[unable to retrieve full-text content]It’s been almost fifty years since Karen Elisa Grammer, the sister of actor Kelsey Grammer, was raped and murdered here in Colorado Springs. At the time, Karen…

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. While modern medicine offers effective treatments, UTIs have a long and fascinating history, with ancient cultures developing their own strategies for prevention and relief. Today, understanding the causes, symptoms, and prevention of UTIs is essential for maintaining urinary health and avoiding complications. What Is a Urinary Tract Infection? A urinary tract infection is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The most common type is a bladder infection, also known as cystitis. More serious cases can involve the kidneys, a condition called pyelonephritis. UTIs are typically caused by bacteria, with Escherichia coli (E. coli) accounting for more than 90% of cases. These bacteria usually originate from the intestines and can enter the urinary tract through the urethra, leading to infection and inflammation. Recognizing the Symptoms UTIs often present with a range of uncomfortable symptoms. The most common include a frequent urge to urinate, pain or burning during urination, pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen, and cloudy or bloody urine. Infections that reach the kidneys can cause fever, chills, back pain, nausea, and vomiting. While these symptoms are common in adults, young children and older adults may have more subtle or atypical presentations, such as fever alone or confusion. Who Is at Risk? Anyone can develop a UTI, but certain groups are at higher risk. Women are particularly susceptible due to their shorter urethras and proximity to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. Other risk factors include a history of previous UTIs, recent sexual activity, changes in vaginal flora (such as during menopause or with the use of spermicides), pregnancy, older age, and structural abnormalities in the urinary tract. Poor hygiene practices, particularly in children learning to use the toilet, can also increase the risk. The Ancient Quest for Relief Before the advent of antibiotics, ancient civilizations developed their own methods for managing urinary symptoms. In ancient Egypt, texts like the Ebers Papyrus described herbal remedies such as myrrh and frankincense. Greek and Roman physicians believed that UTIs were caused by imbalances in the body’s humors and recommended dietary changes, rest, and narcotics for relief. Herbal infusions and increased fluid intake were common approaches, with the goal of flushing out the urinary system and soothing discomfort. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offered a holistic perspective, viewing UTIs as a result of “damp heat” in the bladder and kidneys. TCM practitioners prescribed herbal formulas like Huang Lian Jie Du Tang, recommended avoiding spicy or greasy foods, and encouraged the consumption of cooling foods and increased water intake. Acupuncture and lifestyle adjustments, including stress reduction and adequate sleep, were also part of the regimen. Across cultures, the emphasis was on bland, non-irritating diets, herbal remedies, and hydration. While these methods could sometimes provide symptom relief, they lacked the ability to directly target bacterial infections, which is why UTIs could become serious or even life-threatening before modern treatments became available. The Modern Approach: Diagnosis and Treatment Today, diagnosing a UTI involves a combination of symptom assessment, physical examination, and urine testing. Once confirmed, antibiotics are the primary treatment and are highly effective in clearing most infections. The specific antibiotic prescribed depends on the patient’s health and the type of bacteria identified. It’s crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics to ensure the infection is fully eradicated and to help prevent antibiotic resistance. While antibiotics are effective, they can cause side effects such as rash, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and yeast infections. In rare cases, more serious complications like C. diff infection may occur. For this reason, it’s important to use antibiotics only when prescribed and to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions closely. Prevention: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science D-mannose, a natural sugar, may also help prevent recurrent infections by blocking bacterial attachment. Preventing UTIs involves a blend of time-tested habits and evidence-based strategies. Drinking plenty of water helps dilute urine and flush out bacteria. Urinating after sexual activity can reduce the risk of bacterial transfer. Proper hygiene, such as wiping from front to back and avoiding scented soaps or douches, helps maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the genital area. Dietary choices continue to play a role. While ancient advice focused on bland diets and avoiding irritants, modern research supports the use of certain foods and supplements. Cranberry products contain compounds that may prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract lining. Probiotics, particularly those containing Lactobacillus strains, can support urinary and vaginal health. D-mannose, a natural sugar, may also help prevent recurrent infections by blocking bacterial attachment. Traditional herbal remedies, such as uva ursi (bearberry), garlic, and dandelion tea, are still used in some cultures, though scientific evidence for their effectiveness varies. It’s important to consult a healthcare provider before using herbal treatments, especially for individuals with underlying health conditions or those taking other medications. When to Get Help UTIs are common and often easily treated, but they can lead to serious complications if left untreated. If you experience symptoms such as pain or burning during urination, frequent urges to urinate, blood in the urine, or lower back pain, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or confusion, as these may indicate a kidney infection or a more severe illness. The Path Forward Urinary tract infections are a part of human history, and our understanding of their causes and treatment has evolved dramatically over time. From ancient herbal remedies and dietary advice to the powerful antibiotics of today, the goal has always been the same: to relieve discomfort, prevent complications, and restore health. By combining the best of ancient wisdom and modern science, we can reduce the risk of UTIs and ensure prompt, effective treatment when they occur. As research continues, new strategies for prevention and treatment may emerge, offering hope for those who struggle with recurrent infections. For now, staying informed, practicing good hygiene, making thoughtful dietary choices, and seeking timely medical care remain the cornerstones of urinary tract health.

