Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Causes, Symptoms, Risk factors, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

 

Any infection within the urinary system is referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra are all parts of the urinary system. The lower urinary tract, including the bladder and urethra, is typically affected by infections.

Compared to men, women are more likely to get a UTI. An infection that only affects the bladder can be uncomfortable and painful. However, if a UTI spreads to the kidneys, it can cause serious health problems.

Antibiotics are frequently used by medical professionals to treat urinary tract infections. Additionally, you can take precautions to lessen your risk of contracting a UTI in the first place.

One of the most prevalent types of infections in your urinary system is a urinary tract infection. Any component of your urinary system may be affected. Most frequently, bacteria—particularly E. coli—cause urinary tract infections. Frequent urination, pain during urination, and soreness in the side or lower back are among the symptoms.

What is an infection of the urinary tract (UTI)?

An infection of the urinary system is known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). 

The urinary system produces and stores urine. Among them are your:

kidneys. The kidneys are small, bean-shaped organs above the hips on the back of the body. The average person has two kidneys. Your blood is filtered to remove waste materials and water, resulting in urine. Two common wastes are creatinine and urea.

Ureters. Urine is transported from your kidneys to your bladder through tiny tubes called ureters.

Bladder. Before it leaves your body, urine is stored in your bladder, an organ that resembles a balloon.

Urethra. Urine is transported from your bladder to the outside of your body through the urethra.

Causes:

The most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is bacteria from poo getting into the urinary system.

The urethra, the tube that exits the body with urine, is where bacteria enter.

Compared to men, women's urethras are shorter. This indicates a higher chance of bacteria entering the bladder or kidneys and infecting them.

The following things raise the risk of bacteria entering the bladder:

• Pregnancy

• Conditions that block the urinary system

•  Including kidney stones

• Conditions that make it difficult to empty the bladder fully

• Such as constipation in children and an enlarged prostate in males urinary catheters (a tube in the bladder used to drain urine)

• Not getting enough fluids

• Not maintaining a clean and dry vaginal area

• Using chemotherapy

• Or having a weakened immune system, such as those with diabetes

The most common cause of urinary tract infections (UTIs) is the passage of bacteria from the urethra into the bladder. The urinary system is meant to keep bacteria out. However, defenses don't always work. When that occurs, germs may settle in and develop into a urinary tract infection.

Also Read: Kidney Stones: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention

What symptoms indicate an infection of the urinary tract?

Urinary tract lining inflammation is brought on by a UTI. The following issues could be brought on by the inflammation:

• You may be experiencing lower back, pelvic, flank, or abdomen pain

• Pressure in your pelvis' lower region

• Murky, bad-smelling pee

• Incontinence in the urine

• A lot of urine production

• Encourage incontinence

• Pain while urination (dysuria)

• Urine with blood in it (hematuria)

Other signs and symptoms of a UTI could be:

• Having a severe case of tiredness

• High temperature

• Feels cold

• Vomiting as well as nausea

• Disorientation or mental alterations

Risk factors:

In women, UTIs are common. A lot of women get UTIs more than once in their lifetime.

Particularly for women, risk factors for UTIs include:

• Anatomy of women. Compared to men, women's urethras are shorter. Bacteria have to travel less distance to reach the bladder as a result.

• Sexual activity. The risk of UTIs appears to increase with sexual activity. Risk also rises when one partners sexually.

• Certain birth control methods. Diaphragm use as a method of birth control may raise the risk of UTIs. Additionally, using spermicidal substances may raise risk.

• Menopause. Urinary tract alterations result from a decrease in circulating estrogen after menopause. The modifications may make UTIs more likely.

Other UTI risk factors are as follows:

• Urinary tract issues. Urination problems may be experienced by newborns who are born with problems with their urinary tract. UTIs can result from urine backing up in the urethra.

• Obstructions in the urinary system. Urine might become stuck in the bladder due to kidney stones or an enlarged prostate. The risk of UTIs is increased as a result.
• A weakened immune system. The body's protection against germs, and the immune system, can be weakened by diabetes and other illnesses. The chance of UTIs may rise as a result.

