What Is a Urinary
Tract Infection?
About half of women
will get a urinary tract infection or UTI at some point in life. It happens when
germs infect the system that carries urine out of your body -- the kidneys,
bladder, and the tubes that connect them. Bladder infections are common and
usually not serious if treated promptly. But if the infection spreads to the
kidneys, it can cause more serious illness.
UTI Symptoms:
- Bladder Infection
- Kidney Infection
- An untreated bladder infection can spread to the kidneys.
- Pain on either side of the lower back
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain or burning during urination
- The urge to urinate often
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Urine that is cloudy or foul-smelling
- Some people may have no symptoms
When to See Your
Doctor
See your doctor right
away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is
generally not a medical emergency – but some people have a higher risk for
complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as
people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.
UTI(Urinary
Tract Infection) or Something Else?
Although burning
during urination is a telltale sign of a UTI, it can also be a symptom of
certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs.) These include chlamydia,
gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Simple lab tests are available to distinguish a
UTI from an STD.
Honeymoon Cystitis
Few things can ruin a
honeymoon like a UTI. But this is so common, it has its own name – "honeymoon
cystitis." The reason is that sexual activity can push bacteria into the
urethra. Of course, the problem is not confined to honeymoons. Some women get a
bladder infection almost every time they have sex. Women who use a diaphragm for
birth control are especially vulnerable.
Stealth UTI(Urinary
Tract Infection)
Occasionally, UTIs
occur without the classic symptoms. A person may have no symptoms at all. Yet, a
urine test shows the presence of bacteria. This is known as asymptomatic
bacteriuria. In many cases, no treatment is needed. But pregnant women, some
children, and recipients of kidney transplants should be treated to avoid a
kidney infection.
UTI(Urinary
Tract Infection) Complications
The main danger
associated with untreated UTIs is that the infection may spread from the bladder
to one or both kidneys. When bacteria attack the kidneys, they can cause damage
that will permanently reduce kidney function. In people who already have kidney
problems, this can raise the risk of kidney failure. There's also a small chance
that the infection may enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs.
How Do UTIs Begin?
Many types of bacteria
live in the intestines and the genital area, but this is not true of the urinary
system. In fact, urine is sterile. So when errant bacteria, such as the E. coli
shown here, is accidentally introduced into the urinary system, it can start a
UTI. Typically, bacteria travel up the urethra to the bladder, where an
infection can take hold. Women are more susceptible than men, probably because
they have shorter urethras.
What Boosts Your Risk?
UTIs are most common
in sexually active women. Other factors that may increase your risk include:
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Taking frequent baths
- Holding your urine
- Kidney stones
Urinary Tract
Infections in Men
Men are much less
likely than women to get UTIs. When it does happen, it's often related to
another underlying medical condition, such as a kidney stone or an enlarged
prostate.
Diagnosing UTIs
The first step in
diagnosing a UTI is usually a simple urine test called a urinalysis. It looks
for bacteria, as well as abnormal counts of white and red blood cells. The
dipstick test provides quick results. Your doctor may also send your urine to a
lab for culture to confirm the type of bacteria. At-home test kits can help
detect a UTI, but are not 100% accurate. Be sure to go over the results and your
symptoms with your doctor.
Treating UTIs
Prescription
antibiotics will almost always cure a UTI. Your health care provider may
recommend drinking lots of fluids and emptying your bladder frequently to help
flush out the bacteria. Kidney infections can often be treated with oral
antibiotics, too. But severe kidney infections may require hospital care,
including a course of intravenous antibiotics.
Treating Recurrent
UTIs
Some women are prone
to getting UTIs over and over again. If you have three or more a year, talk to
your doctor about how to prevent or minimize these infections. Your options may
include:
- Taking a low dose of antibiotics long-term
- Taking a single antibiotic dose after sex
- Taking antibiotics promptly as self-treatment when symptoms appear
UTIs and Diabetes
People with diabetes
are more vulnerable to UTIs for several reasons. First, their immune systems
tend to be weaker. Second, high blood sugar can spill into the urine and
encourage the growth of bacteria. Also, nerve damage related to diabetes can
prevent the bladder from fully emptying. People with diabetes should talk with
their doctor at the first sign of a UTI.
UTIs and Pregnancy
During pregnancy,
there are several factors that boost the risk of UTIs, especially a kidney
infection. Hormones cause changes in the urinary tract, and the uterus may put
pressure on the ureters or bladder or both -- making it more difficult for urine
to pass from the kidneys to the bladder and out. Untreated UTIs can contribute
to preterm labor, so be sure to alert your doctor if you suspect you have an
infection.
UTIs and Menopause
Estrogen has a
protective effect in the urinary tract, but levels of this hormone drop off
significantly during menopause. Low estrogen levels can make it easier for
bacteria to thrive in the vagina or urethra. For this reason, women may be more
susceptible to UTIs after menopause.
UTIs and Hospital
Stays
A hospital stay can
put you at risk for a UTI, particularly if you need to use a catheter. This is a
thin tube that's inserted through the urethra to carry urine out of the body.
Bacteria can enter through the catheter and reach the bladder. This is more
often a problem for older adults who require prolonged hospital stays or who
live in long-term care facilities.
UTIs in the Elderly
UTIs are among the
most common infections in the elderly. But the symptoms may not follow the
classic pattern. Agitation, delirium, or other behavioral changes may be the
only sign of a UTI in elderly men and women. This age group is also more likely
to develop serious complications as a result of UTIs.
UTIs in Infants
Babies occasionally
develop UTIs, but they can't tell you what they feel. Here are some signs to
watch for:
- An unexplained fever
- Strange-smelling urine
- Poor appetite or vomiting
- Fussy behavior
It's vital to treat a
baby's UTI quickly to prevent kidney damage. Promptly changing a dirty diaper
can help prevent bladder infections. And of course, wipe from front to back
whenever changing a baby's diaper.
UTIs in Children
About 1% of boys and
3% of girls develop UTIs by age 11. This includes some children who repeatedly
delay a bathroom trip. Their muscles may not relax enough later to fully empty
the bladder and flush away any bacteria. More regular bathroom trips and
drinking plenty of liquids may help. A small number of children have a
structural problem that obstructs urine flow or lets urine flow back from the
bladder to the kidneys, triggering chronic kidney infections. This can lead to
kidney damage.
UTI(Urinary
Tract Infection) or Potty Training
Problem?
Accidents are par for
the course during toilet training. Even kids who have mastered the art of the
potty may sometimes have a relapse. Other children may scream or cry when taken
to the potty, as a way of rebelling against the process. These are generally not
signs of a UTI.
Preventing UTIs
Here are several
strategies to reduce your risk of UTIs:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Visit the toilet before and after sex.
- Wipe from front to back.
- Avoid feminine hygiene sprays.
- Take showers instead of baths.
The Cranberry
Connection
Maybe Mom told you
that cranberry juice cures a UTI. She's close. Some studies suggest it can
prevent, but not treat an infection, and is more effective in young and
middle-aged women. Cranberries contain a substance that prevents E. coli
bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. If you don't like the taste
of cranberry juice, capsules or tablets may work, too. People with a history of
kidney stones should check with a doctor, first.
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