It appears that urinary tract infections are more common than many of us think. According to the CDC, they are the fifth most common type of infection in the United States. Such health issues are more common among women than men. The prevalence of the disease is 23.3% for women and 6.8% for men, which means women are four times more likely to get this medical condition.
The Urology Care Foundation claims 10 out of 25 women will develop this condition at some point in their lives. This is primarily related to the differences in urinary tract structure between men and women, though there are a range of other factors contributing to this state of affairs. Anyway, we’ll talk about them a bit later. Now, let’s clarify the anatomy and function of the urinary tract.
Anatomy of the Urinary System
The anatomy of the urinary system in both sexes is similar. It consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. However, there are some essential dissimilarities in the length of the latter, which significantly affect the incidence of the infection in male and female individuals.
Urinary System’s Function
While all the organs work in synergy to keep you healthy, they have different functions:
- The kidneys are one of the few paired organs that we have in our body. Their task is to filter out the waste from the blood and turn it into urine.
- Ureters take urine from the kidneys to the bladder, so they work as transporters.
- The bladder is essentially a reservoir for urine. Once it fills with a certain amount of it, the organ nerves send a signal to the brain, and you feel the need to pee.
- The urethra is the tube that allows the excretion of urine from the bladder.
What Is Urinary Tract Infection?
This kind of infection appears because of the pathogenic bacteria entering the urinary tract from the outside. This may happen from contact with dirty hands or skin, or they may get into the system from the rectum.
Infections of this kind are always accompanied by a range of bothersome symptoms that we’ll cover later on.
Common Bacteria Causing UTIs
The urinary tract infections causes differ. But they are most commonly provoked by a bacteria called Escherichia Coli (E. coli). Aside from this one, the unwanted symptoms of the disease may be caused by other pathogens:
- Proteus mirabilis;
- Enterococcus faecalis;
- Klebsiella pneumoniae;
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and others.
Causes and Risk Factors of UTIs
E. Coli Bacteria
One of the studies researching the prevalence of UTIs caused by E. Coli revealed that the bacteria accounted for 86.4% of all the diagnosed cases of the disease. This pathogen can be present practically everywhere: in untreated water and food, the environment, and even human intestines.
Other Bacteria and Viruses
The other pathogenic organisms that may provoke the development of the disease belong to the families of Enterococci, Staphylococci, and Klebsiella. While they are isolated less commonly, they still pose a danger to your health.
Like E. Coli, any of this pathogenic flora can get into your body from the anus, water, food, or just the environment.
Urinary Tract Abnormalities
Abnormalities in the development or function of the genitourinary system are among the risk factors for developing urinary tract infections in men and women. The health conditions that add to the risk of getting the infection include:
- Vesicoureteral reflux, which implies urine returning to the bladder or even kidneys through one or both ureters.
- Anatomical defects that prevent the normal flow of the urine, cause obstruction or stasis.
- Pelvic prolapse (especially in women).
- Overactive bladder and other health issues.
Immune System Compromise
Immuno-compromised people easily catch any type of infection, and UTI is no exception here. The primary hazard with such patients is that the infection can easily spread within the genitourinary tract as well as be transferred to other organs and systems within hours. If left untreated, UTIs can even cause death in people with compromised immunity.
Catheter Use
A catheter-associated UTI is very common during hospital stays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that 75% of patients receiving urinary catheters develop an associated infection. This is explained by the ease of access for the infection. However, the risks may be partially mitigated by limiting the time spent using the catheter.
Menopause
Menopausal women get into the high-risk group for UTIs for several reasons:
- Their estrogen production drops dramatically, causing a reduction in vaginal secretions and thus reducing the natural antibacterial protection of the mucous membranes.
- Also, the tissue in the vagina becomes thinner with age, making it more susceptible to infection.
- Hormonal changes and the weakness of the pelvic floor in women over 50 may lead to trouble emptying the bladder, which turns into another factor of risk for urinary tract infections.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections
Depending on the location of the infection in the urinary system, the symptoms you experience may vary. Let’s take a look at the two possible scenarios.
Lower Tract
When the infection develops in the lower tract, like the urethra, the symptoms of the disease hit you almost instantly. Typically, they are the following:
- Urgency to pee;
- The feeling of bladder fullness even after you pass the urine;
- Burning and pain when you pee;
- Weak urine stream;
- You feel the need to visit the restroom very often.
Upper Tract
The worse the infection gets, the more generalized the symptoms get, which means they affect not only your excretory system but your body overall. They may include:
- Fever (may get very high);
- Pain in the side, lower abdomen, or back;
- Pain around the genitals;
- Overall weakness and tiredness;
- Diarrhea;
- Poor appetite.
Diagnosis of UTIs
Even if you do have all or some of the listed urinary tract infections symptoms, you cannot tell for sure without a visit to the doctor’s office and proper diagnostics.
Typical Diagnostic Process
When you visit a doctor, you’ll have to undergo some basic diagnostic procedures to figure out the cause of your symptoms. At first, your doctor will ask about your medical history: any inborn or acquired abnormalities in the genitourinary system, your age, and any chronic medical conditions, including those of the urinary system.
A physical examination and a urine test are also included in a typical diagnostic process. While all these are non-invasive, they usually allow for evaluating your medical condition and setting the right diagnosis.
