Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infections( UTI )



A UTI is an infection in the urinary tract. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs. Normally, bacteria that enter the urinary tract are rapidly removed by the body before they cause symptoms. However, sometimes bacteria overcome the body’s natural defenses and cause an infection. UTIs go by a variety of names, depending on where they happen along the urinary tract:





What are the symptoms of a UTI?



Symptoms can vary between individuals and often depend on a person’s age, gender, and whether a catheter is present. Symptoms include:



Frequent and intense urge to urinate

Painful, burning feeling in the bladder or urethra during urination

Small amount of urine

Cloudy, dark, bloody, or foul smelling urine

Fever

Feeling tired, shaky, or weak

Muscle aches

Abdominal pain

How are UTIs diagnosed?



If a UTI is suspected, a urine sample will be obtained by your provider. The best sample of urine to obtain is midstream placed in a sterile cup to avoid “normal bacterial flora” or contamination from the body. The sample of urine is then sent for analysis and to determine if a culture is then needed to identify specific bacteria causing the infection. If an individual is unable to provide a urine sample himself or herself, a sterile catheter is used at times to obtain the urine sample.



How are UTIs treated?



Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, which are treated with antibiotics or antimicrobials. When a UTI occurs in a healthy person with a normal, unobstructed urinary tract, the term “uncomplicated” is used to describe the infection. Most healthy young women who have UTIs have uncomplicated UTIs, and can be cured with a short course of oral antibiotics.It is important to finish the prescribed antibiotic regimen even if your symptoms resolve. For a severe UTI, oral and/or intravenous antibiotics may need to be given based on results of a urine culture to tailor treatment on the specific bug (s) causing the infection.



How can I avoid getting a UTI?



1. When nature calls, answer: Urinate when you need to. Don’t hold it. Pass urine before and after sex. For women, after you pass urine or have a bowel movement , wipe from front to back.

2. Keep hydrated: Try for 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.



3. Keep clean: Make sure to practice good, regular genital hygiene.



4. Wear breathable clothes: Let the genital area breathe. Wear cotton undergarments, and avoid tight-fitting pants.



5. Opt for pads rather than tampons : Tampons increase the risk of developing a UTI.



6. Do not Douche: Keep all perfumed products away from your genitals.



7. Taking showers instead of baths helps prevent bacteria from entering the urethra and causing a UTI.



8. Always wash your genital area both before and after sexual intercourse to help prevent transferring bacteria to the urethra or vaginal area.



9. Drink cranberry juice which is fairly well known as a natural way of preventing UTIs.



10. Another nutritional route is taking Vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C increases the acidity level of urine which decreases the number of harmful bacteria.