CEBU, Philippines – A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system - the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract - the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. Infection limited to the bladder can be painful and annoying.However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to the kidneys.
Doctors typically treat UTI with antibiotics. But steps can be taken to reduce the chances of getting the problem in the first place.
Symptoms
Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do the symptoms may include a strong, persistent urge to urinate; a burning sensation when urinating; passing frequent, small amounts of urine; urine that appears cloudy; urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored - a sign of blood in the urine; strong-smelling urine; pelvic pain, in women - especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone. UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
Each type of UTI may result in more-specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected. If in the kidneys (acute pyelonephritis), there is pain in the upper back and side (flank), high fever, shaking and chills, nausea and vomiting. If it's in the bladder (cystitis), pelvic pressure, lower abdomen discomfort, frequent and painful urination, and blood in urine are experienced. If the UTI is in the urethra (urethritis), there are discharges and a burning sensation in urination.
Causes
Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
Risk Factors
Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection during their lifetimes. Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:
. Female anatomy. A woman has a shorter urethra than a man does, which shortens the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
. Sexual activity. Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs than do women who aren't sexually active. Having a new sexual partner also increases the risk.
. Certain types of birth control. Women who use diaphragms for birth control may be at higher risk, as well as women who use spermicidal agents.
. Menopause. After menopause, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract that make women more vulnerable to infection.
Other risk factors include:
. Urinary tract abnormalities. Babies born with urinary tract abnormalities that don't allow urine to leave the body normally or cause urine to back up in the urethra have an increased risk of UTIs.
. Blockages in the urinary tract. Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can trap urine in the bladder and increase the risk of UTIs.
. A suppressed immune system. Diabetes and other diseases that impair the immune system - the body's defense against germs - can increase the risk of UTIs.
. Catheter use. People who can't urinate on their own and use a tube (catheter) to urinate have an increased risk of UTIs. This may include people who are hospitalized, people with neurological problems that make it difficult to control their ability to urinate and people who are paralyzed.
. A recent urinary procedure. Urinary surgery or an exam of your urinary tract that involves medical instruments can both increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection.
Complications
When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, it can have serious consequences.
Complications of a UTI may include:
. Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience three or more UTIs.
. Permanent kidney damage from an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) due to an untreated UTI.
. Increased risk in pregnant women of delivering low birth weight or premature infants.
. Urethral narrowing (stricture) in men from recurrent urethritis, previously seen with gonococcal urethritis.
. Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection works its way up the urinary tract to the kidneys.
Treatments
Antibiotics usually are the first line treatment for urinary tract infections. Which drugs are prescribed and for how long depend on the particular health condition and the type of bacteria found in the urine.
Often, symptoms clear up within a few days of treatment. But the patient may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. The entire course of antibiotics must be taken as prescribed.
The doctor may prescribe pain medication (analgesic) to numb the bladder and urethra to relieve burning while urinating, but pain usually is relieved soon after starting an antibiotic. One common side effect of urinary tract analgesics is discolored urine - orange or red.
Lifestyle and Home remedies
Urinary tract infections can be painful, but you can take steps to ease your discomfort until antibiotics treat the infection. Follow these tips:
. Drink plenty of water. Water helps to dilute your urine and flush out bacteria.
. Avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices or caffeine until your infection has cleared. They can irritate your bladder and tend to aggravate frequent or urgent need to urinate.
. Use a heating pad. Apply a warm, but not hot, heating pad to your abdomen to minimize bladder pressure or discomfort.
Prevention
The following steps can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections:
. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you'll urinate more frequently - allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
. Drink cranberry juice. Doctors often recommend drinking cranberry juice to relieve UTI discomforts. Although studies are not conclusive that cranberry juice prevents UTIs, it has reportedly been helpful.
. Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
. Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
. Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
. Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth. (mayoclinic.org)