What causes urinary tract infections after sex. How can women reduce their risk of post-coital UTIs. What are effective prevention strategies for recurrent UTIs related to sexual activity. When should you seek medical care for UTI symptoms.

Understanding the Link Between Sexual Activity and UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health concern, particularly for women. While UTIs can occur for various reasons, sexual intercourse is a significant risk factor. Understanding the connection between sexual activity and UTIs is crucial for prevention and maintaining optimal urinary health.

UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary system, typically through the urethra, and multiply in the bladder. In women, the anatomical structure plays a role in their increased susceptibility to UTIs after sex. The female urethra is shorter than the male urethra, making it easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder.

Why are women more prone to UTIs after sex?

The primary reason women are more susceptible to UTIs after sexual activity is due to their anatomy. The close proximity of the urethra to the vagina and anus increases the likelihood of bacteria being introduced into the urinary tract during intercourse. Additionally, the friction and movement during sex can push bacteria towards the urethra, facilitating its entry into the bladder.

Recognizing UTI Symptoms Following Sexual Activity

Identifying the symptoms of a UTI early is crucial for prompt treatment and prevention of complications. Common signs of a UTI that may appear after sexual intercourse include:

• Frequent and urgent need to urinate
• Burning sensation during urination
• Cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• Lower abdominal pain or discomfort
• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
• Blood in the urine (in some cases)

If you experience these symptoms consistently after sexual activity, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Risk Factors for Recurrent Post-Coital UTIs

While not everyone experiences UTIs after sex, some individuals are more prone to recurrent infections. Understanding these risk factors can help in implementing targeted prevention strategies.

Who is more likely to develop UTIs after intercourse?

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing UTIs after sexual activity:

• New sexual partners
• Frequent sexual intercourse
• Use of certain types of birth control (e.g., diaphragms or spermicides)
• History of previous UTIs
• Genetic predisposition
• Menopause and associated hormonal changes
• Underlying medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, pelvic organ prolapse)

Recognizing these risk factors can help individuals take appropriate preventive measures and seek timely medical advice when necessary.

Effective Strategies for Preventing UTIs After Sex

While the risk of UTIs cannot be completely eliminated, there are several practical steps that can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing an infection after sexual activity.

How can you minimize the risk of post-coital UTIs?

Implementing the following strategies can help prevent UTIs associated with sexual intercourse:

1. Urinate before and after sex to flush out bacteria
2. Clean the genital area thoroughly before and after intercourse
3. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water
4. Use a water-based lubricant to reduce friction
5. Avoid using spermicides or diaphragms if prone to UTIs
6. Consider changing birth control methods if experiencing recurrent infections
7. Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom
8. Wear breathable, cotton underwear
9. Avoid prolonged exposure to wet or damp clothing

By incorporating these practices into your routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing UTIs after sexual activity.

The Role of Hygiene in UTI Prevention

Proper hygiene practices play a crucial role in preventing UTIs, especially those associated with sexual activity. Maintaining good genital hygiene can help reduce the bacterial load and minimize the risk of infection.

Which hygiene practices are most effective in preventing UTIs?

To maintain optimal urinary health and reduce the risk of UTIs, consider the following hygiene practices:

• Avoid using harsh soaps or douches in the genital area
• Clean the genital area with warm water and mild, unscented soap
• Urinate when you feel the need, rather than holding it in
• Take showers instead of baths to reduce exposure to potential irritants
• Change out of wet swimwear or sweaty clothes promptly
• Use unscented, gentle hygiene products
• Avoid using powders or sprays in the genital area

By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can create an environment that is less conducive to bacterial growth and reduce your risk of UTIs.

Dietary and Lifestyle Factors in UTI Prevention

In addition to hygiene practices, certain dietary and lifestyle choices can impact your susceptibility to UTIs. Making informed decisions about what you consume and how you live can contribute to overall urinary health.

Can dietary changes help prevent UTIs?

While diet alone cannot prevent UTIs, certain dietary choices may support urinary health:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Consume cranberry products, which may help prevent bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall
• Include probiotics in your diet to promote a healthy balance of bacteria
• Limit consumption of bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods
• Consider vitamin C supplements, which may help acidify the urine and inhibit bacterial growth

It’s important to note that while these dietary changes may be beneficial, they should not replace medical advice or prescribed treatments for UTIs.

Medical Interventions for Recurrent UTIs

For individuals who experience frequent UTIs despite following preventive measures, medical interventions may be necessary. Healthcare providers can offer various strategies to manage and prevent recurrent infections.