• Catheter usage. People who are unable to urinate independently frequently need to use a catheter, which is a tube. UTI risk is increased when using a catheter. Those who are hospitalized may utilize catheters. Those who are paraplegic or have neurological conditions that make it difficult to control urination may also use them.

• A recent operation on the bladder. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can be more likely to occur after a urinary surgery or a medical instrument-assisted urinary tract check.

Complications:

Lower urinary tract infections almost rarely result in problems when treated correctly and quickly. However, if addressed, UTIs can lead to major health issues.

A UTI's complications could include:

• Repeated infections are defined as two or more UTIs in six month or three or more in a year. Recurrent infections are more common in women.

• Permanent kidney damage brought on by an untreated urinary tract infection.

• Having a low birth weight or premature baby as a result of a pregnancy-related UTI.

• A male urethral narrowing caused by recurrent urethral infections.

• Sepsis is an infection-related consequence that may be fatal. This poses a concern, particularly if the infection progresses to the kidneys through the urinary tract.

Diagnoses and Tests:

What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Speak with a healthcare professional if you experience any urinary tract infection-related symptoms. Along with reviewing your medical history and performing a physical examination, they will enquire about your symptoms. In order to aid confirm a diagnosis, they can also prescribe testing.

 to detect a urinary tract infection, what tests will be performed?
To identify a UTI, a medical professional may request the following tests:

Urinalysis. You are going to urinate into a specific cup during this test. The sample will be sent by the provider to a lab, where qualified technicians will use various tests, including nitrites, leukocyte esterase, and white blood cells, to check for indications of a urinary tract infection.

Urine culture. You will pee into a special cup, and lab personnel will examine your specimen to detect the presence of any bacteria. Urine cultures are crucial since they assist your doctor in deciding on the best course of action.

A healthcare professional may prescribe the following tests to check your urinary tract for a medical condition or injury if your infection doesn't go away after treatment:

Ultrasonic. An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that allows your physician to view your interior organs. There is no need for preparation and ultrasonography is painless.

CT scan, or computed tomography. An additional imaging test is a CT scan. This kind of X-ray creates three-dimensional images of your insides by taking cross-sectional pictures of your body, or slices. An X-ray is not as accurate as a CT scan.

Cystoscopy. During a cystoscopy, a cystoscope is used to examine through your urethra into your bladder. A narrow device with a lens and a light at the end is called a cystoscope.

If you have recurrent urinary tract infections, your doctor might perform tests to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing your infections, like diabetes or an abnormal urinary system.

Management and Medical Treatments:

What treatment is most effective for an infection of the urinary tract?
The best course of action for a urinary tract infection is to visit a doctor. To treat a UTI, you must take antibiotics. An antibiotic that is most effective against the germs causing your infection will be chosen by your healthcare professional.

 you must abide by the prescription's instructions after you receive one for antibiotics. Even if you start feeling better and your symptoms go away, make sure you finish the entire course of antibiotics. If you don't take the entire prescribed amount, the infection may return and become harder to cure.

Your healthcare practitioner could advise you to take antibiotics if you frequently have UTIs:

• Every day

• Every other day

• After sex

• As soon as symptoms appear

• If you have a history of recurrent UTIs, discuss your best course of action with a healthcare professional

Which particular medications are used to treat infections of the urinary tract?

The following antibiotics are frequently prescribed by medical professionals to treat UTIs:

• Nitrofurantoin

• Medicines are known as sulfonamides, or sulfas, 

• like trimethoxazole/sulfamethoxazole

• Amoxicillin

• Such as cephalexin, are cephalosporins

• Doxycycline

• Fosfomycin

• Quinolones, include levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin

If you frequently experience urinary tract infections, your doctor might prescribe low-dose antibiotics for a brief period to stop the illness from returning. Your doctor might advise you to use this cautious approach when treating recurrent UTIs since you run the risk of developing antibiotic resistance and contracting additional illnesses, such as C. diff colitis. This is not a particularly widespread practice.

Can an antibiotic used to treat a UTI cause me to become immune to them?

