One of the challenges of COVID closures is the impact to those who have any sort of GI issues.
In the past, most restaurants, and drug stores had public washrooms, that though they might be signed as only for customers, were open for those with health concerns.
I could run into a restaurant and say, "can I please use your washroom" with a pained look, and, if hesitation "I've had cancer treatments" and they quickly showed me where. Tim Horton's, McDonalds, etc.
Staples, Shoppers Drug Mart, most grocery stores and many other locations had washrooms open to the public.
Enter COVID and places closed themselves to public with pickup only. Since reopening, some have not reopened their washrooms.
One of the consequences of radiation that I have experienced is bowel incontinence. It results in what I refer to as "bad GI days" -- the aches in my back are a fair warning.
Other times, I don't get the warning, and my body will say "hey, you're going to have to have a BM" and I know that i have not long to get to a washroom.
(Recently, I have discovered some of the root causes and corrections for that situation from a pelvic physiotherapist; however, that is a different post)
Now, what does that all have to do with UTI's?
If my body sends the "hey, you might need to go to the washroom" message -- I quickly try to find a washroom. During COVID this was near to impossible. My friends in the one city, would open the door for a panic call -- can I use your washroom? Now, I can generally, if in the city get to a washroom -- Shout Out to Giant Tiger for their service in this regard.
I shop in 2 different cities, and both have a country drive to get to: one is 20 min, the other is 10. If it happens when I am part way home, I sometimes get the inner message "you need to go NOW". I have pulled off to the side of the road, in the country, when possible, but, not an easy or pleasant situation.
Although I did a good job of paying attention, and cleaning, etc, as a female, it did sometimes trigger a UTI. Bacteria that enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract are the usual cause of UTIs. Bacteria that normally live in the large intestine and are present in feces (stool) are the most common source of infection.
Thankfully, these events are rare now. I have learned to know the symptoms of when it might happen. I have found locations. The public washrooms are back in play.
But.... if you work in a public place, and someone asks for a washroom, help them to get there quickly.
Radiation does damage.
(I have also, as i noted earlier, found a pelvic physiotherapist who has explained much about pelvic muscles and the current state of mine. There is hope.)
**edit ** added date in title
In the past, most restaurants, and drug stores had public washrooms, that though they might be signed as only for customers, were open for those with health concerns.
I could run into a restaurant and say, "can I please use your washroom" with a pained look, and, if hesitation "I've had cancer treatments" and they quickly showed me where. Tim Horton's, McDonalds, etc.
Staples, Shoppers Drug Mart, most grocery stores and many other locations had washrooms open to the public.
Enter COVID and places closed themselves to public with pickup only. Since reopening, some have not reopened their washrooms.
One of the consequences of radiation that I have experienced is bowel incontinence. It results in what I refer to as "bad GI days" -- the aches in my back are a fair warning.
Other times, I don't get the warning, and my body will say "hey, you're going to have to have a BM" and I know that i have not long to get to a washroom.
(Recently, I have discovered some of the root causes and corrections for that situation from a pelvic physiotherapist; however, that is a different post)
Now, what does that all have to do with UTI's?
If my body sends the "hey, you might need to go to the washroom" message -- I quickly try to find a washroom. During COVID this was near to impossible. My friends in the one city, would open the door for a panic call -- can I use your washroom? Now, I can generally, if in the city get to a washroom -- Shout Out to Giant Tiger for their service in this regard.
I shop in 2 different cities, and both have a country drive to get to: one is 20 min, the other is 10. If it happens when I am part way home, I sometimes get the inner message "you need to go NOW". I have pulled off to the side of the road, in the country, when possible, but, not an easy or pleasant situation.
On a few occasions, in tears, I will have to let my bowels evacuate. Like a child, sitting in a dirty diaper, I will finish the drive home. If not close to home, I would always have a change of clothes in my car. Once the accident occurred, I would do my best to clean; however, in some cases the damage was done.
Although I did a good job of paying attention, and cleaning, etc, as a female, it did sometimes trigger a UTI. Bacteria that enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract are the usual cause of UTIs. Bacteria that normally live in the large intestine and are present in feces (stool) are the most common source of infection.
Thankfully, these events are rare now. I have learned to know the symptoms of when it might happen. I have found locations. The public washrooms are back in play.
But.... if you work in a public place, and someone asks for a washroom, help them to get there quickly.
Radiation does damage.
(I have also, as i noted earlier, found a pelvic physiotherapist who has explained much about pelvic muscles and the current state of mine. There is hope.)
**edit ** added date in title
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