What medical options are available for preventing recurrent UTIs?

Healthcare providers may recommend the following interventions for individuals prone to recurrent UTIs:

• Low-dose antibiotic prophylaxis taken after intercourse or daily
• Vaginal estrogen therapy for postmenopausal women
• Immunoactive prophylaxis to boost the immune system’s response to UTI-causing bacteria
• Intravesical instillations to directly treat the bladder lining
• Investigation and treatment of underlying urological conditions

It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment plan based on individual circumstances and medical history.

When to Seek Medical Attention for UTI Symptoms

While many UTIs can be prevented with proper care and hygiene, it’s important to recognize when professional medical attention is necessary. Prompt treatment can prevent complications and provide relief from uncomfortable symptoms.

In which situations should you consult a healthcare provider for UTI symptoms?

Seek medical attention if you experience:

• Persistent or severe UTI symptoms that don’t improve with home care
• Fever, chills, or back pain, which may indicate a kidney infection
• Blood in the urine
• Recurrent UTIs (three or more in a year)
• UTI symptoms in men, as this is less common and may indicate an underlying issue
• UTI symptoms during pregnancy

Early intervention can prevent the spread of infection and ensure appropriate treatment. Healthcare providers can perform necessary tests, prescribe antibiotics if needed, and offer personalized advice for prevention.

By understanding the connection between sexual activity and UTIs, recognizing symptoms, and implementing preventive strategies, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing these infections. Remember that while UTIs are common, they are not an inevitable consequence of sexual activity. With proper care, hygiene, and medical support when necessary, it’s possible to maintain urinary health and enjoy a satisfying sex life.

Causes and How to Prevent Them

One common way women get urinary tract infections is by having sex. But that doesn’t mean you have to banish sex from your life to prevent painful infections.

By Meryl Davids LandauMedically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MD

Reviewed: February 20, 2020

Medically Reviewed

What you do before and after sex is more important than what you do during it when it comes to UTIs.Mosuno/Stocksy

Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) aren’t the only consequences of having sex. For some women, a urinary tract infection (UTI) can also be a result.

Blame it on anatomy, which makes a UTI (also called a bladder infection) more likely for women than for men, says Sujata Yavagal, MD, a urogynecologist at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami.

Still, it isn’t inevitable that having sex will cause a UTI. Taking proper precautions can minimize your odds.

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What May Cause a UTI After Sex?

The urethra is the tube through which urine exits the body from the bladder. In women, this tube is short, making it quicker and easier for bacteria to enter the opening and infiltrate the bladder.

The bacteria that cause a UTI live in the area around the anus, Dr. Yavagal says. Sex can shift bacteria toward the front. From there, it’s just a short hop up the urethra into the bladder, where it can multiply and cause a UTI.

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What Are the Symptoms of a UTI?

Not surprisingly, some of the symptoms of a UTI involve the frequency and quality of pee. Women suffering from a UTI, whether they get the infection from sex or other ways, can have a strong urge to urinate, have cloudy or red or pink urine, and may experience pain or burning during urination.

You might also get fever, shaking, or chills, and even pain in your upper back, your side, or the pelvic region.

Why Are Some People Prone to Getting a UTI Every Time They Have Sex?

You probably don’t get a UTI every time you have sex. But it can feel that way if you come down with UTIs often.

Sex definitely can trigger the condition. In fact, urinary tract infections have been nicknamed “honeymoon cystitis” — cystitis is another name for an infection of the bladder — because frequent intercourse can lead to the development of a UTI.

Other reasons you might get recurrent UTIs are: having a new partner, having a family history of them, living with diabetes or pelvic organ prolapse, transitioning to menopause (the increased dryness that results when estrogen levels drop can increase your odds), or having difficulty fully emptying your bladder, Yavagal says.

Men get UTIs, but much less frequently than women.

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How to Prevent UTIs When You’re Sexually Active

You don’t have to stop having sex to prevent UTIs. Here are some steps you can take to minimize bacteria buildup and reduce your risk of getting UTIs from sex.

• Urinate before sex and promptly after. This will flush your system and keep bacteria that has entered your urinary tract from gaining a foothold.
• Clean your genital and anal areas (wiping front to back only) before and after sex.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, then have an extra glass after intercourse. This will help rid your urinary tract of unwanted bacteria.
• Use a vaginal lubricant. Friction during sex can irritate the urethra.
• Consider a new form of birth control. If you’re prone to UTIs, you may want to avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide as your form of pregnancy prevention. These can introduce bacteria into the area and can kill off healthy bacteria that keep the problem germs in check.

