| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
A
UTI is an infection anywhere in the urinary tract. The
urinary tract includes the organs that collect and store
urine and release it from your body. They are the kidneys,
ureter, bladder and urethra.
Usually, a UTI is caused by bacteria that can also live
in the digestive tract, in the vagina, or around the
urethra, which is at the entrance to the urinary tract.
Most often these bacteria enter the urethra and travel
to the bladder and kidneys. Usually, the body removes
the bacteria, and there are no symptoms. However, some
people seem to be prone to infection, including women
and older people.
Symptoms of Urine
Infection:
* Burning feeling when you urinate and frequent or intense
urges to urinate, even when you have little urine to
pass.
* Pain in your back or lower abdomen. Cloudy, dark,
bloody, or unusual-smelling urine.
* Fever or chills.
Women are more likely to get UTIs than men. When men
get UTIs, however, they’re often serious and hard
to treat. UTIs can be especially dangerous for older
people and pregnant women, as well as for those with
diabetes and those who have difficulty urinating.
Urine tests:
Your urine will be checked under a microscope for bacteria
and infection-fighting cells. The doctor may order a
urine culture. In this test, bacteria from the urine
are allowed to grow in a lab dish so the exact type
of bacteria can be seen and the precise type of medicine
you need can be chosen.
Images:
The doctor may use either x-rays, ultrasound, or CT
scan to view your bladder or kidneys. These pictures
can show stones, blockage or swelling. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Cystoscope:
The urethra and bladder can be seen from the inside
with a cystoscope, which is a thin tube with lenses
like a microscope. The tube is inserted into the urinary
tract through the urethra.
Infections of the urinary tract are very common. Most
women will have at least one urinary tract infection
in their lives. UTI has a prevalence of about 1-3% in
women, rising to 20% in those over 65 years. The organisms
that normally cause UTI are:
* E. Coli
* Proteus
* Klebsiella
* Enterobacter
* Candida
* Enterococci
* Staphylococci
With abnormalities of the urinary tract, more unusual
organisms are found, such as:
* Pseudomonas aeruginosa
* Staphylococcus epidermidis
Occasionally, organisms secondary to systemic disease
arising elsewhere also cause UTI such as:
* Tuberculosis
* Salmonellosis
* Adenovirus types 2 and 11, in children
* Herpes simplex
Risk factors for the development of a urinary tract
infection include:
* Diabetes mellitus
* Pregnancy
* Impaired voiding of the bladder
* Genitourinary malformation
* Prostatic hypertrophy in men
* Renal stones
Treatment
In primary care, in a woman with uncomplicated cystitis,
urinary culture is not necessarily required. Urine DR
is sufficient. Urine microscopy, culture and sensitivity
is required in patients with recurrent or complicated
infections, during pregnancy.
Further investigations may be indicated if there are
recurrent UTIs in a woman or a single episode in a man
e.g. ultrasound, IVU. A child with a single episode
of a urinary tract infection requires referral for specialist
investigation. A short course of antibiotic might be
needed. The patient is advised to take plenty of fluids.
Research has shown that three days of antibiotic therapy
is similar to 5–10 days in achieving symptomatic
cure for uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI)
in non-pregnant women aged 18–65 years. Although
longer treatment is more effective in achieving bacteriological
cure, it is associated with more adverse effects.
Changing some of your daily habits may help avoid UTIs.
* Drink lots of fluid to flush the bacteria from your
system. Water is best. Try for 6 to 8 glasses a day.
* Drink cranberry juice or take vitamin C. Both increase
the acid in the urine, so bacteria can’t grow
easily.
* Urinate frequently and go when you first feel the
urge. Bacteria can grow when urine stays in the bladder
too long.
* Urinate shortly after sex. This can flush away bacteria
that might have entered your urethra during sex.
* After using the toilet, make sure you wash properly,
especially after a bowel movement.
* Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes so
that air can keep the area dry. Avoid tight-fitting
jeans and nylon underwear that trap moisture and can
help bacteria grow.
For women, using a diaphragm or spermicide for birth
control can lead to UTIs by increasing bacteria growth.
If you have trouble with UTIs, consider modifying your
birth control method. Unlubricated condoms or spermicidal
condoms increase irritation and help bacteria cause
symptoms. Consider switching to lubricated condoms without
spermicide or using a nonspermicidal lubricant.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
