Friday, March 22, 2024

Can A Urinary Tract Infection Kill You

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How Do You Know When A Uti Becomes A Kidney Infection

Dr. David Samadi – Did You Know That Urinary Tract Infections Can Kill You?

When you do not see a doctor, a urinary tract infection can swiftly turn into a kidney infection, which can be very serious to your long-term health.

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common types of infection, second only to respiratory infections. They account for over 8.3 million visits to hospitals and health care providers each year. An untreated UTI may lead to a kidney infection, this is a potentially life-threatening condition.

Increased Frequency Of Urination

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common causes of frequent urination.

Frequent urination is defined as the need to urinate more than usual. This symptom is often confused with urinary urgency. It is an inconvenient symptom that can greatly disrupt daily life for a person with UTI.

The byproducts of the infection will create inflammation and irritation in the linings of the urethra and bladder. As a result, the irritation of the bladder wall creates the urge to empty the bladder frequently.

Furthermore, the bladder also often feels full. During each trip to the bathroom, the amount of urine is often less than the usual amount.

The bladder also sends confusing signals to the brain. The body would feel the need to pee even when the bladder might not be full.

Typically, the bladder can often hold as much as 600 ml of urine . The urge to urinate is usually felt when the bladder contains about 150 ml of urine .

Most people urinate between 4 to 8 times, depending on fluid intake, over a 24-hour period.

Preventing Urinary Tract Infections And Kidney Infections

Urinary tract infections and kidney infections can generally be prevented through similar means.

If you suffer from any symptoms of a urinary tract or kidney infection, talk to your doctor immediately. The faster you act, the more effective the treatment.

If you experience any symptoms of urinary tract infection or kidney infection, call or book online with PlushCare to set up a phone or video appointment with a top U.S. doctor today.

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Urinary Tract Infections Obgyn Brockton Ma

As many as one of every two women will experience one or more urinary tract infections in their lifetime with many women having repeat infections, sometimes for years on end. Characterized by an intense burning sensation down there that is made worse when urinating any woman who has had a UTI will tell you that it can be excruciatingly painful. Other symptoms of a UTI can include frequent or intense urges to urinate , pain in the back or abdomen, and fever or chills.

And while drinking large amounts of water or cranberry juice can ease the symptoms of a UTI, prescription antibiotics are the only way to kill the bacteria responsible for the infection. For this reason it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible after symptoms of the urinary tract infection appear. If treated right away, a UTI is easily cured. But if a UTI is left untreated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and other parts of the body. In rare cases a life threatening infection can even move into the bloodstream.

At ESP Medical we have helped hundreds of women get free of the pain and discomfort of urinary tract infections with rapid diagnosis and effective medications. If you are experience the painful symptoms of a UTI call us right away and we will get you in immediately so you can get relief.

Researchers Use Antibiotics Combo To Kill First Strain Of Highly Resistant E Coli In Us

How to Treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with 10 Home Remedies

A novel combination of aztreonam, amikacin and polymyxin B was able to kill E. coli carrying mcr-1 and ndm-5 genes that make the bacterium immune to last-resort antibiotics. Courtesy of Douglas Levere, University at Buffalo

The golden age of antibiotics may be drawing to a close. The recent discovery of E. coli carrying mcr-1 and ndm-5 genes that make the bacterium immune to last-resort antibiotics has left clinicians without an effective means of treatment for the superbug. But in a new study, University at Buffalo researchers have assembled a team of three antibiotics that, together, are capable of eradicating the deadly bacterium. The groundbreaking research was recently published in mBio, a journal for the American Society of Microbiology.

The researchers found that a novel combination of aztreonam, amikacin and polymyxin B a last-resort antibiotic was able to kill E. coli carrying mcr-1 and ndm-5 genes within 24 hours while also preventing regrowth. Traditional combinations of these antibiotics were unable to kill the E. coli and resulted in rapid resistance.

This is the first study to propose therapeutic solutions with three drugs against superbugs harboring mcr-1 and ndm-5. The results will help prepare clinicians for future occurrences of these pathogens.

To avoid prescribing high dosages of polymyxins and to make up for the antibiotics weaknesses, the researchers decided to turn to new dosing strategies and multiple antibiotic combinations.

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When To See Your Doctor

See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency — but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.

Silent Utis: How They Start

That weekend was supposed to be so fun. I always looked forward to hosting my grandchildren, who lived 45 miles away, overnight. But this time my extreme fatigue stole most of the energy and joy from our precious time together. The strange thing is, it wasnt the I probably did too much yesterday kind of fatigue. It was concerning, Mashunkashey said. That heavy blanket of fatigue covered me the rest of the week. All I wanted to do was lie down, and that just wasnt like me Im not a napping kind of person. She visited her doctor to ask about the exhaustion, but her doctor couldnt provide an answer.