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Other Ways to Minimize Your Chances of Getting a UTI

Yavagal also recommends these steps to her patients who are prone to the condition.

• Don’t use douches, sprays, or powders in the genital area. “There are protective bacteria in the vagina that we don’t want to wash away,” she says.
• Clean your anus well after having a bowel movement. Use a separate sheet of toilet paper (or even a wet wipe) to clean the front and the back.
• Consider drugstore supplements. Yavagal especially likes concentrated cranberry pills, which are thought to create an acidic environment that minimizes the colonization of the wrong bacteria; probiotics; and d-mannose, which tiny pilot studies have linked to improvements in UTIs.
• Talk to your doctor about whether you need a prescription for antibiotics after you have sex.

How Are UTIs Treated?

Your doctor will typically prescribe an oral antibiotic to rid you of the UTI.

Yavagal says if you come down with a UTI frequently, ask your doctor to do a culture one time to be sure this is actually what you have. A chronic bladder condition known as interstitial cystitis (IC) is sometimes mistaken for a UTI, she says. You should be especially suspicious if the antibiotics you have taken for your UTIs in the past have not sufficiently helped.

Can You Have Sex if You Have a UTI?

In general, it is recommended that you avoid having intercourse when you have an active urinary tract infection. When you get an antibiotic prescription, ask your doctor when the right time to resume sexual activity would be. Of course, you can still kiss and have other intimate and emotional connections.

Once you have completed a course of antibiotics and the UTI has cleared away, you should be able to resume sexual activity. But be sure to take the careful steps necessary to prevent the sex from putting you on the road to yet another one.

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What Is Interstitial Cystitis? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Signs and Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis causes mild symptoms in some people and terrible pain and disruption in others. For some, symptoms come and go, while in others they’re present all the time.

Symptoms of IC may go away for a while, only to return months or even years later.

Changes in the bladder caused by interstitial cystitis may have the following symptoms:

Pain Interstitial cystitis can cause sensations of pressure, discomfort, or pain in or around the bladder. The pain may be mild or severe and may also affect the vaginal, urethral, or scrotal areas.

Pain in IC often gets worse as the bladder fills up and is relieved with urination.

Frequent Urination Because the bladder becomes stiff and loses elasticity, people with interstitial cystitis often have the urge to urinate frequently both day and night.

Urinating fewer than eight times during the day and no more than once at night is considered normal. In severe cases of IC, a person may need to urinate up to 60 times per day.

Urgency In people with interstitial cystitis, the need to urinate can be intense and hard to control. In some people, this sensation never goes away, even right after urination.

While certain other disorders that affect the bladder can cause urine leakage, IC typically does not. In fact, leakage can be a clue that you have a different condition.

Sexual Dysfunction Many people with interstitial cystitis experience pain during sexual intercourse. In men, this may include pain after ejaculation.

Nocturia This term denotes the need to urinate multiple times during the night. If it causes nocturia, IC can lead to significant sleep disruption. (1,2)

Causes and Risk Factors of Interstitial Cystitis

Doctors don’t know the exact cause of interstitial cystitis, but many researchers believe that it is initially triggered by damage to the bladder lining. (2)

In a 2017 study, researchers found that many people with IC produce a protein, called antiproliferative factor, that makes the bladder sensitive to urine. (3)

This protein prevents the growth of bladder cells, so it may prevent the bladder from healing itself when damage occurs. (2)

Many researchers believe that IC may develop for a number of different reasons, such as the following:

Damage to the Bladder Surgery or other types of trauma may damage the bladder, contributing to this condition.

Bladder Distention The inability to empty your bladder for long periods of time has been associated with interstitial cystitis.

Nerve Damage Spinal cord trauma and inflammation of the pelvic nerves have been suspected as causes.

Bacterial Infection A bladder infection, or cystitis, may contribute to the onset of IC in some people.

Muscle Dysfunction When the pelvic floor muscles aren’t working right, they may contribute to bladder problems.

Autoimmune Disorder Some researchers suspect that the body’s own immune system may attack certain bladder cells in some people with IC. (1,2)

In recent years, the relationship between interstitial cystitis and forms of abuse — including physical and sexual abuse — has been widely discussed. Different studies have come to vastly different conclusions about whether any relationship exists between IC and abuse. (2)

How Is Interstitial Cystitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosing interstitial cystitis typically isn’t a simple process. There isn’t any single medical test that can definitively diagnose IC, or rule it out.

