CAUSES SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF URINARY TRACK INFECTION
Urinary tract infections are caused when microbes manage to get past the body’s natural defenses.
The vast majority of UTI cases are caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), usually found in the digestive system. Chlamydia and My coplasma bacteria can infect the urethra but not the bladder.
People of any age and sex can develop a UTI; however, some people are more at risk than others.
The following factors can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI
Sexual intercourse (especially if more frequent, intense and with multiple or new partners)
Diabetes
Poor personal hygiene
Problems emptying the bladder completely
Having a urinary catheter
Bowel incontinence
Blocked flow of urine
Kidney stones
Some forms of contraception
Pregnancy
Menopause
Procedures involving the urinary tract
Suppressed immune system
Immobility for a long period
Use of spermicides and tampons
Heavy use of antibiotics (which can disrupt the natural flora of the bowel and urinary tract).
Symptoms of urinary tract infections
Common symptoms of urinary tract infection include:
Strong and frequent urge to urinate
Cloudy, bloody or strong smelling urine
Pain or burning sensation when urinating
Muscle aches and abdominal pains.
People with catheters may only experience fever as a symptom, making diagnosis problematic. Acute pyelonephritis
If a person has a kidney infection, they could also experience upper
back and side pain, high fever, shaking, chills, fatigue and mental
changes.
Cystitis
If a person has a bladder infection, they could also experience low
fever, and pressure and cramping in the abdomen and lower back.
Quick notes on Estrogen
“Estrogen play a major role on the lower urinary tract physiology and physio pathology both on the urethra and the bladder.”6
“Estrogen deficit in postmenopausal women causes urogenital
atrophy, which is responsible for a wide range of urinary disorders
(urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, recurrent urinary infections)
and genital disorders (prolapse, disparagement, vaginal dryness). The
efficacy of estrogen therapy on urinary incontinence is not yet
demonstrated, but it is widely recognized that the topical use of
estrogen lowers the risk of recurrent urinary infections and improves
urogenital atrophy.” 7
Hopefully now you will have some good information to go and talk to your doctor about the next time you visit for chronic UTIs.
Tests and diagnosis
Diagnosis will usually be made by a health care provider after asking
about the symptoms and testing a urine sample to assess the presence of
white blood cells, red blood cells and bacteria.
A method of collecting
urine called “clear catch” is used, which is where a person first
washes their genital area before collecting a urine sample mid-flow.
This helps to prevent bacteria from around the genital area getting
caught in the sample.
If a person has recurrent UTIs, the health care provider may request
further diagnostic testing to determine if anatomical issues or
functional issues are to blame. Such tests may include:
Diagnostic imaging: assessing the urinary tract using ultrasound, CT scanning, MRI scanning, radiation tracking or X-rays
Aerodynamics: a procedure that determines how well the urinary tract is storing and releasing urine Cystoscopy: looking inside the bladder and urethra with a camera lens inserted via the urethra through a long thin tube.
TREATMENT OF UTI
Treatment of urinary tract infections
As urinary tract infections are normally caused by bacteria, they are
most commonly treated with antibiotics or antimicrobial. The type of
medication and length of treatment will depend on the patient’s symptoms
and history.
Drinking plenty of water is advisable both for people with urinary tract infections and for lowering the risk of future infection.
The full course of treatment should always be completed for UTIs, in
order to ensure that the infection is fully clear, and to reduce the
risk of antibiotic resistance. UTI symptoms can disappear before the infection has completely gone.
Drinking lots of fluids, and frequently urinating are always
recommended for people who have UTIs as this helps to flush out the
bacteria. A variety of pain relief medications may be prescribed to
alleviate pain. Applying a heating pad to the back or abdomen can also
help.
An uncomplicated UTI is one that occurs in an otherwise healthy
person with a normal clear urinary tract. These can usually be cured
with 2-3 days of treatment.
A complicated UTI is one that occurs in a person who is weakened by another condition,
such as pregnancy or heart transplant, who is pregnant, or who has a
urinary tract which is compromised either structurally or functionally,
such as with an obstructive kidney stone or enlargement of the prostate.
Complicated UTIs tend to require longer periods of antibiotics, usually between 7-14 days.
To cure a UTI that is caused by problems within the urinary system,
the underlying problem needs to be found and corrected. If left
untreated, these infections can lead to kidney damage.
If the patient is seriously ill, they may need to be admitted to the
hospital to ensure that they take in sufficient fluids and receive the
right medication. Patients may also need to go to the hospital if they:
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