Are you ready to pay 80 percent more for a USB-C cord?  Unfortunately, Walmart, Target and other major retailers have decided to start dramatically raising the prices of thousands of imported products.  Of course our paychecks are not going up dramatically as well, and so our standard of living is going to go down. We live at a time when 70 percent of Americans are already more financially stressed than they have ever been before, and now big corporations are going to be hitting us with a tsunami of enormous price hikes. If prices of many imported goods go up by 5 or 10 percent, we can handle that. But apparently Target is going nuts with their price hikes.  For example, it is being reported that the price of one popular USB-C cord is being increased by 80 percent… Now, thanks to insider information from Target workers, the extent of the raises are becoming apparent. Staff say it is just the beginning. A $9.99 USB-C cord from the store’s in-house Heyday brand is now ringing up at $17.99, according to a self-identified employee on Reddit. ‘It’s happening,’ the worker wrote, sharing a photo of the price tag update. ‘All of Heyday is going up.’ Seriously? Did Target really need to do this? And Target CEO Brian Cornell has also warned that prices will be going up on many common grocery items… The company’s CEO, Brian Cornell, started warning customers during a March earnings call, when the US was staring down potential 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian products. At the time, he warned that everyday grocery items that frequently cross borders before making their way to Target’s aisles — like strawberries, avocados, bananas, and coffee beans — were set to increase. Of course Target is not the only major retailer that is raising prices. Last week, Walmart CFO John David Rainey told CNBC that customers should expect price increases “towards the tail end of this month, and then certainly much more in June”… In an interview with CNBC, Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey said tariffs are “still too high” – even with the recently announced agreement to lower duties on imports from China to 30% for 90 days. “We’re wired for everyday low prices, but the magnitude of these increases is more than any retailer can absorb,” he said. “It’s more than any supplier can absorb. And so I’m concerned that consumer is going to start seeing higher prices. You’ll begin to see that, likely towards the tail end of this month, and then certainly much more in June.” When President Trump heard about this, he went ballistic. On his Truth Social account, he insisted that Walmart should “EAT THE TARIFFS”… After Walmart last week said it would have to jack up some prices because of high costs of the global trade war, Trump on Saturday responded forcefully in a Truth Social post, demanding Walmart reverse its decision. “Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump said. “Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, “EAT THE TARIFFS,” and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!” Trump believes that Walmart should be able to absorb the tariffs since the company is making so much money.  But it has also been pointed out that Walmart’s margins are very thin… “Walmart made “BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year, far more than expected,” Trump posted on social media on Saturday. That’s accurate — Walmart is America’s biggest retailer and had a strong 2024 on the back of inflation-weary customers seeking out its notoriously low prices. But Walmart’s profit is a function of its massive scale, rather than artificially high prices. As a percentage of sales, Walmart’s operating income last quarter was just a little over 4%. Its net profit margin was less than 3% — razor-thin by business standards. When I visited a local Walmart recently, I was stunned by how much prices had changed. And if Walmart CFO John David Rainey is telling the truth, the price increases that we have seen so far are just the beginning. Sadly, the truth is that prices are rising to absurd levels just about everywhere. One father in Florida recently made headlines all over the world when he revealed that he spent $1,400 to take his family of four to Disney World for a single day… A Florida father-of-three was utterly disgusted at the $1,400 he had to pay to take his family of four on a ‘bargain’ day out to Walt Disney World. Craig Stowell took his three kids and his wife to the self-proclaimed ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ in Orlando while family was in town visiting them, but he quickly found out just how deep the one-day trip was going to hit his pocket. ‘It started with the ticket purchase, and then it ran right into the parking, and then it just was like a cash cow for the rest of the day,’ the small business owner told Fox and Friends. I remember my parents taking me to Disney World when I was a child. But these days only the wealthy can afford to take their kids to our ridiculously overpriced theme parks. Most of the country is just trying to find a way to scrape by financially from month to month.  Consumer sentiment just fell to the second lowest level ever recorded, and the rising cost of living was the biggest reason for the drop… U.S. consumers are becoming increasingly worried that tariffs will lead to higher inflation, according to a University of Michigan survey released Friday. The index of consumer sentiment dropped to 50.8, down from 52.2 in April, in the preliminary reading for May. That is the second-lowest reading on record, behind June 2022. The outlook for price changes also moved in the wrong direction. Year-ahead inflation expectations rose to 7.3% from 6.5% last month, while long-term inflation expectations ticked up to 4.6% from 4.4%. After four years of steadily rising prices, we really are facing a historic economic crisis. Unfortunately, it appears that prices are just going to keep going even higher. I wish that I could tell you that there is an easy way out of this mess, but I cannot do that. We are all just going to have to find ways to tighten our belts even more, because the purchasing power of our dollars is just going to continue to go down. Michael’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com, and you can subscribe to his Substack newsletter at michaeltsnyder.substack.com. About the Author: Michael Snyder’s new book entitled “10 Prophetic Events That Are Coming Next” is available in paperback and for the Kindle on Amazon.com.  He has also written nine other books that are available on Amazon.com including “Chaos”, “End Times”, “7 Year Apocalypse”, “Lost Prophecies Of The Future Of America”, “The Beginning Of The End”, and “Living A Life That Really Matters”.  When you purchase any of Michael’s books you help to support the work that he is doing.  You can also get his articles by email as soon as he publishes them by subscribing to his Substack newsletter.  Michael has published thousands of articles on The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and he always freely and happily allows others to republish those articles on their own websites.  These are such troubled times, and people need hope.  John 3:16 tells us about the hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  If you have not already done so, we strongly urge you to invite Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior today. The post Walmart And Target Are Really Jacking Up Their Prices appeared first on The Economic Collapse.

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