Last year June I was admitted to the Princess Margret Hospitl with the far that I was suffering from apendicitis. The pain and the uncontrolable fever was getting out of hand and serious enough to call the ambulance and admit me to the hospital. The year before that in 2015 I was diagnosed with Polysistic Ovarian Syndrome so I brushed of the pain as in relation to that. The both times I was admitted to the hospital I gained a new friend "Mrs Urinary Tract Infection". During those sick days were the only time I looked at the toilet with fear, and the first time I looked at a non human object "coupay yeux". Urinating was a complete and utter disaster from start to finish. All that came to mind was "shaleh shaleh shaleh shalleeehhhh!!!!"
U.T.Is are a bacterial infection where microbes fom the gastrointestinal tract
cultivates the urinary tract and cause infection.
The bacterias reponisble for this infection are
- E.coli which is the bacteria found in the GI with a whopping 80% causative percentage
- Staphylococcus Saprophyticus
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
- Klebsiella Pneumonia
There are three (3) types of U.T.Is
- Urethritis: which is inflammation of the urethra
- Cystitis : inflammation of the bladder
- Nephritis: inflammation of the kidneys which is the most dangerous of all and if not treated can lead to kidney failure
Signs and Symptoms
The infection normally begins at the opening of the urethra where urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract. The signs and symptoms may vary according to the location of the infection in the urinary tract.
Location of Infection Signs and Symptoms
Urethra (Urethritis) -Burning sensation when urinating
-Discharge
Bladder (Cystitist) -Pelvic pressure
-Lower abdomen discomfort
-Frequent painful urination
-Blood in urine
Kidneys (Nephritis) -Upper back and side pain
-High fever
-Shaking and chills
-Nausea
-Vomiting
Causes
U.T.Is have many causes but women are more prone to the infection because their urethras are shorter compared to men. One of the functions of urine is to flush out the urethra but if there is too much bacteria , urination may no stop the spread.
Some of the causes includes:
- Sexual Intercourse (Females)
Women who are sexually active are at greater risk of getting the infection compare to women who are not and also having multiple sexual partners increases the risk.
- Types of birth control:
- The use of spermicides altercates the delicate balance of the vagina by introducing foreign chemicals
- The use of diaphrams also increases the risk
- Low levels of estrogen:
After menopause the level of circulating estrogen in the body decreases which causes changes to the urinary tract and causes you to be more volnerable to U.T.Is
- Immune Suppression:
Diseases such as diabetes melitus and HIV impairs the immune system and causes the response time to infections to be slowed down which causes people to be more suseptible to the infection.
-Pregnancy hormones causes changes in the urinary tract which causes nfections.
- Pregnancy:
-The bladder and the urethra is pressed upon during pregnancy while the uterus grows and can cause incomplete emptying of urine, stagnant urine may be the cause
-Pregnancy hormones causes changes in the urinary tract which causes nfections.
- Enlarged Prostate: (Males)
Prostatitis or the blockage of the urethra can cause the incomplete emptying of the bladder which increases the risk of infection.
Treatment
Antibiotics are the first "go to" medication for urinary tract infections. The length of time on the medication and the type of medication prescribed depends on the the type of bacteria found in the urine and the persons overall health condition.
Drugs commonly used are:
- Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (Bacteria, Septra, others)
- Fosfomyin (Monurol)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- Azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax)
- Doxycycline (Monodox, Vibramycin, others)
After a few days the symptoms usually clear up. However the treatment needs to be continued for a week or more. For first time appearing U.T.Is in otherwise healthy persons a shorter tresatment time is needed. The doctor will prescribe antibiotics for two to three days. For sever U.T.Is, the person may need treatment with intravenous antibiotics at the hospital.
Scientists used to think that cranberries protect against U.T.Is by making the urine more acidic which certain bacteria such as E.Coli will not grow. Now researchers ave a new theory that the cranberries make it hard for the bacteria to stick to urinary tract walls. Or it could be the nutrients in the cranberry causes a slippery linning of the urinary tract so the bacteria wont stick to it.
Scientists used to think that cranberries protect against U.T.Is by making the urine more acidic which certain bacteria such as E.Coli will not grow. Now researchers ave a new theory that the cranberries make it hard for the bacteria to stick to urinary tract walls. Or it could be the nutrients in the cranberry causes a slippery linning of the urinary tract so the bacteria wont stick to it.
Prevention
These preventative measure can be followed to reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection.
- Drink lots of fluids especially water (the recommended 8 glasses per day). This dilutes the urine and causes frequent urination.
- Avoid foods and drinks that irritates the bladder like coffee, alcohol and spicy foods.
- Whipe from front to back. This minimizes the chance of bacteria from being intoduced in the vagina and urethra.
- Empty the bladder after intercourse. Urine flushes away bacteria that might have been moved to the urethra.
- Change birth control measures. Diaphrams and spermicides are a "no go"
- Take showers instead of baths, however if you decide on taking a bath make it short.
- Use tamponds for periods. Tamponds keep the bladder opening area drier compaired to sanitary napkins which limits bacterial growth.
- Do not wear tight fitting undergarments made of non-breathable fabric. Cotton underwear is advised.
- Men should have anual visits to the doctor for a digital rectal exam.
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