This wasnt like other health issues Id had in the past, though. Years earlier I was prone to urinary tract infections. I once had six in the span of six months. I dreaded that unmistakable backache, the painful urination, and the urgency to pee, not to mention the doctors appointments and prescription co-pays for all those antibiotics. Thankfully, I seemed to have outgrown UTIs, but this new health complaint was such a mystery It worried me, Mashunkashey said.

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How Can A Uti Lead To A Sepsis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sepsis is the body’s extreme response to an infection. A simple infection can trigger a “chain reaction” in the body, and without treatment, sepsis can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

With UTIs in particular, “the amount of bacteria overwhelm the bladder system, and the bacteria leaves the bladder and enters the blood chain because you have blood vessels that run through your bladder,” Phillips explained. The amount of bacteria can make this more likely to occur, as can the type of bacteria. Some types are more prone than others to leave the urinary system, Phillips said.

How To Wash Hands To Avoid Infection

Did Actress Tanya Roberts Lose Her Life to a Urinary Tract Infection?

While opting for a hand sanitizer may seem like a smart choice when no running water is close by, know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any products claiming to prevent E. coli infection.

Its also very important to follow certain food preparation and cooking rules. Here is what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to do:

  • Wash produce. Wash well under running water. Be sure to open up leafy greens, since E. coli can hide in the crevices.
  • Cook beef thoroughly. Cook to an internal temperature of at least 145 degrees F for beef steak and roasts and at least 160 degrees F for ground beef and pork.
  • Avoid cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards for meats and produce, and clean counters and utensils after contact with raw meat.

Finally, do not consume any unpasteurized dairy products, unpasteurized juices, or raw milk. And avoid swallowing water when swimming in lakes, ponds, streams, swimming pools, and even backyard kiddie pools.

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How Do I Know If The Treatment Isnt Working

If the treatment isnt working, your symptoms will stay the same, get worse, or you will develop new symptoms. Call your doctor if you have a fever , chills, lower stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. You should also call your doctor if, after taking medicine for 3 days, you still have a burning feeling when you urinate. If you are pregnant, you should also call your doctor if you have any contractions.

Are There Any Home Remedies For A Urinary Tract Infection

The best home remedy for a UTI is prevention . However, although there are many home remedies available from web sites, holistic medicine publications, and from friends and familymembers there is controversy about them in the medical literature as few have been adequately studied. However, a few remedies will be mentioned because there may be some positive effect from these home remedies. The reader should be aware that while reading about these remedies , they should not to overlook the frequent admonition that UTIs can be dangerous. If the person does not experience relief or if his or her symptoms worsen over 1 to 2 days, the person should seek medical care. In fact, many of the articles about UTI remedies actually describe ways to reduce or prevent UTIs. Examples of home treatments that may help to prevent UTIs, that may have some impact on an ongoing infection, and that are unlikely to harm people are as follows:

There are over-the-counter tests available for detecting presumptive evidence for a UTI . These tests are easy to use and can provide a presumptive diagnosis if the test instructions are carefully followed a positive test should encourage the person to seek medical care.

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Soothe Your Infection With Ginger Tea

  • Add 2 tablespoons of fresh crushed ginger to boiling water.
  • Let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Strain it and drink 2 to 3 cups a day. Add honey for a better taste.

Ginger has antimicrobial properties that work against a variety of bacterial strains.20

While chewing on a piece of ginger will also have positive effects, its best to consume it as a tea to treat your UTI. The more liquid you drink, the faster you flush out UTI bacteria.

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What Is A Uti

Can Cranberry Capsules Help Treat and Prevent Urinary Tract Infections ...

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria ends up in your urinary tract. Were not talking about the good kind of bacteriathe kind that keeps you alive and healthybut the bad kind like E. coli. This does not belong anywhere near your urethra or bladder, because when it does take up residence there, it can cause an infection.