To diagnose IC, your doctor will consider your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical and neurological exam. Your doctor may also give you a questionnaire about bladder or pelvic pain.

Your doctor may also order or administer other tests to help diagnose IC, or to rule out other health conditions. These tests may include:

Urine Tests Simple tests of a urine sample can rule out other conditions by detecting signs of an active infection or blood in your urine.

Ultrasound of Bladder This noninvasive test allows doctors to see the shape and structure of your bladder, as well as how well you empty it after urination.

Urodynamic Evaluation This test involves filling your bladder with water through a catheter (narrow tube) to measure pressure as it fills and empties.

Cystoscopy This procedure involves inserting a specialized viewing instrument into your bladder to look for ulcers or lesions caused by IC, or other problems, such as a tumor. (1)

Prognosis of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis may come and go on its own, even for extended periods of time. But in some people, meaningful relief from symptoms will occur only with treatment.

Symptom relief may not occur right away with treatment, and it may take several attempts to find a treatment strategy that works for you. But most people with IC eventually achieve significant relief and can live a normal life. (1,2)

Treatment and Medication Options for Interstitial Cystitis

There isn’t any single treatment that works for everyone with interstitial cystitis. Your doctor will recommend treatments on the basis of your symptoms and whether previous treatments have failed to control them. (1)

The American Urological Association recommends starting with more conservative therapies in most cases (e.g. when ulcers or lesions are not present), before gradually moving to more invasive treatments when “other treatments have not provided adequate symptom control and quality of life improvement. ” (4)

Treatment strategies for IC typically follow this series of phases.

Phase 1: Lifestyle measures and physical therapy. The first step in treating IC is to identify things that trigger your symptoms, such as stress or certain foods and beverages. Your doctor may also recommend that you see a pelvic floor physical therapist, who can manipulate muscles in the area or prescribe exercises to help with symptoms.

Phase 2: Medications. Your doctor may prescribe a number of drugs to treat IC symptoms. Some of these medications are taken by mouth, while others are applied directly to the bladder through a catheter (narrow tube).

Phase 3: Neuromodulation, ulcer cauterization, and Botox. Neuromodulation involves delivering electrical impulses to nerves to change how they work. Cauterizing bladder ulcers (known as Hunner’s ulcers or Hunner’s lesions) can offer long-term pain relief, and botulinum toxin (Botox) injections into the bladder muscle may help reduce IC pain when other treatments don’t.

Phase 4: Cyclosporine. The immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine (Neoral) carries many risks, but it may help when other treatments for IC are ineffective.

Phase 5: Surgery. As a last resort, surgery to divert the flow of urine or remove the bladder may be considered. (1,2)

Medication Options

At first, your doctor may recommend that you take over-the-counter pain relief medications for interstitial cystitis. If additional drug treatments are needed, your doctor may recommend the following oral drugs (taken by mouth):

• amitriptyline (Elavil)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• pentosan polysulfate (Elmiron)

Your doctor may also consider administering the following drugs by injection to your bladder:

• dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50)
• heparin
• lidocaine

As an alternative to cauterization, your doctor may decide to inject the steroid drug triamcinolone at the site of a bladder ulcer.

Botox is a drug that paralyzes muscles when injected into them, and may be considered as a bladder treatment for IC when prior treatments are no longer adequate.

Cyclosporine, the last drug that is typically considered for IC, is an oral drug that suppresses the immune system. While it may provide symptom relief, it carries significant risks, including a generally higher risk of infection. (1,4)

Prevention of Interstitial Cystitis

Since the causes of interstitial cystitis are unclear, and the condition may have multiple causes, there aren’t any specific steps you can take to avoid IC in the first place.

But once you have IC, there are a number of lifestyle measures that may help reduce your symptoms.

Avoiding foods that cause bladder irritation may help relieve symptoms of interstitial cystitis.

Common bladder-irritating foods include:

• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits
• Spicy foods
• Chocolate
• Coffee and caffeinated beverages
• Alcoholic beverages
• Carbonated beverages

Since so many foods can contribute to symptoms of interstitial cystitis, you may benefit from an elimination diet, in which you stop eating all potential irritant foods for one to two weeks. If your symptoms improve, you can then gradually reintroduce eliminated foods to see if they trigger any symptoms.

