URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)
An infection caused mostly by bacteria, some by fungi and rarely by the virus in any part of the urinary system (which includes kidney, bladder, ureters and urethra) is known as urinary tract infection. It is a pervasive problem among women and has affected about 60% of the total women population worldwide. Infection in the bladder can be excruciating and annoying, and when the infection spreads to the kidney, the consequences might be serious.
Urinary tract infection is a broad term and specifically, infection in the bladder is termed as cystitis, infection in the urethra is termed as urethritis and infection in the kidney is termed as kidney infection.
Symptoms:
- Burning sensation while peeing
- Frequent urination
- Cloudy, dark, bloody or smelly urine
- Tiredness
- The occurrence of fever which indicates kidney infection
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pelvic pain
Risk factors:
- Female anatomy:
A woman has a shorter urethra than a man and hence, bacteria has to travel a shorter distance to reach the bladder. Thus, women are more susceptible to Urinary tract infections than men.
- Sexual activity:
Sexually active women are at higher risk of being infected with UTI compared to sexually inactive women.
- Certain types of birth control:
Use of certain types of birth controls like the diaphragm and spermicidal agents have a higher risk of UTI.
- Menopause:
The decline in estrogen hormone can be a major cause for UTI in most of the menopausal women.
- Pregnancy:
Pregnancy changes the body structure in women because of which urinary tract gets infected and the risk of UTI increases.
- Urinary tract abnormalities:
Babies born with Urinary tract abnormalities that do not allow urine to leave the body or cause urine to back up in urethra have UTIs.
- Blockade in Urinary tract:
Kidney stones can trap the urine in the bladder and increases the risk of UTI.
- A recent urinary procedure:
Urinary surgery or examination of the urinary tract involves the use of a medical instrument that increases the risk of urinary tract infection.
- A suppressed immune system:
Diabetes and other disease systems impair the immune system in the body (the ability of the body to fight against disease) and increases the risk of UTI.
- Others:
Poor personal hygiene, blocked the flow of urine, heavy use of antibiotics (because of which normal flora gets disturbed) can be less common risk factors for UTI.
Complications of UTI:
- Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience two or more UTIs in a six-month period or four or more within a year.
- Permanent kidney damage from acute or chronic kidney infection due to an untreated UTI.
- Increased risk in pregnant women of delivering low birth weight or premature infants.
- Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection, especially if the infection reaches the kidney
Prevention:
- Drink plenty of water and urinate frequently so that infectious bacteria gets flushed out.
- Drink cranberry juice as it contains a tannin that prevents E. coli, the most common pathogen to cause UTI.
- After urinating, wipe from front to back to prevent the entry of bacteria to vagina and urethra.
- It’s important to empty the bladder soon after intercourse and drink a glass of water to flush out the bacteria.
- Avoid irritating feminine products like deodorants sprays in the genital area.
- It’s better to change the birth control method from the diaphragm and spermicidal agents to other alternatives.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine that irritates the bladder.
- Sanitary pads or menstrual cups are preferred over tampons for reducing the risk of UTI.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting to keep the urethra area clean and dry.
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