Dr Dulcy gives health advice
DON’T IGNORE: IF YOU LEAVE IT UNTREATED, IT CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES
It’s the wisest strategy to reduce your chances of UTIs in the first place.
Aurinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. These infections are most commonly in the bladder and the urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men are. Infection limited to your bladder can be very painful and cause discomfort. 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. 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
Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection works its way up your urinary tract to your kidneys.
CAUSES:
Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. When that happens, bacteria numbers increase and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
Infection of the bladder (cystitis). This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible. Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but you don’t have to be sexually active to develop it.
All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy – specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
Infection of the urethra (urethritis). This type of UTI can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. Also, because the female urethra is close to the vagina, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and mycoplasma, can cause urethritis.
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 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 unprotected sex also increases your 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 oestrogen causes changes in the urinary tract that make you more vulnerable to infection.
Other risk factors for UTIs 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 hospitalised, people with neurological problems that make it difficult to control their ability to urinate and people who are paralysed.
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.
SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS
Signs and symptoms include: A strong, persistent urge to urinate A burning or painful sensation when urinating Passing frequent, small amounts of urine Urine that appears cloudy Urine that appears red, bright pink or very dark – a sign of blood in the urine Strong-smelling urine Pelvic pain, in women
TYPES OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION
Each type of UTI may result in more specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis): upper back and side (flank) pain, High fever, shaking and chills, nausea and vomiting
Bladder (cystitis): Pelvic pressure, Lower abdomen discomfort, Frequent, painful urination and Blood in urine
Urethra (urethritis): Burning with urination and discharge TREATMENT
Antibiotics usually are the first line treatment for urinary tract infections. Which drugs are prescribed and for how long depend on your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine. Often, symptoms clear up within a few days of treatment. But you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. Take the entire course as prescribed.
For an uncomplicated UTI that occurs when you’re otherwise healthy, your doctor may recommend a shorter course of treatment, such as taking an antibiotic for one to three days. But whether this short course of treatment is enough to treat your infection depends on your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also prescribe a pain medication (analgesic) that numbs your 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 discoloured urine – orange or red.
If you have frequent UTIs, your doctor may make certain treatment recommendations, such as:
Low dose antibiotics, initially for six months but sometimes longer
Self-diagnosis and treatment, if you stay in touch with your doctor
A single dose of antibiotic after sexual intercourse if your infections are related to sexual activity
Vaginal oestrogen therapy if you’re postmenopausal
For a severe UTI, you may need treatment with intravenous antibiotics in a hospital.
LIFESTYLE REMEDIES
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 aggravate your frequent 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
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.
Wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after 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.