Emotional or mental stress can contribute to IC symptoms, so it’s important to identify potential sources of stress in your life and avoid or cope with them to the best of your ability. (1)

Resources We Love

The following organizations and websites offer information and support on interstitial cystitis and related health conditions.

Interstitial Cystitis Association

This nonprofit group is the only charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with interstitial cystitis. Its website provides information on countless aspects of IC, online support groups and forums, virtual education resources, and tips for how to get involved in research or advocacy.

Urology Care Foundation

This website from the American Urological Association provides information on various health conditions, including IC, as well as an overview of the organization’s research efforts and tips for general urological health.

American Chronic Pain Association

This organization’s website provides an overview of different health conditions that can cause chronic pain, as well as online support groups for people with chronic pain and resources for dealing with pain.

International Pelvic Pain Society

This group aims to support people living with conditions that cause pelvic pain, and advocates for greater awareness and “interdisciplinary approaches” to evaluating and treating these conditions. Its website has information on meetings and membership, the group’s annual convention, and fundraising events (all of which follow a virtual format this year).

Bladder and Bowel Community

This website has articles on a wide range of topics related to bladder and bowel dysfunction, including helpful forms of exercise, mental health concerns, and problems that could be causing bladder symptoms.

Additional reporting by Chris Iliades, MD.

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Self-care: Self-care: Lenta.ru

They say that if you treat a runny nose, it will pass in a week, and if not treated, then in seven days. This myth is refuted by doctors and scientists: in fact, if nothing is done about rhinitis, it can lead to serious complications or become chronic. About how to quickly get rid of a runny nose, how to prevent it and what to do if it does not go away for a long time – in the material “Lenta.ru”.

What is a runny nose and why is it important to treat it in a timely manner?

Runny nose (rhinitis) is an inflammation of the nasal mucosa, due to which blood stagnates in the vessels and part of the plasma escapes through the vascular walls into the surrounding tissues.

In most cases, the appearance of a runny nose is associated with hypothermia or exposure to infections, allergens and dust. Sometimes rhinitis can be associated with the presence of a foreign body in the nasal cavity, the occurrence of polyps, as well as with a tumor of the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses.

Photo: RossHelen / Shutterstock / Fotodom

The most common symptoms of a runny nose in children and adults are:

• green or yellow discharge from the nose;
• difficulty in nasal breathing;
• feeling of dryness in the nasopharynx;
• itching and burning in the nose;
• frequent sneezing and watery eyes;
• partial or total loss of smell;
• headache.

There are two types of runny nose:

acute – may be an independent disease or indicate the presence of another acute infectious disease, such as influenza or measles. Acute coryza symptoms usually last two to three days and then subside;

chronic – a long-term sluggish inflammatory process, in which the symptoms of the disease appear and disappear. In most cases, it occurs due to improper treatment of the common cold.

The nasal mucosa is the main barrier that protects the human body from the harmful effects of the external environment. Damage to this barrier leads to changes throughout the body and can be the beginning of acute or chronic inflammatory, as well as allergic diseases of the respiratory system

Gleb Simonov Otorhinolaryngologist

That is why it is so important to treat a runny nose in time – ignoring the symptoms of the disease sometimes leads to serious complications. Inflammation of the nasal mucosa can spread to the paranasal sinuses, and infected mucus can enter the auditory tubes or go down into the throat, larynx, and lower respiratory tract.

Photo: Maridav / Shutterstock / Fotodom

“Especial attention should be paid to the common cold in newborns and infants. In the first place, they may not have a violation of nasal breathing, but general symptoms, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances, increased intracranial pressure, and symptoms of irritation of the meninges. Breathing through the mouth during feeding is accompanied by a violation of the act of sucking and swallowing air, ”explains Gleb Simonov, otorhinolaryngologist of the Semeynaya clinic network.

Timely treatment of the common cold prevents the development of diseases such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis and otitis

Causes of rhinitis:

• exposure to the body of viral, bacterial, fungal or mixed infections;
• trauma of the nasal mucosa, in response to which acute inflammation occurs;
• exposure to the body of aggressive agents: dust, smoke, chemicals in the form of aerosols or vapors;
• hormonal changes during pregnancy or puberty, as well as medications such as hormone replacement therapy and birth control pills;
• reaction to external stimuli – alcohol, spicy food, anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen;
• overuse of decongestant nasal sprays.

In addition, there is such a thing as vasomotor rhinitis. It occurs as a result of a malfunction of the blood vessels. By itself, vasomotor rhinitis is not considered dangerous, but if left untreated, it can lead to the development of chronic sinusitis.