Additional Tests if UTIs
In some patients, additional diagnostic tests may be required. These include people with urinary incontinence, suspected urinary retention or urinary reflux, and those with blood in the urine. There are several types of tests you may be offered:
- Ultrasound to see if there are any bladder stones that promote frequent infections;
- A CT scan allows 3-D visualization of the urinary tract to see the infection sites;
- Cystoscopy is an invasive procedure that presupposes the insertion of a special tube with a camera on its end to see what’s going on inside the bladder.
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections
The urinary tract infections treatment strategy depends on whether the infection you have is acute or chronic. We’ll cover some of the essentials of both to give you a better understanding of what to expect after a visit to the doctor.
Antibiotics
The only effective therapy for any infection provoked by bacteria is antibacterial agents. Antibiotics for urinary tract infections are used in patients regardless of their age and overall health condition. The preparations used most commonly, include:
- Bactrim;
- Cephalexin;
- Ceftriaxone, and others.
Keep in mind that you should never use antibacterial preparations without a doctor’s prescription.
Full Course of Treatment
It is essential that you stick to all the recommendations of your healthcare provider, especially those regarding the dosage you should take and the duration of treatment.
With UTIs, you may notice your symptoms are gone within two or three days of treatment. However, this doesn’t mean the infection is gone. This only signals that it has become weaker. Many people make a dramatic mistake at this stage and give up therapy before the recommended term. Usually, this leads to a disease relapse within a couple of weeks. If premature discontinuation of treatment becomes habitual, you risk transforming an acute form of the disease into a chronic one. This isn’t what we want.
Addressing Pain and Discomfort
While waiting for the therapy to start working, you can do several things to reduce pain and feel better:
- Drink a lot of water to “wash out” the bacteria.
- Take a warm bath or apply warm compresses to the pelvis.
- Drink cranberry juice, as there is some scientific evidence proving it can help combat UTIs.
- Exclude any foods and drinks that can work as irritants for your bladder (citrus, caffeinated beverages, spicy food, alcohol).
Treatment Strategies for Recurrent UTIs
When dealing with recurrent infections, people may be put on continuous low-dose antibiotics. This will help them stop the development of the disease at its core and prevent a full-blown infection.
If this tactic doesn’t work for you, try drinking cranberry juice and taking over-the-counter herbal products to reduce the intensity of the disease and the frequency of flare-ups.
Prevention of UTIs
Hydration and Urination Habits
The easiest and most affordable method of preventing the infection is to maintain a proper hydration and urination regimen. Doctors recommend drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day. This makes the urine less concentrated and ensures the proper function of the excretory system.
It’s also important to pass the urine timely. You shouldn’t hold it for hours when you feel the need to pee. It’s best to go to the restroom ASAP.
Diet Considerations
The right food choices are an important component of urinary tract infections prevention. People prone to renal infections should limit their consumption of caffeinated products, spicy food, and artificially sweetened beverages.
Instead, they should add broccoli, cranberry juice, garlic, cinnamon, and kefir to their diet. These products contain specific compounds that help keep pathogenic flora away.
Sexual Activity
Post-coital UTI is a common problem in women. This is all due to the anatomy of the female genitourinary system. Thrusting during intercourse makes it easy for the bacteria to enter the urethra and go up to the bladder.
To prevent the infection, you can do the following:
- Pass the urine after intercourse;
- Take a warm shower;
- Use a single dose of antibiotics for prophylaxis.
Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
The infection is called chronic when it lasts a long time, doesn’t respond to treatment, or recurs soon after finishing the therapy with antibiotics.
Management Strategies
Chronic renal infections can be managed in several ways:
- Prophylactic intake of low-dose antibiotics.
- Therapy with OTC urinary tract infections medications to reduce the bothersome symptoms.
- Treatment with herbs and other natural products (like cranberry juice).
- Lifestyle changes (appropriate diet, sufficient hydration).
- Protected sex.
Emotional and Psychological Impacts
Endless pain and burning while peeing, as well as other symptoms characteristic of UTIs, may turn into a strong emotional burden. People suffering from such health disorders cannot live their lives to the fullest, as they are always limited by the need to stay close to the restroom.
Also, there is clear evidence that renal infections harm the intimate and social lives of people suffering from them. Low self-esteem, a lack of self-confidence, and anxiety caused by the endless fear of experiencing the infection again spoil their lives a lot.
Summary
Urinary tract infections are very common, especially in women. While you may face such a problem multiple times, each time it hits hard with a broad range of bothersome symptoms. UTIs require timely and professional treatment. There’s no place for self-treatment here, as if you fail to fight the bacteria once, you risk transforming your single-time infection into a chronic one. Luckily, there are some effective treatment tactics and multiple options to help you prevent the infection.
FAQ
What are the 3 symptoms of UTI?
- The urgency to pee;
- Painful urination;
- Burning when passing the urine.
What is the main cause of a urinary tract infection?
E. coli is the pathogen that usually causes UTIs. The bacteria typically get to the urethra from the anus.
How do you get rid of a urinary tract infection fast?
The fastest way to cure the infection is to take antibiotics. Doctors say a three-day course of treatment is enough to kill the pathogenic flora.
What is the best antibiotic for urinary tract infection?
Nitrofurantoin is the best antibiotic drug used for cystitis and other urinary system infections.
