Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Tract Infection Overview
The urinary tract is one of the most important systems in the body. It involves the kidneys, which clean the blood to produce urine. The ureters are tubes transporting urine from the kidney to the bladder. While the bladder stores urine, the urethra is a tube that transports it to the outside.
A urinary tract infection takes place when bacteria get into the urinary system through the urethra. These bacteria move up to the bladder, where they can stay or move to another area, like the kidney.
When the UTI bacteria settle in the bladder, the infection is called "simple cystitis." If the infection moves to the kidney, it is known as "pyelonephritis" or kidney bacteria. Both kidney and bladder bacterial infections are types of UTI.
Usually, bladder infections are common to many patients. It causes symptoms like a burning feeling while urinating and a frequent urge to urinate. Kidney infections are, however, not common compared to bladder infections. The bacteria may cause symptoms such as acne, back pain, nausea, and fever.
In most cases, UTIs are more common in women than in men. Bladder infection in women gets treated within a short period of taking antibiotics. In men, the bacteria affect the prostate gland, so it may be treated for a long-time using antibiotics. Kidney infections are usually treated with intravenous antibiotics.
Causes of UTIs
Normal urine is sterile, meaning it has elements of fluids, waste products, and salt. As the urine comes out of the body, it does not have any viruses, fungi, or bacteria.
Usually, a UTI takes place when bacteria from the digestive system get into the opening of the urethra. The main cause for UTIs is the E. coli bacteria that live in the colon area. These UTI bacteria can affect various urinary tract causes:
- Cystitis: This infection is caused by bacteria that have moved into the urethra tube.
- Abscess: It is a process where pus along the urinary tract is collected. This may lead to pus pigments in the urine.
- Urethritis: This is, basically, a urethra infection. The bacteria affect the urethra's hollow tube.
- Pyelonephritis: A kidney infection takes place when bacteria enter the urinary tract. They can also block the ureter tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder.
Symptoms of UTIs
Just like any other infection or ailment, a UTI has its symptoms in the body. Here are the common symptoms of UTIs.
- Fever
- Bad urine smell
- Frequent urination
- Genital pain when urinating
- Burning feeling when urinating
- Body fatigue
- Inside or outside pain in the lower abdomen and below the ribs
- Strong urinating urge (with smaller amounts of urine when discharging)
- Vomiting or nausea
- Dark urine that may contain blood pigments
- Uncomfortable pressure on the pubic bone
- Confusion and other mental issues in adults
Since the symptoms of UTIs look like those of other health conditions, it is ideal to seek an online doctor for a prescription for UTI.
UTI Diagnosis and Testing
A urinary tract infection is a critical infection that requires immediate attention. Based on the symptoms, you may suspect you have a UTI. Make sure you look for the ideal online prescription for a UTI or visit a doctor. The doctor reviews your symptoms and may perform several physical tests on you. Your doctor may need to test your urine to check for microbes and to diagnose a UTI.
The urine sample should be a "clean-catch" collected at the middle area of the urinary stream and not the beginning. This form of urine collection prevents bacteria collection from the skin, which can contaminate the sample.
Usually, your doctor checks if the urine sample has a higher number of white blood cells. This procedure indicates that you have an infection, while if your urine has less to no white blood cells, you may not have an infection. In this case, a doctor looks deeply into where the issue could be and gives a diagnosis for that.
The other test is the urine culture that tests the existence of bacteria or fungi. This type of test shows the main cause of your infection. It can also help the doctor give you the proper medication or treatment for the infection.
In rare times, doctors can suspect the UTI is viral. A special test is done to verify and give a proper diagnosis. Though the UTI virus is rare, it can affect people who have previously had an organ transplant or other conditions. The infection lowers their immunity, leading to severe symptoms.
If your UTI case is repeated several times, the doctor might do other tests on you. The tests are to check where the issue could be and if your urinary tract is normal. Some of these tests include:
CT Scan: This is a form of imaging test that mainly uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed images of the body. It also shows other details of various body parts, such as muscles, organs, and fat.
Cystoscopy: In this test, the doctor uses a thin and flexible tube with a viewing device. The tube is put in through the urethra to examine the urinary tract, bladder, and other parts. This device can show structural changes and track blockages. It also shows if the patient has a tumor or stones.
Ultrasound: This test is like a CT scan but uses high-frequency sound waves. The test shows images of the kidney and bladder through the computer screen. It examines the kidney or bladder size and shape, and it checks for other infections. Some infections checked include cysts, blockages, kidney stones, and abnormalities.
Treatment, Medication, and Care for UTIs
Usually, antibiotics are among the first lines of treatment for UTIs. The drug's prescription depends on your health condition and the type of bacteria in your urine. Simple UTI infections can be treated with these medications:
- Fosfomycin (Monurol)
- Ceftriaxone
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
- Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
However, several antibiotics, such as the fluoroquinolone group, are not recommended for UTI infection treatment. This is because the risks and side effects of the drugs outweigh their benefits for treating a simple UTI infection.
In some cases, if you have a critical kidney infection, the doctor may prescribe fluoroquinolone medicine. That is if there are no other available treatment options.
Usually, after the treatment, UTI symptoms clear up in a few days. Even if the symptoms are less severe after a few days, you may be required to continue taking the antibiotics for several days more. Make sure you take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor.
Alternatively, you can check for a proper prescription online for a UTI, which might only take two or three days. If the symptom persists, seek medical advice. Your doctor may also prescribe some pain relief medication.
Home Care for UTIs
There are several ways you can prevent or take care of the infection and prevent infection. At times, the medicinal prescription is not the only solution. You can take care of yourself in several ways. Recurrent infections may be reduced by using home care remedies. Here are some ideal remedies:
1.Drink a Lot of Water or Fluids
When you have a UTI, it can be painful to urinate. To reduce the pain, make sure you drink a lot of fluids. This works in a way where the more you drink, the more you urinate. Often, urinating flushes off harmful bacteria from your urinary tract.
2.Consider Cranberries
Cranberries are an excellent ingredient for preventing bacteria from multiplying in the urinary tract walls. They can also help reduce the risk of UTIs and other infections.
3.Make Use of Probiotics
Probiotics improve digestion and increase immunity. They also replace the bad bacteria in the vagina with good bacteria. Furthermore, probiotics help reduce recurrent UTIs.
4.Take More Vitamin C
You may prevent the spread of UTIs by taking more Vitamin C. The vitamin strengthens your body by increasing immunity. It also helps reduce the acidity of the urine, thus reducing the spread of infection.
5.Avoid Holding Your Pee for Long
Ignoring your urge to pee can multiply the bacteria. Make sure you go to the bathroom when you feel like it and when necessary.
Living with and Managing UTIs
One common and critical infection that affects many women is a UTI. When not well managed, it can lead to recurrent infection or kidney infection spread.
If you live with an infection, make sure you take your medicine as prescribed by your doctor. To prevent such incidences, watch out for these indicators:
- Take low antibiotic doses for not less than six months
- Swallow a dose of antibiotics after having sex
- Ingest some antibiotics after two or three days of experiencing the symptoms
- Use some water-based lubrication during sex
- Avoid thinking that medicine can lead to bacteria multiplication
- Women should observe their birth control
Conclusion
UTIs are among the critical infections that require immediate attention. If you suspect you have an infection, look for an online doctor's prescription for a UTI. Make sure you take the medication as instructed and avoid things that can increase the infection.
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