Photo: Antonina Kuznetsova / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Quick ways to relieve a runny nose and snot, dead cells and pathogens infections, clears the nasal passages and moisturizes the mucous membranes. You can buy a seawater-based solution at a pharmacy or make your own by adding two teaspoons of salt to a liter of water.

2. The use of vasoconstrictor (vasoconstrictor) drugs for the common cold

Edema and nasal congestion occur due to vasodilation. Vasoconstrictor drops in the nose help narrow blood vessels, relieve swelling and make breathing easier.

Vasoconstrictors do not cure a runny nose, but help to temporarily reduce the amount of discharge and improve breathing. The use of vasoconstrictor drugs for more than three to five days can cause addiction and dependence on the drops. The use of vasoconstrictors in children or in patients with glaucoma and hypertension is not recommended due to side effects

Gleb Simonov Otorhinolaryngologist

3. Hydration and air humidification

Low air humidity leads to dryness in the sinuses – this increases the risk of inflammation, runny nose and nasal congestion, and also leads to frequent bleeding. A humidifier will help alleviate the condition and reduce the level of inflammation inside the nose and sinuses.

4. Rest and sleep

The main condition for the development of a runny nose is the weakening of the body’s defenses, so strengthening the immune system is one of the main factors contributing to recovery, says otorhinolaryngologist Gleb Simonov. Normalization of the daily regimen, hardening of the body, rest, avoidance of chronic stressful situations, smoking cessation, as well as a balanced diet rich in vitamins can help with this.

Home remedies for a runny nose

• warm drinks – to thin the mucous discharge from the nose, you need to drink more liquid. Hot tea with medicinal herbs, such as chamomile and mint, will help reduce swelling of the mucous membrane and facilitate nasal breathing;
• natural oils – to relieve the symptoms of a runny nose, you can put a small amount of coconut, sesame or almond oil on a swab and lubricate the inside of the nose;
• warm, moist air will help relieve dry nose. You can take a hot shower or just sit in the bathroom with the door closed and the shower turned on. Before doing inhalations with essential oils, it is better to consult a specialist, as individual intolerances and burns of the nasal mucosa are possible.

Prevention of the common cold

Firstly, the common cold develops when the immune system is weakened, so to prevent it, it is necessary to support the body’s defenses.

Photo: Estrada Anton / Shutterstock / Fotodom

How to strengthen the immune system:

• sleep hygiene: go to bed and wake up at the same time, put away all gadgets an hour before bedtime, sleep in a dark, cool room seven to nine hours a day;
• give up alcohol and smoking;
• reduce stress or learn to control its level through breathing practices and meditation;
• eat a balanced and varied diet rich in vitamins and trace elements;
• lead an active lifestyle, exercise regularly;
• practice good hygiene: wash hands after returning from the street, going to the toilet, coughing and sneezing.

Second, avoid contact with allergens such as house dust mites, mold, smoke or smog, pollen, pet dander.

Distinguishing allergic rhinitis from rhinitis that occurs due to the action of any irritant (dust, chemical, foreign body, anatomical defect of the nose) is quite difficult. It is necessary to take into account the patient’s allergic history, the result of skin tests for the presence of allergens, the level of general and specific IqE in the blood serum, as well as the results of cytological examination of the nasal mucosa

Gleb Simonov Otorhinolaryngologist

Thirdly, you need to observe hygiene and regularly ventilate the premises – this way the house will not create a favorable environment for the reproduction of bacteria and viruses. It is better to wash bedding once a week, vacuum the mattress once a month, but going to bed sweaty, dirty or with makeup on your face is highly discouraged, just like eating right in bed. All this contributes to the reproduction of dust mites.

When to see a doctor

You can often deal with a runny nose on your own, but there are cases in which it is worth contacting a specialist. For example, nasal congestion after an injury and yellow or green snot that stand out for more than a week.

Another reason to go to the doctor is toothache associated with a runny nose. The roots of the upper teeth are located near the sinuses, and infection resulting from dental treatment or trauma can spread into the sinuses and cause purulent inflammation. Such cases require treatment by an ENT and a dentist at the same time.

