How to treat urinary tract infections

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you often want to use the toilet and your temperature rises, it may be time to see a doctor.

What are urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic infections of the urinary tract are inflammatory diseases that occur when microorganisms enter the urethra (urethritis), bladder (cystitis), ureters, or kidneys (pyelonephritis). In women, these organs are affected by Urinary Tract Infections / U. S. National Library of Medicine is 4 times more likely than in men, however, in the latter, the incidence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Males / Medscape increases after 50 years.

How Urinary Tract Infections Occur

The inflammation is usually caused by E. coli, which lives in the rectum. In women, the urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic is located close to the anus, so it becomes easily infected. And due to the fact that the urethra is short, germs quickly get to the bladder. The length of the urethra is also to blame for the fact that inflammation can be caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs): chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes or mycoplasma.

In men, E. coli can also enter the urethra from the rectum with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Males / Medscape. But most often, inflammation develops in chronic prostatitis. The thing is that an enlarged prostate compresses the neck of the bladder and prevents it from emptying. Urine stagnates and creates conditions for the multiplication of bacteria and damage to the urinary organs.

When the risk of infection increases

Urinary tract infections are more likely to occur with the following Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic factors:

• Frequent change of sexual partners. This way you are more likely to get an STI.
• Some lubricated contraceptives. Condoms, diaphragms, or spermicides can spread bacteria to the vulva with active friction.
• Menopause. Estrogens support the tone of the urinary tract, as well as the growth of normal vaginal microflora. In women, when menopause approaches, the synthesis of hormones decreases, so the urinary tract becomes more vulnerable to microorganisms.
• Stones in the kidneys. They interfere with the flow of urine, which increases the risk of infection.
• Low immunity. For example, with diabetes mellitus, a pathology of the immune system, a person loses his natural defense against microbes.
• Developmental anomalies. In people with congenital malformations of the urinary system, urine may stagnate due to curvature or narrowing of the organs.
• Use of a urinary catheter. It is a thin tube that is passed through the urethra into the bladder of some bedridden patients. Germs can enter the catheter and cause inflammation.
• Surgery on the urinary organs. During it, there is a risk of infection.

What are the symptoms of inflammation of different parts of the urinary tract

The disease is not always accompanied by visible signs. In some people, especially in old age, it is asymptomatic. But most people notice dysuric disorders in themselves. This is Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic:

• Constant urge to urinate.
• Burning sensation when urinating.
• Frequent trips to the toilet, with very small portions of urine.
• Cloudy urine with an unpleasant odor.
• The color of the urine is red, pink, or as dark as cola. This is a sign of the appearance of blood.

Other symptoms depend on which part of the urinary system is inflamed.

Urethritis

This is the name of the urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic. Usually accompanied only by dysuria. Sometimes there is discharge from the urethra. There is no fever and no malaise.

Cystitis

This is an inflammation of the bladder. A person complains of pain in the pelvis or above the pubis, a feeling of discomfort, sometimes blood appears in the urine. But in general, this does not affect performance and activity.

Pyelonephritis

This is the name of kidney inflammation. A person complains of severe pain in the lumbar region or in the side, his body temperature rises, and chills appear. Sometimes pyelonephritis is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Why are urinary tract infections dangerous?

There may be several options Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic:

• Transition to the chronic stage. Occurs when inflammation is not treated. The risk is higher if the person has had two similar cases in the past six months or four in a year.
• Kidney damage from pyelonephritis. Then acute or chronic renal failure develops, due to which you can even die.
• Formation of an abscess. In severe Pathophysiology of Complicated Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) / Medscape cases, a purulent focus may form near the kidney. And sometimes germs enter the bloodstream and cause sepsis, a deadly infection.
• Complications of pregnancy. If a woman has a urinary tract infection while carrying a baby, there is a risk that he will be born with a low birth weight or prematurely.
• Urethral stenosis. In men, frequent inflammation of the urethra leads to its narrowing due to the proliferation of connective tissue.

What to do if there are signs of a urinary tract infection

You need to see a therapist. He can diagnose himself or refer him to a urologist.

To make an accurate diagnosis, doctors use the following Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic examination methods:

• Analysis of urine. White blood cells, red blood cells and bacteria can be found in it, and this will confirm inflammation.
• Bacterial culture. Collected in a sterile container, urine is transferred into a dish with a special nutrient medium and colonies of bacteria are grown to determine what type they belong to and what antibiotics they are afraid of.
• Ultrasound, CT or MRI. Used to study the structure of the urinary organs.
• Cystoscopy. This is a method of examining the inside of the bladder using a thin, flexible tube with a video camera.

How are urinary tract infections treated?

To kill bacteria, doctors ask the Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic to drink antibiotics. And to reduce unpleasant symptoms, over-the-counter pain relievers may be recommended.

With severe infections, you have to go to the hospital. In this case, antibacterial drugs are administered intravenously.

If urinary tract inflammation recurs frequently, your doctor may prescribe low-dose antibiotics for a six-month course of treatment.

Sexually active women are sometimes given a one-time dose of antibiotics after each intercourse. And during menopause, estrogen drugs may be needed.

How to avoid getting urinary tract infections

Doctors at the Mayo Clinic Research Center give the following Urinary tract infection (UTI) / Mayo Clinic recommendations:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. She will dilute the urine, going to the toilet will become more frequent, so bacteria will be flushed out of the urinary tract.
• Drink cranberry B. Foxman, A. E. W. Cronenwett, C. Spino, M. B. Berger, D. M. Morngan. Cranberry juice capsules and urinary tract infection after surgery: results of a randomized trial / American journal of obstetrics and gynecology juice. It changes the pH of the urine to an acidic side, so bacteria cannot multiply and the risk of infection in the urinary tract is reduced.
• Practice good hygiene. Wipe from front to back after urinating and defecating.
• Empty your bladder after intercourse. This will help flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urethra.
• Do not use cosmetics that irritate the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals. Also, women are not advised to do douching or apply powders.
• Change your method of contraception. If diaphragms, lubricated condoms, or spermicides are causing the flare-up, it's best to find another way to prevent pregnancy.