Urinary tract infection is an inflammation that affects the areas of your body, such as your kidneys, your bladder, or your urethra. These types of infections happen when pathogens build up in the urine. Different microorganisms can cause urinary tract infections. Most times, bacteria are the cause. The exact location of the infection determines its signs and manifestations. Urinary tract infections are very common; they are among the most prevalent diseases worldwide. They can happen to anyone of any age but are far more common in women of childbearing age. The good news is there are ways to treat a UTI. Want to learn more and take care of the health of your urinary tract? Read on.
Healthy people do not have microorganisms in the bladder. While urine does have natural antibacterial properties against certain types of microorganisms, it is not always effective in inhibiting the growth of harmful germs. If external pathogens enter the urethra and then the bladder, they can multiply in the urine and cause inflammation. Other adverse factors can also alter the quality of the urine, e.g., by modifying its pH and making it more prone to infection. Find out which pathogens can cause UTIs.
Urinary tract infections are most common and are the result of bacteria moving to the bladder from other points in the body. These can be either Gram-negative or Gram-positive bacteria. They typically are Escherichia coli bacteria, which are present in the intestinal tract of humans and, in women, the vaginal region. But sometimes, various strains like Klebsiella, Proteus, Staphylococcus, and Enterococcus also cause infections. Localized migration of pathogens from the perineum or anus to the urethra leads to UTI.
A number of bacterial strains can adhere to the bladder mucosal surface. Certain others can also degrade urea, thus raising the pH of urine, which creates a better environment for them to proliferate and aggravate the infection. Importantly, if a UTI is caused by bacteria other than E. coli, the disease course is typically worse and more difficult to treat.
Urinary tract fungal infections, on the other hand, are uncommon. But it can happen, especially with Candida. These fungi can naturally exist in the female vagina, and when they enter the urethra and bladder, they lead to infections. That is why women are more prone to have such infections. Plus, they have shorter urethras, so pathogens arrive at the bladder faster.
Fungi can also inhabit other places in the body. Candida naturally occurs in the digestive system as well as on the skin in body areas such as the groin and between the toes. Fungi can also colonize in the testis in men. When the immune system is weakened, strains occur in even greater numbers, making UTI more possible.
Viruses can also cause bladder and urethra infections. These viruses include the human polyomavirus type 1, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. These pathogens may directly infect the epithelium of the urinary tract. Likewise, viruses can lie dormant in our bodies and turn on the gene if activated, provoking inflammation. Additionally, immune-suppressing viruses raise the risk of secondary bacterial infection in the urinary tract.
A urinary tract infection may occur in any part of the urinary tract, and it is most commonly cystitis, an infection of the bladder. Urethritis is less common. The situation gets worse when pathogens spread into the kidneys. Other symptoms may then appear. Find out what the most common signs and symptoms of a UTI are.
In both cases of these two infections, frequent urination is one of the symptoms. Patients who use the toilet many more times than before have a full bladder feeling, and when urinating, there is little or no urination. Also, the feeling of not completely emptying the bladder persists after this. So, it is one of the most uncomfortable infections to have.
Also, urination may become painful, with a burning sensation in the urethra. Some patients also find themselves in pain in the lower abdomen. In cases of urethral infection, patients may experience some atypical discharge in the area of the urethra. Occasionally, there may be blood in the urine, which is particularly alarming. In this sense, an immediate consultation with the doctor is mandatory. An additional sign may be bedwetting if the infection happens in children.
Kidney inflammation is a specific type of UTI accompanied by extra signs and symptoms. A high fever may appear, which is the body's response to the presence of harmful bacteria and inflammation in the kidneys. Patients also suffer from back pain, specifically the lumbar region of the back. It is related to inflammation and irritation of the kidney tissue. Moving around, especially hitting this area or shaking the body, can make this specific type of pain feel worse. Symptoms characteristic of cystitis and urethritis may exist alongside these usual renal symptoms, and nausea and vomiting are also common.
A risk factor for urinary tract inflammation is a factor that increases the chances that a person will develop this condition. These determinants undermine natural urinary tract barriers, and inflammation provides an entry point for bacteria in the urinary tract. To be able to prevent these infections, we must know what can put us at risk of the same.
Infections down there can also raise the risk of urinary tract infections. For instance, bacterial vaginosis and vulvitis infections (which are common among women) can sometimes cause pathogens to travel up to the urethra, resulting in a UTI. Because of the anatomical structure of women, they are more exposed to this than men. In addition, such infections are especially prevalent in women with an active sex life. This is because, during sex, bacteria from the skin and anal area can move more easily to different areas where they can cause infection.