If a runny nose persists for more than seven to ten days, the color of the discharge changes and other complaints appear – for example, facial pain and headache, severe nasal congestion, increasing general malaise – or inflammation is more pronounced on one side, then immediately see a doctor

Gleb Simonov otorhinolaryngologist

Sometimes a common cold can hide serious illnesses that require specialist advice, the otorhinolaryngologist emphasized. Timely treatment of acute rhinitis significantly reduces the risk of the disease becoming chronic. If you do not start therapy for the common cold on time, tonsillitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, or other infectious diseases may develop.

orgasm against the common cold, beard against blows and belly against corruption

On September 9, 2021, the funniest science award ceremony was held.

On the night of September 10, 2021, the 31st ceremony of presenting one of the most famous and loved by many awards in the world of science, the Ig Nobel Prize, took place in the USA in an online format.

A kind of parody of the prestigious Nobel Prize, the Shnobel (Ignobel, or Anti-Nobel) Prize is awarded for scientific achievements “which make you first laugh and then think.”

The 2021 Ig Nobel Prize ceremony, like last year, was webcast due to coronavirus restrictions.

Traditionally, the “Shnobel” is awarded to the winners by Nobel Prize winners of different years. This gesture is intended to remind viewers that, despite the smile that the results of these scientific studies cause, they still have serious scientific value.

Although sometimes it is really hard to believe.

Today we will tell you about ten laureates who received the 2021 Ig Nobel Prize in nine fields of science and one Ig Nobel Peace Prize.

Biology

The Schnobel in Biology in 2021 was awarded to Susanne Schötz, Associate Professor from the University of Lund in Sweden, for the phonetic analysis of cat “talks”. Shotz conducted a detailed analysis of the variations of cat purring, meowing, hissing, growling, howling, “chirping”, “creaking”, muttering and a number of other ways cats communicate with humans.

The results of this work in English are published in the public domain in PDF format.

Swedish researcher believes that millennia of coexistence between humans and domestic cats were not in vain, and these mysterious animals were able to find a way to communicate with their two-legged “masters”.

One of Shotz’s early studies, also available in PDF format, confirms this assumption. In this exercise, 30 participants had to guess from a recording of a cat’s meowing whether it was asking for food or waiting to see the veterinarian. Experienced “cat experts” among the study participants noted that it was not at all difficult to determine the context of some of the sounds heard.

From all this, we can conclude that while scientists ignored the issue of feline linguistics, striped predators did not waste time in vain and “developed” a fairly effective way to communicate to a person about their desires and intentions.

Suzanne Shotz with one of her cats.

Photo by Anna Johansson/Lund University.

Ecology

Scientists from Spain and Iran received the Ig Nobel Prize in Ecology for the genetic analysis of bacteria living in pieces of chewed gum stuck to sidewalks around the world.

This “nasty” study was published in October 2020 in Scientific Reports. Scientists have found that in just a few weeks, bacteria from the oral cavity can evolve, adapting to living in the “external” environment.

The researchers also looked at how well various substances in gum are biodegradable in the environment.

This discovery may be useful for forensics, infectious disease control and the search for ways to clean the environment – bioremediation.

Thus, the award, which at first glance is comic, draws attention to a really serious problem – environmental pollution with non-decomposable waste, moreover, potentially infected with very tenacious bacterial strains.

Ecology award winners remind about the need to properly dispose of chewed gum.

Photo by Ricky Han/Unsplash.

Chemistry

An international group of scientists was awarded the Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their study of the composition of the air in crowded movie theaters.

Researchers measured the levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by people when they watched movies with different age ratings.

The fact is that the concentration of certain substances that evaporate from the surface of the skin changes depending on the emotional state of a person.

That is, watching scenes containing violence, sexual activity, antisocial behavior, the use of illegal substances, and foul language can fill the air in the cinema with characteristic chemical “notes”.

The results of this work were published in 2018 in PLOS ONE.

The researchers had at least one scientific goal: to create a method for classifying films based on a measurable emotional response from viewers. Apparently, the authors of the work are not at all satisfied with the existing classification based on the assessment of the content of films.

By the way, scientists also found that at least one volatile compound – isoprene – turned out to be a good indicator for determining films suitable for audiences from zero, six and twelve years old.

A film’s rating can be predicted by the substances emitted into the air by viewers when watching a movie.

Photo by Krists Luhaers/Unsplash.

Economics

A witty study of the relationship between politicians’ obesity and the level of corruption in the country was conducted by the winner of the 2021 Ig Nobel Prize in Economics Pavlo Blavatskyy from the Montpellier Business School in France.

The scientist collected 299 face images of ministers from 15 post-Soviet countries. Based on these photographs, the researcher compiled an approximate body mass index for each politician using a computer algorithm.

