Description

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes 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 urinary tract infection than men are. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But the serious health problems that can result from a urinary tract infection spreads to your kidneys.

Health care providers often the treatment of urinary tract infections with antibiotics. You can also take steps to decrease your chance of getting a urinary tract infection in the first place.

Symptoms

UTI's do not always cause symptoms. When they do, they can include:

  • A strong desire to urinate that does not go away
  • A burning sensation when urinating
  • Urinate frequently, and pass small amounts of urine
  • Cloudy urine
  • Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored — signs 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

In older adults, UTI's can be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.

Types of urinary tract infections

Each type of uti may result in more specific symptoms. The symptoms depend on which part of the urinary tract is affected.

  • Back or side pain
  • High fever
  • Tremors and chills
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Pressure in the pelvis
  • Lower part of the abdomen, discomfort
  • Frequent, painful urination.
  • Blood in the urine
  • Burning with urination
  • Download

When to see a doctor

Contact your health care provider if you have symptoms of a urinary tract infection .

Causes

STU s typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread into the bladder. The urinary system is designed to keep the bacteria. But the defenses, sometimes not. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a true infection in the urinary tract.

The most common urinary tract infection s are produced mainly in women and affect the bladder and the urethra.

  • Infection of the bladder.This type of ofUTIis usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli).E. coliis a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. But sometimes, other bacteria are the cause. Having sex can also lead to an infection of the bladder, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop one. All women are at risk of infections of the bladder due to their anatomy. In women, the urethra is located near the anus. And the opening of the urethra is close to the bladder. This makes it easier for the bacteria around the anus to enter the urethra and travel to the bladder.
  • Infection of the urethra. This type of uti can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. An infection of the urethra can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections. They include herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma. This can happen because the women's urethras are close to the vagina.

Infection of the bladder. This type of urinary tract infection is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. But sometimes, other bacteria are the cause.

Having sex can also lead to an infection of the bladder, but you don't have to be sexually active to develop one. All women are at risk of infections of the bladder due to their anatomy. In women, the urethra is located near the anus. And the opening of the urethra is close to the bladder. This makes it easier for the bacteria around the anus to enter the urethra and travel to the bladder.

Risk factors

UTI's are common in women. Many women experience more than one UTI during their lifetime.

The risk factors for urinary tract infection s that are specific to women include:

  • Female anatomy. The female urethra is shorter than men. As a result, there is less distance for bacteria to travel to reach the bladder.
  • The Sexual activity. To be sexually active tend to lead to more UTI s. Have a new sexual partner also increases the risk.
  • Certain types of birth control. The use of a diaphragm for birth control may increase the risk of urinary tract infection s. The use of spermicidal agents may also increase the risk.
  • Menopause. After menopause, a decline in circulating estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract. The changes may increase the risk of urinary tract infection s.

Other risk factors for urinary tract infection s include:

  • Problems in the urinary tract. Babies are born with problems of the urinary tract may have trouble urinating. The urine can be backup in the urethra, which can cause urinary tract infection s.
  • Obstructions in the urinary tract. Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can hold urine in the bladder. As a result, the risk of urinary tract infection s is greater.
  • A weakened immune system. Diabetes and other diseases that can impair the immune system — the body's defense against germs. This can increase the risk of urinary tract infection s.
  • The use of the probe. People who can't urinate on your own frequency, you must use a tube, called a catheter to urinate. The use of a catheter increases the risk of urinary tract infection s. catheters can be used by people who are in the hospital. They can also be used by people who have neurological problems that make it difficult to control urination or who are paralyzed.
  • A recent urinary procedure. Urinary surgery or an exam of your urinary tract that involves medical instruments can increase the risk of developing a urinary tract infection .

Complications

When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But is left without treatment, the urinary tract infection s can cause serious health problems.

The complications of a urinary tract infection may include:

  • Repeated infections, which means that they have two or more UTI's within six months or three or more in a year. Women are especially prone to repeated infections.
  • Permanent kidney damage of a kidney infection due to treat the urinary tract infection .
  • Delivering a low-birth-weight or premature infants when a urinary tract infection occurs during pregnancy.
  • A narrowing of the urethra in men have repeated infections of the urethra.
  • Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. This is a risk, especially if the infection reaches the urinary tract to the kidneys.

Prevention

These steps can help reduce the risk of urinary tract infection s:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drinking water helps to dilute the urine. That leads to urinate more frequently— allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
  • Try the cranberry juice. The studies that investigate if the cranberry juice prevents urinary tract infection s are not final. However, drinking cranberry juice is likely not harmful.
  • Wipe from front to back. Do this after urinating and after a bowel movement. Helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the vagina and the urethra.
  • Empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also drink a full glass of water to help flush out the bacteria.
  • Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. The use of them in the genital area can irritate the urethra. These products include deodorant sprays, douches and powders.
  • To change your method of birth control. The diaphragm, unlubricated condoms, or condoms treated with spermicide may contribute to bacterial growth.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose urinary tract infections include:

