from microbes. Most UTIs are bacterial, but some may be caused due to viruses and fungi as well. They are one of the most common infections in people and can occur anywhere in your urinary tract. The best way to avoid complications is to know about the symptoms and diagnosis of UTI for early detection. Symptoms 1. Frequent urination People with a UTI often have the urge to urinate frequently without passing too much urine. It could mean frequent trips to the bathroom that can interfere with your day-to-day life. 2. Burning sensation If you notice a burning sensation at the time of urination, you must consider it a warning sign and discuss it with your gynecologist for further examination. 3. Blood in urine When the bacterial infection from UTI causes irritation and inflammation, your urine may appear light pink or cola-colored due to the presence of blood. While this is a common symptom, it is important to see your doctor immediately if you notice blood in your urine. 4. Strong odor Foul-smelling and cloudy urine is one of the most noticeable symptoms of UTI. This is because of the bacteria present in it.

The barrier method of contraception prevents fertilization, ensuring that the sperm does not reach the woman’s egg during intercourse. It is used to prevent pregnancy and protect oneself from sexually transmitted diseases. There are many types of barrier contraceptives and this article discusses them in detail. What are barrier contraceptive methods? These are essentially contraceptives that can be inserted before any sexual activity and discarded after. These are single-user devices and should not be reused at any cost. Barrier methods are safe and do not trigger any health risks, and are safe for breastfeeding women. These devices are inexpensive, and most are available over the counter or can be bought from supermarkets. However, in some cases, one could go through allergic reactions, and sometimes it could be difficult and embarrassing to insert it just before intercourse. There are many types of barrier-method contraceptive devices available. Check them out below. 1. Male condoms Made of plastic, rubber, or animal membrane, this is used to cover the penis during intercourse, preventing the sperm from reaching the uterus. 2. Female condoms These are thin plastic pouches that line the vagina and are held by a thin inner ring in one end at the cervix and an outer ring at the vagina.

The type of cancer that affects the prostate gland of men is known as prostate cancer. Like most types of cancer, it also does not cause symptoms in its initial stages. This article addresses the various signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that one might experience once the condition has reached its advanced stages. Knowing about these can help in earlier diagnosis and better treatment. 1. Problems with the urethra and bladder This is one of the common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer at an advanced stage. It occurs when the tumor grows in size and begins pressing against the urethra and the bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the exterior of the body. But, when the tumor starts pressing against it, there can be problems with urination since it will block the entrance of urine into the tube. Also, given the proximity of the two organs, the prostate and the bladder, the most common area for prostate cancer to spread is the bladder. This can add up to further problems with bladder functioning and urination. In such cases, symptoms such as increased visits to the bathroom, urinating in the middle of the night, discharge of blood with semen or urine, having the urge to urinate, but not passing anything, and incontinence are seen.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive immune disease that affects the immune system and makes it attack parts of your body that are responsible for your vital functions. Over time, the destruction of the protective myelin sheath can compromise the functioning of the brain and the spinal cord. Since MS has unpredictable symptoms, it is important to recognize these early signs to prevent long-term damage and get timely treatment. 1. Vision-related problems The most common symptom of MS is vision problems. Persistent inflammation can interfere with central vision by damaging the optic nerve. As a result, one experiences double vision, loss of vision, or blurriness. These vision-related problems can be recognized immediately and must treated as a red flag. 2. Numbness MS can affect the spinal cord and brain functioning. This means it sometimes sends wrong signals or no signals at all. A person may experience numbness due to this. If the numbness is preceded by a tingling feeling in your fingers, arms, legs, or face, then it can be a sign of MS. 3. Chronic pain Pain and discomfort followed by spasms is also one of the most common early signs of MS. You may also experience muscle stiffness or painful jerking movements.

Sweating is a normal bodily response to hot weather or exertion. Yet there are times when it may signify an underlying health problem. It could be a symptom of diabetes, thyroid problems, or infection. This article will talk about some of the most common medical causes of excessive sweating. 1. Medications There are several medications that are known to cause excessive sweating. These include medications for blood pressure; psychiatric drugs; and medications for dry mouth, supplements, and antibiotics. So, in case you have started to notice excessive sweating after the intake of a prescribed medicine, you should immediately report it to your doctor. 2. Thyroid Problems Hyperactive thyroid is one of the common medical causes of excessive sweating. Hyperthyroidism can disrupt your body’s ability to regulate temperature. As such when the hormone levels reach higher than usual, you might feel extremely hot and start to sweat excessively. 3. Obesity As opposed to people with normal or healthy weight, people with high levels of obesity show higher levels of trans-epidermal water loss, which occurs because of excessive sweat gland activity. People with obesity have to move more body mass because of which more heat is generated. This is why people with obesity sweat more than usual.