An unhealthy immune system will not act as a strong defence system against infections, including urinary tract infections. Which is why different diseases making our immune system weak cause the increase of infections in bladder, urethra and kidney too. Such diseases are AIDS and different types of cancers. Organ transplant patients are also prone to infection, as they are on special drugs that inhibit their immune system activity.
Diabetes is a disease that causes lots of problems, and sadly, it also makes people vulnerable to urinary tract infections. It is because patients have high blood sugar levels. That, in turn, allows for the buildup of glucose in the urine, a prime breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria causing urinary tract infections need glucose to grow and reproduce, so they reproduce more easily in the urine of those with diabetes. Another feature of diabetes that encourages infections is the suppressed immune system. Nonetheless, excellent control of blood sugar and overall health care can help defend against infections.
Hormonal changes at various times can make you more prone to urinary tract infections. Why? Hormones are another significant influence on the function of the urinary tract. Estrogens, for instance, influence the state of the mucous membranes of the parts of the urinary system and resistance to infection. Menopause is another risk factor because levels of estrogen decrease at this time, and the tissues of the urinary organs become less stable.
Hormonal changes that lead to an increased risk of infection are also common in pregnant women. Higher levels of hormones during pregnancy relax the entire urinary tract, resulting in urine retention and, thus, infections. Furthermore, hormones also control osmotic pressure and water and electrolyte homeostasis, which is also significant for the urinary system as it plays a key role in kidney and bladder regulation.
For a number of reasons, men may also have a greater possibility of contracting urinary tract infections. Enlargement of the prostate and related problems with the male reproductive system can result in such issues. It is marked by enlargement of the gland, which is located near vital parts of the urinary system. This can prevent or impede urination, potentially causing it to stagnate. This can lead to repeat infections of the urethra and bladder as well as some other, more dangerous complications if the enlarged prostate goes untreated.
Some people are born with urinary tract anatomical defects. Such defects hinder the urinary tract's natural cleansing processes, contributing to infection and complications. The narrow urethral opening can encourage bacteria to stay and grow. Likewise, vesicoureteral reflux can cause urine to move backward into the kidneys, which can put you at a greater risk for kidney infections.
For many medical situations, a catheter is used to access the bladder, such as during surgery. However, catheterization can come with an infection risk. Putting a catheter into the urethra allows bacteria from the skin to be carried into the urinary tract.
If the patient has been experiencing typical symptoms of UTIs, the doctor may ask about them in an interview to diagnose a urinary tract infection. Other pertinent details include the duration of symptoms and histories of previous infection. At times, the interview is enough for the doctor to arrive at a diagnosis and to make a prescription. But tests are needed when infections come back or don't respond to treatment. In the presence of symptoms of kidney inflammation, more specific tests are also relevant.
Typically, tests include obtaining a urine specimen from the patient and viewing it under a scope. It enables the identification of the pathogen responsible for the infection and the choice of the correct treatment. Other indicators are important, too, like leukocytes, which indicate that there's inflammation going on. In some instances, imaging tests like ultrasound or others are incorporated, too. These tests can help determine if any abnormalities in the structure of the urinary tract are causing the infection. Such imaging tests can also evaluate kidney condition.
Drugs that are effective in killing the bacteria, like antibiotics, are mainly used in urinary tract infections. In these instances, it needs to be taken even multiple times a day as directed by a physician and the remedy ought to stay constant. If the treatment is stopped too soon, the pathogens may start to multiply again. However, when patients follow their doctor's instructions, bladder or urethra infection symptoms should resolve in a few days.
In addition, doctors often prescribe high doses of vitamin C. Moreover, physicians usually suggest large amounts of vitamin C. It can enhance the immune system's action, which is crucial in the case of UTIs. It, too, helps to keep urine at the proper pH level. When urine becomes even more acidic, it is not a friendly environment for any kind of bacteria to live in. So, vitamin C decreases the growth of bacteria, and thus, the patient recovers faster.
Besides treating it pharmacologically, it is well worth maintaining urinary tract health in various ways. An important recommendation that doctors give to patients is to drink plenty of fluids to help clear bacteria from the bladder faster. In addition, a warm compress, such as a hot water bottle, can be used to combat the abdominal pain. Great attention should also be paid to maintaining good intimate hygiene.
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