Urinary Track Infection (UTI): Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Urinary Track Infection (UTI): Urinary track infection are those infections that act as the invaders in human body, sometimes it gets that painful that it affects people not just physically but mentally as well. It’s one the most common infection worldwide such that about 50% of the women suffers from this once in her life span. While 10% in case of men in their life span.

What is Urinary track infection or UTI?

Urinary track infection is an infection that is commonly caused by a bacteria, as it enters into the urinary tract and causes infection but fungi, yeast can also the reason in rare cases. As it infects urinary system, so different organs like urethra, kidney, bladder and ureters can get infected. In case of elderly ladies above 65 year of age rate of catching UTI is approximately 50% more than that of other women.

What are the major types of UTIs?

Majorly 3 types of urinary track infection are there –

Urethritis

It’s a infection in the passing tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder, it’s localized to urethra only. It’s very common and foul smell from urine and pus sort of discharge can be seen in this.

Cystitis

It’s a infection in bladder whose role is to store urine. Mostly in women, as urethra is quite small compared that of man, also bladder is quite near, it’s easy for the bacteria to pass to the bladder and making it common amongst females. Man can also suffer from this but comparatively do have lesser chances than that of females. It’s an infection in bladder that causes inflammation in bladder, recurring and painful urination.

Pyelonephritis

It’s a rare but severe condition in which infection reaches to the kidney and spreads it’s roots over there. Kidney acts a filtering machine in our body that filter out blood and remove waste material. One can have cold, fever, omitting, pain in upper abdomen and nausea while suffering from pyelonephritis.

In case of man prostatitis is also there in which swelling in the prostate gland takes place and this infection causes difficultly in urination, pain the genitals and fever.

What are the general symptoms of UTI?

The general symptoms of urinary track infection can include dysuria(pain in lower abdomen, burning sensation while urination) recurrent urination but in drops, change in colour(can be dark yellow, orange or haematuria (bloodish) ), cloudy appearance and foul smell of urine. Also fever, omitting, shivering and chills can be there. In case of elderly people early symptom can be confusion as well. In young women the risk of getting UTI recurrence in 6 months is much common because of increased sexual activity.

What are the microorganisms responsible for UTI?

The most common cause of UTI is Escherichia coli which is gram negative, anaerobic and rod-shaped bacteria, they are part of lower intestinal microbiome. These E-coli are normally found in faeces and can easily spread to the bladder. Another causes can be either klebsiella pneumoniae, enterococcus faecalis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus saprophyticus and candida albicans (fungus).

What are things in daily life that cause UTI?

If seen from the point of view of day to day life it can be less intake of fluids(like water, juice etc.), frequent use of public toilets, poor hygiene, not realising urine from bladder for long hours, hormonal imbalance, sexual activity, and incontinence. Even excessive use of vaginal cleanliness products, diaphragm and spermicides can cause urinary track infection.

How to diagnose UTI?

In India majorly 2 tests are recommend by doctors after examining the patient based on their condition.

Urine routine test– This test is generally used to check for the type of infection person is infected with by examining urine at the microscopic level.
Urine culture -It’s not necessary to go for urine culture for all but doctors do recommend this to those who requires antibodies for the treatment. This tests helps identifying the antibiotics that responds or is sensitive towards the infection.
CPMRI and Ultrasound- In very rare cases, where the severity is high or symptoms are atypical doctors do recommend these tests before going for further treatment.

One thing to keep in mind while giving urine samples for these tests is that only main stream urine, leaving starting urine aside should be given for lab test. Also the container should not touch any part of the body while collecting the sample.

How to treat and prevent UTI?

Urinary track infections can be treated by contacting the doctor after noticing any of these symptoms, and by taking the antibiotics if prescribed by the doctor. These antibiotics dosage needs to taken completely, leaving it in between increases the chances of recurrent infection. Also, at personal level drinking plenty of water, using hygiene products in market in limited amount(such that don’t affect the natural Ph of vagina), cleaning vaginal region from front to back, maintaing personal hygiene can help in speedy recovery. Doctors also recommend alkaline medicines to reduce the increased acidity caused by the infection.

A note from kamarth

urinary track infections are normal yet painful experience that one might face so it’s better to take precautions like maintaing hygiene, drinking plenty of water and routine check up as these daily life style changes can help a lot to fight against UTIs. Also, visiting doctor at recurrent UTI is as important as for the first time because the course of medicine might need to be changed.

Some Additional Doubts

Question: What happens if a UTI is not treated?
Answer: If urinary track infection is not treated on time it might spread to the kidneys and lead to pyelonephritis, which can be severe and even damage kidney permanently can cause other complications as well.

Question: Are UTIs contagious?
Answer: urinary track infections are basically not contagious with normal contact but can be transmitted from sexual activity through the urinary tract.

Question: Can UTIs can cause fatigue?
Answer: Urinary track infections can be really stressful sometimes especially if it’s case of infection spread till kidney it can make a person feel unwell, feverish and tiresome.

Question: What are the natural remedies that can help in temporary relief?
Answer: Drinking plenty of water, having cranberry juice, and intake of vitamin C may help in flushing out bacteria and prevent their growth.

Question: Can UTI can go away on it’s own?
Answer: In some mild cases it might go away on it’s own but negligence might lead the infection to grow so it’s always recommend to consult a doctor. And routine tests are also recommend.

Reference Links:-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502976
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9135-urinary-tract-infections#:~:text=A%20urinary%20tract%20infection%20is,your%20side%20or%20lower%20back
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447
https://www.webmd.com/women/your-guide-urinary-tract-infections
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/kidneys-bladder-and-prostate/urinary-tract-infection-uti
https://www.healthline.com/health/urinary-tract-infection-adults
https://www.ajkd.org/article/S0272-6386(23)00837-5/fulltext
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189953

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