Urinary tract infection
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men are. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.
Doctors typically treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. But you can take steps to reduce your chances of getting a UTI in the first place.
Symptoms of UTIs Some of the symptoms 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
Causes of UTIs 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 for developing UTIs
Some people are at greater risk than others of developing UTIs. These include:
- women – sexually active women are vulnerable, in part because the urethra is only 4 cm long and bacteria have only this short distance to travel from the outside to the inside of the bladder
- people with urinary catheters – such as the critically ill, who can’t empty their own bladder
- people with diabetes – changes to the immune system make a person with diabetes more vulnerable to infection
- men with prostate problems – such as an enlarged prostate gland that can cause the bladder to only partially empty
- babies – especially those born with physical problems (congenital abnormalities) of the urinary system.
Prevention of UTIs
Although not always backed up by clinical research, some women have found some suggestions useful in reducing their risk of developing urinary tract infections, including:
- Drink plenty of water and other fluids to flush the urinary system.
- Treat vaginal infections such as thrush or Trichomonas quickly.
- Avoid using spermicide-containing products, particularly with a diaphragm contraceptive device.
- Practice good hygiene.
- Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge to urinate, rather than holding on.
- Wipe yourself from front to back (urethra to anus) after going to the toilet.
- Empty your bladder after sex.
Cranberries (usually as cranberry juice) have been used to prevent UTIs. Cranberries contain a substance that can prevent the E. coli bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract lining cells. However, recent research has shown that cranberry juice does not have a significant benefit in preventing UTIs, and most people are unable to continue drinking the juice on a long-term basis.
Let your doctor know if you are having cranberry juice as it can alter the effectiveness of some antibiotics.
When to see a doctor Contact your doctor if you have signs and symptoms of a UTI.
When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection 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 your urinary tract to your kidneys.News