Sort of. Antibiotic resistance is the result of the infection becoming more resistant to antibiotics each time they are used to treat a UTI. However, the infection—not you—becomes resistant to the antibiotics. Using antibiotics isn't always the best solution for practice. Because of this, if you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor might recommend different courses of action. These could consist of:

Having out. Your healthcare provider might recommend treating your symptoms with a "watch and wait" approach. It's a good idea to stay hydrated throughout this period, especially with water, to help flush out your system.

IV (intravenous) therapy. In certain complicated circumstances, an antibiotic-resistant UTI or an infection that has spread to your kidneys are potential results. You might require treatment at a hospital, where medical professionals will inject medication into a vein in your arm or another suitable location. To fully recover from the illness, you might need to take oral antibiotics for a while after returning home.

Prevention:

Can an infection of the urinary tract be avoided?
Urinary tract infections can be prevented by adopting the following lifestyle modifications:


Maintain proper hygiene

One of the most effective strategies to help avoid UTIs is to practice excellent cleanliness. This is particularly critical if you vaginally absorb birth since, due to the shorter urethra, E. Coli finds it easy to return from your rectum into your body. To prevent this, always wipe after a bowel movement (pooping) from front to back.

It is also a good idea to replace your period goods, such as pads and tampons, regularly during your menstrual cycle. Moreover, you ought to refrain from applying deodorant on your vagina.

Take steps to stay hydrated

Increasing your daily fluid intake, particularly with water, can aid in the removal of bacteria from your urinary system. It is advised by medical professionals to consume six to eight glasses of water per day.

Change your urination habits

One of the main ways to remove bacteria from your body is to urinate. Every time you let go of your bladder, you are aiding in the removal of waste from your body, which is your urine.
Especially if you frequently get UTIs, urinating frequently can lower your risk of contracting an infection.

Change your birth control

Some persons who use a diaphragm for birth control run the risk of getting a UTI. Discuss alternative birth control methods with a medical professional.

Change your cloth

Clothing that fits too tight might produce a damp atmosphere that encourages the growth of bacteria. To keep moisture from building up around your urethra, try wearing loose-fitting clothes and cotton underwear.

Medications

A healthcare professional might recommend an estrogen-containing vaginal cream if you are postmenopausal. These treatments alter the pH of your vagina, which may help lower your chance of getting a UTI. If you experience frequent UTIs and are postmenopausal, see a healthcare professional.

Consider cranberry juice

Probiotics and cranberry extract are two over-the-counter (OTC) remedies that may help avoid UTIs. Research into whether cranberry juice shields against UTIs is ongoing. Consult a medical professional before beginning any supplementation.

References:

• Overactive bladder (OAB): Lifestyle changes. Urology Care Foundation. https://urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/overactive-bladder-(oab)/treatment/lifestyle-changes. Accessed June 13, 2022.

• American Urological Association. What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Adults (https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults)? Accessed 4/6/2023.

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urinary Tract Infection (https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fantibiotic-use%2Fcommunity%2Ffor-patients%2Fcommon-illnesses%2Futi.html). Accessed 4/6/2023.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health. Urinary Tract Infections (https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-tract-infections). Accessed 4/6/2023.

• Bladder infection (urinary tract infection) in adults. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults. Accessed June 13, 2022.

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/urinary-tract-infections. Accessed June 13, 2022.

• Partin AW, et al., eds. Infections of the urinary tract. In: Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 13, 2022.

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/urinary-tract-infections. Accessed June 13, 2022.

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Definition & Facts of Bladder Infection in Adults (https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/definition-facts). Accessed 4/6/2023.

• Cranberry. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/cranberry. Accessed June 13, 2022.

• Goebel MC, et al. The five Ds of outpatient antibiotic stewardship for urinary tract infections. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 2021; doi:10.1128/CMR.00003-20.

• Merck Manual, Consumer Version. Overview of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) (https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/urinary-tract-infections-utis/overview-of-urinary-tract-infections-utis). Accessed 4/6/2023.

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/urinary-tract-infections. Accessed June 13, 2022.