  • The analysis of a urine sample. Your health care provider may ask for a urine sample. The urine is looked at in a laboratory to check the white blood cells, red blood cells or bacteria. You can be that first wipe your genital area with an antiseptic pad and to collect the urine midstream. The process helps to prevent the sample from contamination.
  • Growing urinary tract bacteria in a lab. Laboratory analysis of the urine is sometimes followed by a urine culture. This test tells your doctor what bacteria are causing the infection. You can tell your provider what medicines more effective.
  • The creation of images of the urinary tract. Recurrent UTI's can be caused by a structural problem in the urinary tract. Your doctor may order an ultrasound, a ct scan or an mri to look at this problem. A contrast dye may be used to highlight the structures in the urinary tract.
  • The use of a scope into the bladder. If you have recurrent UTI's, your health care provider may perform a cystoscopy. The test involves the use of a long, thin tube with a lens, called a cystoscope to look inside the urethra and bladder. The cystoscope is inserted into the urethra and passed through the bladder.

Treatment

Antibiotics are usually the first treatment for urinary tract infections. Your health and the type of bacteria found in the urine to determine which drug is used and how long you need to take.

Simple infection

Medications commonly used for the simple UTI's include:

  • Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
  • Fosfomycin (Monurol)
  • Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, Furadantin)
  • Cephalexin
  • Ceftriaxone

The group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones is not commonly recommended for simple UTIS s. These medicines include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin, and others. The risks of these drugs generally outweigh the benefits for the treatment of urinary tract infection uncomplicated s.

In the case of a complicated uti or kidney infection, your doctor may prescribe a fluoroquinolone medicine if there are no other treatment options.

Often, the symptoms of urinary tract infection clear up within a couple of days of starting the treatment. But you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. Take all medications as prescribed.

For a simple urinary tract infection that occurs when we are healthy, your health care provider may recommend a shorter course of treatment. That may mean taking an antibiotic for 1 to 3 days. If a short course of treatment is enough to treat your infection depends on your symptoms and medical history.

Your health care provider may also give you a pain reliever to take that can relieve the burning sensation when you urinate. But the pain usually goes away shortly after starting an antibiotic.

Frequent infections

If you have frequent uti's, your health care provider may recommend:

  • Low doses of antibiotics. You can take it for six months or more.
  • The diagnosis and treatment of yourself when symptoms occur. You'll also be asked to stay in contact with your provider.
  • Taking a single dose of antibiotic after sexual intercourse if STU s are related to sexual activity.
  • Vaginal estrogen therapy if you have reached menopause.

Severe infection

For a severe urinary tract infection , you may need INTRAVENOUS antibiotics in a hospital.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Urinary tract infections can be painful, but you can take steps to relieve the discomfort until antibiotics treat the infection. Follow these tips:

  • Drink lots of water. The water helps to dilute the urine and eliminate the bacteria.
  • Avoid drinks that may irritate the bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol and soft drinks containing citrus juices or caffeine until your infection has cleared. May irritate your bladder and tend to increase the need to urinate.
  • Use a heating pad. Apply a warm, but not hot, heating pad to the abdomen to help with bladder pressure or discomfort.

Alternative medicine

Many people drink cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infection s. There is some indication that the products of cranberry, either in juice or tablet, can have properties to fight infection. Researchers continue to study the possibility of cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infection s, but the results are not the end.

There is a little damage to drink cranberry juice if you feel that will help to prevent the urinary tract infection s, but be careful with the calories. For most people, drinking cranberry juice is safe. However, some people report an upset stomach or diarrhea.

But don't drink cranberry juice if you are taking blood-thinning medications, such as warfarin (Jantovin).

Preparing for your appointment

Your primary care provider, nurse, or other provider of medical care can treat most UTIS s. If you have frequent urinary tract infection s or chronic infection of the kidneys, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in urinary disorders. This type of doctor is called to a urologist. Or you can see a health care provider who specializes in kidney disorders. This type of doctor is called a nephrologist.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment:

  • Ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as to collect a urine sample.
  • Take note of the symptoms, even if you are not sure of which are related to a urinary tract infection .
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you take.
  • Write questions to ask their health care provider.

For a urinary tract infection , basic questions to ask your provider include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • Do I need any tests to confirm the diagnosis?
  • What factors do you think may have contributed to my urinary tract infection ?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • If the first treatment does not work, what would you recommend then?
  • Am I at risk of complications of this condition?
  • What is the risk that this problem is going to come back?
  • What steps can I take to reduce the risk of the infection returning?
  • You should see a specialist?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions as they occur during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will probably ask you several questions, including:

  • When did you first notice your symptoms?
  • Have you ever been treated for a urinary tract infection?
  • How serious is the discomfort?
  • How often do you urinate?
  • Your symptoms are relieved by urinating?
  • Do you have low back pain?
  • Have you had a fever?
  • Have you noticed vaginal discharge, or blood in the urine?
  • Are you sexually active?
  • Does the use of contraception? What kind?
  • Could you be pregnant?
  • Are you being treated for any other medical condition?
  • Have you ever used a catheter?
Symptoms and treatment of Urinary tract infection (UTI)