How to banish those UTI blues

When we talk about the urinary system we are referring to the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. These organs are also responsible for collecting urine from the body and excreting it.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is when any part of this urinary system is infected. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract which includes the bladder and urethra. Women are at a greater risk of developing a UTI than men.

If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys.

Doctors usually treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics because they are mainly caused by bacteria. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself from getting a UTI.

Symptoms

Urinary tract infections don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they are:

• A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away.
• A burning feeling or pain when urinating.
• Frequently passing small amounts of urine.
• Urine that looks cloudy.
• Urine that appears red, bright-pink or dark, especially when there is blood in the urine.
• Strong-smelling urine.
• Pelvic pain in women, especially in the centre of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone. In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions

Types of urinary tract infections

The symptoms usually depend on which part of the urinary tract is affected.

Kidneys: Symptoms will be back pain, high fever, shaking and chills, nausea and vomiting.

Bladder: You will feel pelvic pressure, lower belly discomfort, frequent, painful urination and blood in the urine.

Urethra: Burning when passing urine and a possible urethral discharge.

Causes

UTIs typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to spread in the bladder.

The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria, but may not always be successful in doing that. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full blown infection in the urinary tract.

The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.

• A bladder infection is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the gastro intestinal tract (stomach, intestines, anus). Other bacteria lead to less common causes.
• Having sex, especially unprotected sex, may also lead to a bladder infection.
• All women are at risk of bladder infections because of their anatomy. In women, the urethra is close to the anus and the urethral opening is close to the bladder. This makes it easier for bacteria around the anus to enter the urethra and to travel to the bladder.

Risk factors

Many women experience more than one UTI during their lifetimes.

Risk factors for UTIs that are specific to women include:

Female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men. As a result, there’s a shorter distance for bacteria to travel to reach the bladder.
Sexual activity. Being sexually active tends to lead to more UTIs. Having a new sexual partner also increases the risk.
Certain contraceptives like intrauterine devices or diaphragms may increase the risk of UTIs.
Menopause. After menopause, changes in hormonal levels can increase the risk of UTIs.

Other risk factors for UTIs include:

• Urinary tract problems. Babies born with anatomical abnormalities with their urinary tracts may have trouble urinating. Urine can back up in the urethra, which can cause UTIs.

• Anything that can block the urinary tract. Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate for example can increase infection risks.

• A weak or suppressed immune system. Diabetes, HIV, other chronic diseases or treatments can increase the risk of UTIs.

• Catheter use. People who can’t urinate on their own must often use a tube, called a catheter, to urinate. Using a catheter increases the risk of UTIs. Catheters may be used by people who are in hospital. They may also be used by people who have neurological problems that make it difficult to control urination or those who are paralysed.

• A recent urinary procedure. Urinary surgery or an exam of your urinary tract that involves medical instruments can increase the risk of developing a UTI.

Complications

When treated promptly and properly, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. But if left untreated, UTIs can cause serious health problems.

Complications of a UTI may include:

• Repeated infections, which means you have two or more UTIs within six months or three or more in a year. Women are especially prone to getting repeated infections.

• Permanent kidney damage from a kidney infection due to an untreated UTI.

• Delivering a low birth-weight or premature infant when a UTI occurs during pregnancy.

• A narrowed urethra in men from having repeated infections of the urethra.

• Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. This is a risk especially if the infection travels up the urinary tract to the kidneys.

Prevention

These steps may help lower the risk of UTIs:

• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps to dilute the urine. This leads to urinating more often and allowing bacteria to be flushed from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.

• Wipe from front to back. Do this after urinating and after a bowel movement. It helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the vagina and urethra.

• Empty your bladder soon after having sex. Also drink a full glass of water to help flush out bacteria.

• Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using them in the genital area can irritate the urethra. These products include deodorant sprays, douches and powders.

• Change your birth control method if advised that it increases your risk of infections.

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