No matter how mocking it may sound, the average values ​​of this indicator really did a good job of reflecting the level of corruption in the country.

The author of the work proposes to evaluate the honesty of officials by the roundness of their cheeks in cases where more accurate information about corruption in the region is not available. For example, this method can work at the local government level.

The study was published in Economic of Transition and Institutional Change in 2020.

It turns out that by the appearance of a politician one can determine how he manages budgetary funds.

Photo by Marco Oriolesi/Unsplash.

Medicine

The answer to the question of whether good sex can help with nasal congestion excited the winners of this year’s Ig Nobel Prize in Medicine.

Let’s not waste time: the answer was positive.

Researchers meticulously studied people’s nasal breathing before intercourse, immediately after it, 30 minutes, one hour and three hours after successful completion.

At the same time, the scientists made similar measurements of the effect of vasoconstrictor nasal sprays.

The result was that sexual intercourse culminating in orgasm helped relieve nasal breathing as well as nasal spray for a whole hour after the “therapy”.

Scientists note that only those participants who complained of nasal congestion the day before had “unfolded” their nose after sex.

A study of the curious connection between the nose and the genitals was published in January 2021 in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal.

Another "folk remedy" was found for nasal congestion.

Photo by Brittany Colette/Unsplash.

Peace Prize

The authors of the study of the evolutionary function of human facial hair did not expect to receive the Ig Nobel Peace Prize at all. However, they were still happy with such an assessment of their scientific achievements.

The logic behind this study was that facial hair (particularly beards and mustaches) is the most prominent male secondary sex characteristic. In this regard, it is possible that the beard also plays some implicit role in sexual selection.

What phenomenon in society can be singled out as a result of typical male competitive behavior? Of course, interpersonal violence.

The authors of the work suggested that the hair on the face of men act as an airbag during impacts. So the lion’s mane protects the animal from wounds on the neck during fights with other males.

This hypothesis is also in good agreement with the observation that of all facial bones, it is the lower jaw that is most often broken in fights. As you know, a beard in men grows on it.

During the experiment, fortunately, not a single bearded man was harmed. Scientists measured the strength and degree of absorption of the energy of impacts on inanimate objects.

Epoxy composite served as an imitation of a human bone, and sheepskins performed the function of a beard.

“Shaved chins” were also tested for strength: for this, the composite material was covered with a shaved sheepskin.

As a result, the researchers calculated that “bearded jaws” withstood 16% more impact force than “clean-shaven ones”. Also, the “beard” absorbed as much as 37% more impact energy than hairless skin.

Thus, this experiment supports the hypothesis of the authors of the recognized work. By the way, it was published in 2020 in the scientific journal Integrative Organismal Biology.

Dense facial hair can be useful in combat.

Photo by Gioele Fazzeri/Unsplash.

Physics and Kinetics

The Ig Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to scientists who experimentally found out why pedestrians do not constantly collide with each other.

The same theme is developed by the Ig Nobel Prize winners in kinetics, who found out why pedestrians do sometimes collide.

Both research groups considered a crowd of pedestrians as a complex self-organizing structure, the movement algorithms of which are quite difficult, although possible, to reproduce using a mathematical model.

The authors of the first work conclude that each participant in the movement is constantly adapting the trajectory of his movement, maintaining a comfortable distance from other participants in order to avoid a collision.

Complementing this finding, the authors of the second study report that pedestrians who are distracted from constantly “correcting course” while moving are more likely to make mistakes and cause “mess on the road.”

Entomology

Schnobel in entomology was awarded to US scientists who developed a new method of destroying cockroaches on submarines.

This work has been waiting for its high point since its publication back in 1971 in the Journal of Economic Entomology.

The problem is this: the internal compartments of a submarine are quite difficult to properly ventilate, and therefore it is necessary to spray poisonous aerosols into them with extreme caution.

The authors of this paper calculated the required concentration of dichlorvos and a pesticide called propoxur per square meter of the submarine. No matter how you look at it, the study is extremely useful.

Transportation

The Ig Nobel Prize for Transport was awarded to researchers who found that it is safe to transport rhinos upside down on airplanes.

Black rhinos (species Diceros bicornis ) are a small species of African rhinos. Their population remains stable only in protected reserves in several countries in southern and eastern Africa.

As a result, national park workers are often faced with the need to transport massive specimens of this rare species by air.

To do this, the animal is usually immobilized with anesthesia or tranquilizers and either suspended in the cockpit by the legs or transported on its side.