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Urinary Tract Infection : Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a condition when the organs that enter the urinary system, namely the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, experience infection. Urinary tract infections are usually more common in two areas, the bladder and urethra.

Starting from the kidney, residual substances in the blood are filtered and released in the form of urine. Then, urine flowed from the kidneys through the ureter, to the bladder. After being accommodated in the bladder, urine is then removed from the body through a discharge channel called the urethra, which empties into the urethra.

Based on the infected part, UTI is divided into upper UTI and lower UTI. The upper UTI is an infection that occurs in the upper part of the bladder, namely in the kidney and ureter. While the lower UTI is an infection of the lower bladder, the bladder and urethra.

The upper UTI is more dangerous and can trigger urosepsis, a condition when the bacteria in the infected kidney spread to the blood. Urosepsis can cause blood pressure to drop to shock, even death.

Urinary track infection

Causes of urinary tract infections

If a woman does not wipe the pubic area after urinating from the front to the back, then she is at risk of developing this disease. Because the area of the urethra, which is a tube-shaped organ that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, is located close to the anus.

If a woman does not clean the area properly then bacteria from the large intestine, such as E. coli, are perfectly positioned to move from the anus to the urethra. From there, bacteria can travel to the bladder, and if the infection is not treated, this will lead to more severe conditions such as kidney infections. Apart from unclean habits after urinating, having sex can also cause bacteria to enter the urinary tract. Therefore it is very important to wash the pubic area after having sex.




Risk Factors for Urinary Tract Infection

Compared to men, women are more at risk of having a urinary tract infection. This is because the urethra in women is shorter, so that the bacteria more easily reach the bladder.

Some other conditions that can increase the risk of urinary tract infections are:

  • Pregnant.
  • Have had a urinary tract infection before.
  • Menopause, due to decreased estrogen hormone levels after menopause, will change the levels of normal bacteria in the vagina.
  • Just underwent surgery on the urinary tract.
  • Long-term use of urine catheter.
  • Born with a condition of abnormalities in the urinary tract.
  • Blockages in the urinary tract, for example due to kidney stones or enlargement of the prostate gland. This condition makes the bladder difficult to empty and triggers the proliferation of bacteria.
  • The immune system is weak, for example because of diabetes or undergoing chemotherapy.
  • Use of condoms with spermicide lubricants in men. These types of condoms can cause vaginal infections, and trigger urinary tract infections.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections

Symptoms of urinary tract infections depend on the type of infection experienced. In the upper UTI, the main symptom is pain in the waist, lower back, or groin. Pain can get worse when urinating. In addition, symptoms can include:

  • Fever.
  • The body feels cold and shivering.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.

Whereas in the lower UTI, symptoms that arise include:

  • Pain when urinating.
  • The frequency of urination increases, but the amount of urine is small.
  • Cannot resist feeling like urinating.
  • The bladder still feels full, even though it has urinated.
  • Pain in the lower abdomen.
  • Pelvic pain (in women) or in the rectum (in men).
  • The urine smell is very stinging.
  • The urine color is cloudy.
  • There is blood in the urine (hematuria).
  • Limp.

Diagnosis of urinary tract infections

In addition to asking about the patient's health history and symptoms, doctors will run several tests to diagnose urinary tract infections, one of which is a urine test or urinalysis. Urine samples will be taken to the laboratory, to detect the presence of white blood cells in the urine, which can be a sign of UTI.

In certain cases, a urine test will be followed by urine culture, to detect the presence of bacteria or fungi in the urine. Urine cultures can help doctors determine the infection-causing organisms and the right drugs.

If the patient is suspected of having an upper urinary tract infection, the doctor will do a complete blood count and blood culture after the urine test. Through blood culture, the doctor can find out if the infection has spread to the bloodstream.

In patients with frequent urinary tract infections, doctors will suspect a urinary tract abnormality. To be sure, the doctor will carry out imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. Imaging tests can be preceded by giving contrast agents, to see the condition of the urinary tract more clearly.

Another method for diagnosing urinary tract infections is cystoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a small tube with a camera into the urethra to see the condition of the bladder. Through cystoscopy, doctors can also take tissue samples from the bladder, to see other possibilities, such as bladder cancer.

Treatment of urinary tract infections

To treat this condition, antibiotics can be used to kill bacteria so that they resolve the infection. Also, be sure to spend the antibiotics your doctor prescribes correctly, even after the condition starts to improve.

The most important thing in dealing with this disease is by removing bacteria in the urinary area. Because if it is not done completely, the bacteria will be susceptible to infecting again and strengthening the attack of bacteria so that there is an antibiotic resistance. Also get used to getting antibiotics in accordance with the doctor's prescription.

Also try to drink plenty of water to help remove bacteria from the urinary system. Doctors can also prescribe medications to relieve pain, and reduce fever if there are complaints of pain and fever. If this condition occurs 3 times a year or more, consult a doctor to recommend a special treatment plan. Some treatment options that can be implemented include:

  • Take a low dose of antibiotics for a longer period to help prevent recurrent infections.
  • Take a single dose of antibiotics after intercourse, which is a trigger for common infections.
  • Taking antibiotics for 1 or 2 days every time the symptoms appear.

Complications of urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections that are left untreated can cause kidney infections (pyelonephritis). This condition will result in permanent kidney damage. UTIs are also at risk for relapse within 6 months, or up to four times a year.

A number of other complications that can occur as a result of an untreated UTI are:

  • Sepsis, which is a dangerous condition due to infection, especially if the infection spreads to the kidneys.
  • Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urethra in men).
  • Premature births and babies born with low birth weight, if experienced by pregnant women.

Prevention of urinary tract infections

  • Does not hold urine.
  • Always clean the pubic area from front to back after urinating.
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Stay away from spray cleaning the area of the woman, deodorizing the female area, and other products for the female area because it will only irritate the mucosa.
  • Clean the genital area before intercourse.
  • Urinate after having sex to get rid of bacteria that might have entered the urethra.
  • Do not use underwear for days.
  • Do not use subordinate clothing that is tight because it will increase humidity.

If this infection is not immediately treated, this condition will trigger urosepsis, which is a condition when the bacteria in the infected kidney spread to the blood. Urosepsis can cause blood pressure to drop to shock, even death.



References

References

Rowe, TA. Juthani-Mehta, M. (2014). Diagnosis and Management of Urinary Tract Infection in Older Adults.

Urology Care Foundation (2018). Urinary Tract Infection in Adults.

Better Health (2018). Kidney and Bladder. Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)


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Is a health and wellness enthusiast. In him free time, she loves to travel and taste different types of teas.

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