Pay attention to your Urinary Tract Infection.

UTI

November 19, 2019

Has it ever occurred to you like you go to the bathroom and feel a burning sensation when you urinate? Well, you should know that this feeling is a telltale symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are inconvenient and uncomfortable for sure. But beyond feeling miserable from the pelvic pain, frequent urination and that burning feeling, there’s a more serious consequence: A UTI can result in kidney damage if left untreated. This blog talks about its causes, symptoms, complications, prevention, diagnosis, and more.

UTI Causes

Common causes of urinary tract infection include the following.

Kidney stones
Frequent sex
Diabetes
Low immunity
Spermicidal and tampons
Antibiotics
Backflow of urine
Avoidance in passing urine for a long time
Enlarged prostate
Pregnancy
Obesity
Use of non-lubricated condoms or diaphragms for birth control

UTI Symptoms

Once the bacteria settle in, they wreak havoc and can cause a laundry list of UTI symptoms that include the following.

Pelvic or abdominal pain
Frequent or painful urination
Sensation to urinate even if your bladder is empty
Cloudy or reddish urine
Nausea and vomiting
Fever or chills
Lower back pain

UTI Complications

Listed below are the UTI complications.

Chronic UTIs
The nephrotic syndrome that involves loss of protein in the urine, resulting in fluid retention (swelling of the body)
Hydronephrosis or swelling of the kidneys due to an obstruction in any part of the urinary tract, commonly seen in kidney stones
Permanent kidney damage, leading to scar formation, affecting kidney functioning and resulting in chronic and non-responding anemia, high blood pressure and kidney failure
Pre-term delivery or delivery before the completion of nine months of pregnancy
Septicemia or blood poisoning due to the spread of infection

UTI Prevention

Some simple lifestyle changes might help you to prevent UTI. These steps help to reduce the chance of bacteria entering the urinary tract which is the main cause of UTI. Make sure to:

Empty your bladder more often: Don’t hold it when you feel the urge to go. It is advised to empty your bladder at least every four hours during the day. And urinating after intercourse can help to wash bacteria away from the urethral opening.
Practice safer wiping and cleaning: Wiping from front to back help to avoid bacterial contamination. Avoid irritating feminine products with fragrances. Instead, wash with water whenever possible.
Wear loose clothing: You should avoid tight-fitting clothes. Cotton underwear lets the skin to breathe more easily than synthetic fabrics like polyester. If you can, don’t wear underwear for a few hours in the day.
Switch your sanitary supplies: Tampons might be a better choice if you have recurrent UTI because they keep the bladder opening drier than pads. The pads retain bacteria right up against your urethra. Using a tampon helps you to stay dry which limits the growth of the bacteria that cause UTI. If you use incontinence pads then you are at increased risk of infection. If you do wear pads, be sure to change them often.

UTI Diagnosis

At Dr Batra’s™, they carry out the following steps to diagnose cases of UTI.

A comprehensive, clinical evaluation including understanding signs and symptoms in order to recognize upper or lower UTI.
Their doctors will evaluate a detailed medical history of your present and past illnesses.
Based on identified causes, triggering and risk factors, their doctors will provide guidance for self-care and lifestyle management.
Blood test and urine analysis are necessary to understand the extent of infection.
An X-Ray, ultrasonography or expert opinion might be considered in complicated or long-standing cases of UTI.