Cases of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) are on the rise. Sadly, it happens to be one of the many health issues not all of us are vocal about – be it out of embarrassment or shyness.
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when microbes overcome the body’s defences in any area of your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.
Every year, UTIs result in about 8.1 million consultations to medical professionals. The likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection is much higher in women. According to some doctors, the lifelong risk of contracting one is as high as one in two, and many women experience recurrent infections, sometimes lasting years. This is because their urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder.
Symptoms
UTIs can cause very uncomfortable symptoms. Similar to how your throat feels when you have a cold, the lining of your bladder and urethra also get red and inflamed when you have a UTI. In addition to typically making you feel like urinating more frequently, irritation can also cause pain or cramping in the lower back, pelvis, and lower abdomen.
The most typical symptom during urinating is burning sensation or pain. Even yet, you can have a strong need or urge to urinate but only manage a few drops. This is because, even when there isn’t much urine in your bladder, the irritation caused by the bladder makes you feel as though you must urinate. There’s a chance that your urine may look like cola or tea or have a strong odour.
Causes
Both on your skin and in the vicinity of the rectum and vagina, there are a lot of bacteria. The urethra can release bacteria into the urine, which can then enter the bladder. They might even reach the kidney. However, bacteria in the urinary tract can still create issues no matter how far they go.
Certain people are more likely to have UTIs than they have colds. Because women’s urethras are shorter than men’s, bacteria must travel less distance to reach the bladder, making women more susceptible to UTIs than males.
Can UTIs be prevented?
There are various steps you can take to avoid UTIs:
- Certain forms of birth control are known to increase the risk of UTIs in women. Check with your doctor about other types of birth control.
- It’s believed that wiping from back to front after using the washroom increases the risk of recurring UTIs.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep your body well hydrated and to help flush the bacteria from your body.
- Don’t put off urinating when you need to. Holding in urine can increase your risk of UTIs.
- Some studies have shown that cranberry tablets may help prevent UTIs.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear to keep your genital area dry. Avoid wearing nylon underwear and tight pants since they can trap moisture and provide the ideal ground for the growth of bacteria.
- Avoid using perfumed soaps, talcum powder or deodorant around the genital area.
- Talk to your gynaecologist about managing any urinary incontinence or difficulties fully emptying your bladder.
Treatment
For most simple UTIs, a quick 3-day treatment of the right antibiotic will suffice. Some infections, nevertheless, can require more time to cure. Even if you feel better after a few doses, you should still take the antibiotic for the prescribed time to make sure the UTI is completely treated. Pain and the urge to urinate usually go away after that. UTIs might recur if they are not completely treated.
A lengthier course of antibiotics is prescribed if the UTI is complex. Intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy may occasionally be initiated in a hospital. Following a brief intravenous session, oral antibiotics are administered for a maximum of two weeks. Treatment for kidney infections frequently entails treating a complex UTI.
Closing thoughts
It’s extremely important to treat a urinary tract infection — the earlier, the better. Untreated UTIs can sometimes be potentially life threatening if bacteria move from the infected kidney into the blood. It is important to get in touch with your doctor if your symptoms lead you to believe that you have a UTI. In addition to reviewing your symptoms, your doctor will examine you physically. In order to confirm the diagnosis of a UTI, your doctor may need to test your urine sample to assess the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria.