UTIs generally fall into two categories:

  • Lower tract UTIs: These are concentrated in the urethra and bladder, a.k.a. the lower urinary tract. If located in the bladder, the UTI is called a bladder infection or cystitis. Lower UTIs make up the vast majority of UTIs and are easily treated with antibiotics.
  • Upper tract UTIs: These UTIs are more rare and serious. Upper tract UTIs usually occur when an untreated lower tract UTI spreads to the kidneys. A kidney infection requires medical intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Common lower tract UTI symptoms include:

  • Pain or burning sensation during urination
  • Having the urge to urinate frequently
  • Blood in the urine
  • Cramping or general discomfort in the lower abdomen

Upper tract UTIs share some of the same symptoms of lower tract UTIs, though more common symptoms are:

  • Body chills
  • Lower back pain

Understanding what causes a UTI may help you prevent one before it happens. Here are the risk factors:

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Watch For Early Signs Of Infection

You may notice warning signs before you start to experience symptoms of UTI.

  • Gritty sediment in the urine.
  • Mucus in the urine. This is often a sign of high levels of bacteria in the
  • Dark, cloudy or bad smelling urine.

If you notice any of these, you might be able to fend off UTI.

  • Cut back on drinking liquids with alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.
  • Drink more water to help wash out more of the bacteria.
  • If you do intermittent catheterization, do it more often. If you use an indwelling catheter, change it.

Consider changing it again after the early signs of infection have gone away.

Why Antibiotics Might Not Work

Sometimes antibiotic treatment doesnt do the trick. This may occur when the bacteria causing the UTI become antibiotic resistant, meaning they outsmart and outlive the antibiotic.

See, bacteria have this amazing ability to mutate to evade being killed. And after being attacked multiple times by the same antibiotics we use on lots of people, the bacteria can learn to resist them. Some research estimates that as many as one in three uncomplicated UTIs are resistant to at least one common antibiotic. And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.8 million people in the U.S. get an antibiotic-resistant infection every year.

This sounds bad, and thats fair: Its not great news. But this doesnt spell doomsday either.

If your UTI isnt responding to treatment with one antibiotic, your doctor may prescribe another type of antibiotic. Most bacteria arent resistant to all the antibiotics out there, so chances are your urologist or primary care doctor has encountered this situation before and knows how to help.

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How Typical Is Lower Back Pain

Around 4 out of five people have lower back pain at some time in their lives. It is among the most typical reasons people check out healthcare providers.

Some people are more probable to have lower back pain than others. Danger factors for lower back pain include:

Age: Individuals over 30 have much more back pain. Disks deteriorate with age. As the disks weaken and also wear down, pain as well as stiffness can result.

Weight: People who are obese or bring added weight are more likely to have back pain. Excess weight puts pressure on joints and also disks. Overall wellness: Compromised stomach muscles cant support the spine, which can lead to back strains and sprains.

People who smoke, drink alcohol excessively or live a sedentary way of life have a higher risk of back pain.

Line of work as well as way of life: Jobs as well as tasks that need hefty training or bending can boost the threat of a back injury.

Structural issues: Extreme back pain can result from conditions, such as scoliosis, that transform back positioning.

Condition: People that have a family history of osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer and also other condition have a greater risk of low back pain. Psychological health and wellness: Back pain can arise from anxiety and anxiousness.

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Antibiotics For A Uti

Urinary Tract Infections

The form of antibiotic used to treat a bacterial UTI usually depends on which part of the tract is involved.

Lower tract UTIs can usually be treated with oral antibiotics. Upper tract UTIs require intravenous antibiotics. These antibiotics are put directly into your veins.

Sometimes, bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. To reduce your risk of antibiotic resistance, your doctor will likely put you on the shortest treatment course possible. Treatment typically lasts no more than 1 week.

Results from your urine culture can help your doctor select an antibiotic treatment that will work best against the type of bacteria thats causing your infection.

Treatments other than antibiotics for bacterial UTIs are being examined. At some point, UTI treatment without antibiotics may be an option for bacterial UTIs by using cell chemistry to change the interaction between the body and the bacteria.

There are no home remedies that can cure a UTI, but there are some things that you can do that can help your medication work better.

These home remedies for UTIs, like drinking more water, may help your body clear the infection faster.

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It Turns Out Urine Is Not Sterile

It has become common knowledge that urine is sterile its even become ingrained in first aid advice, like urinating on a wound is better than using non-sterile water. But it turns out its not.

The bladder has its own unique microbiome, and an ideal balance of microbes that your body does its best to maintain.

Studies have found hundreds of different bacteria in healthy bladders. And in patients with UTIs, they have found even more. Thats a lot of different bacteria that were assumed not to exist in the bladder!

Because UTI test techniques have always assumed urine is sterile, they have always been flawed.

This contamination may actually be bacteria from inside the bladder that should be considered as part of the puzzle. Results may also show insignificant levels of growth that are then often dismissed.

Its important to acknowledge here that actual sample contamination is also a real possibility, so minimizing this is also important. Weve discussed this more below.

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