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How Does A Person Get Urinary Tract Infection

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Urinary Tract Infections And Dementia

Urinary Tract Infection UTI | An Overview| Why you have UTI?

Urinary tract infections are a type of infection common among older people. If a person with a memory impairment or dementia has a UTI, this can cause sudden and severe confusion known as delirium.

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    Over The Counter Medications For Urinary Tract Infections

    • Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
    • Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
    • OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

    How The Urinary Tract Works

    Urine is made by your two kidneys, one on each side of the tummy . Urine drains down tubes called ureters into the bladder. There it is stored and passed out through a tube called the urethra, when you go to the toilet.

    In the average adult patient there should be a urine output of: 0.5-1 ml/kg/hr. This means that an average 70 kg man should produce 35-70 mls an hour. However urine output decreases in older patients and the target urine output should be 0.25-0.5 ml/kg/hr. This means that a 70 kg man who is aged over 65 years should produce 17.5-35 mls per hour.

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    You Wipe From Back To Front

    Wiping from back to front can transport E. coli, the bacteria thats behind most UTIs, from the rectal region to the urethra. Moral of the story: Always wipe from front to back. Al-Badr A, et al. . Recurrent urinary tract infections management in women: A review.

    Urinary Tract Infection In Men

    What happens if I get a UTI or BV during pregnancy?

    Approved by: Maulik P. Purohit MD, MPH

    Urinary Tract Infection is generally caused by a microbe, such as bacteria. Men are at a decreased risk of developing a UTI than women, because of the anatomical structure of the male urinary system. The infection can occur more frequently with increasing age, due to a blockage in the urinary tract, having a bladder catheter, or with a decreased immune system.

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    Can Utis Be Prevented

    A few things can help prevent UTIs. After peeing, girls should wipe from front to back with toilet paper. After BMs, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

    Also, go to the bathroom when needed and don’t hold the pee in. Pee that stays in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.

    Keep the genital area clean and dry. Girls should change their tampons and pads regularly during their periods. Bubble baths can irritate the vaginal area, so girls should take showers or plain baths. Avoid long exposure to moisture in the genital area by not wearing nylon underwear or wet swimsuits. Wearing underwear with cotton crotches is also helpful. Skip using feminine hygiene sprays or douches, as these can irritate the urethra.

    If you are sexually active, go to the bathroom both before and within 15 minutes after sex. After sex, gently wash the genital area to remove any bacteria. Avoid sexual positions that irritate or hurt the urethra or bladder. Couples who use lubrication during sex should use a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly.

    Finally, drinking lots of water each day keeps the bladder active and bacteria-free.

    UTIs are uncomfortable and often painful, but they’re common and easily treated. The sooner you contact your doctor, the sooner you’ll be able to get rid of the problem.

    Prevention Of Urine Infections

    • Drink at least 5 to 6 glasses of water daily
    • Drink a glass of water every hour from waking up in the morning till bedtime. This will help get out the infection from the body
    • Urinating after intercourse or sex helps prevent the spread of urinary tract infection
    • Take care of the cleanliness of the genital area
    • Wear clean and washed clothes
    • Use fruits like cucumber, melon, and cairn berry
    • Eat more green vegetables, green chili, spinach, and salad
    • Do not use foods that contain caffeine

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    Wipe From Front To Back

    According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces gain access to the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.

    Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can lead to infections.

    After urinating, wipe in a way that prevents bacteria from coming into contact with the genitals. Use separate pieces of toilet paper to wipe the genitals and anus.

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    How Are Kidney Infections Treated

    Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Signs & Symptoms (& Why They Occur)

    A physician will treat the disease based on his or her examination. He or she may start the patient on the standard treatment of a course of antibiotics before the lab tests results are available. The medication may change once the exact strain of bacteria is revealed by the lab tests.

    If the treatment is effective, the patient should feel better in two to three days. If not, your healthcare provider will start looking for additional problems. Most antibiotic treatments last for 14 days and it is essential that patients take the pills as recommended for the full 14 days even though symptoms may disappear after a few days. The disappearance of symptoms does not mean all bacteria are killed. Some may remain and the infection may reappear.

    There is also a concern that those bacteria that remain may develop resistance to the medication. For some reason the disease is more difficult to treat in men and they may have to take medication for up to six weeks. Patients with severe illness, those that have significant nausea and vomiting, high fevers, significant pain and signs of dehydration may be hospitalized for a few days while the antibiotics are administered intravenously. Urine samples are taken after about six weeks of treatment and examined to insure the bacterial infection is eradicated.

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    Questions To Ask Your Doctor

    • Do I need any tests, such as urinalysis?
    • What is the likely cause of my urinary tract infection ?
    • Do I need medicine? How should I take it?
    • What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
    • When should I expect relief from my symptoms?
    • What symptoms would indicate that my infection is getting worse? What should I do if I experience these symptoms?
    • I get UTIs a lot. What can I do to prevent them?
    • Do I need preventive antibiotics? If so, should I be concerned about antibiotic resistance?
    • My child gets UTIs a lot. Could an anatomical problem be causing his or her UTIs?

    Check If It’s A Urinary Tract Infection

    Symptoms of a UTI may include:

    • pain or a burning sensation when peeing
    • needing to pee more often than usual during the night
    • pee that looks cloudy
    • needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
    • needing to pee more often than usual
    • lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
    • a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
    • a very low temperature below 36C

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    Can Antibiotics Cause A Uti

    No. Antibiotics get rid of bacteria, they dont cause infections. But, antibiotics can cause changes in the normal healthy balance of microbes in the body. One example of where this can happen is in the vagina. By disturbing the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina, taking antibiotics can make it more likely that youll get a fungal infection like Candida, otherwise known as a yeast infection. This can feel like a UTI, but it isnt.

    Now, this doesnt mean you should never take antibiotics. It does, however, mean that you should only take antibiotics when necessary. Taking antibiotics when you dont need them can cause unnecessary side effects. And when you do take them, you should finish the entire course, even if you start feeling better before your course is over.

    How Common Are Urine Infections

    Saving Our Sons: UTI Resource Page

    Urine infections are much more common in women. This is because in women the urethra – the tube from the bladder that passes out urine – is shorter. Also it opens nearer the back passage than in men. Half of all women will have a urine infection that needs treating in their lifetime.

    Urine infections are less common in men. They are very uncommon in young and middle-aged men. They are more common in older men. They are more likely to occur in men who have to use a catheter. A catheter is a thin, flexible, hollow tube used to drain urine. Older men are more likely to need a catheter because of prostate problems, which become more common with age.

    Urine infections tend to become more common as you get older.

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    How Are Utis Treated

    UTIs are treated with antibiotics. After several days of antibiotics, your doctor may repeat the urine tests to be sure that the infection is gone. Its important to make sure of this because an incompletely treated UTI can come back or spread.

    If someone has a lot of pain from a UTI, the doctor may recommend a medicine to help relieve the spasm and pain in the bladder. This will turn pee a bright orange color, but its harmless and will usually make a person much more comfortable within hours. In the case of a kidney infection, a doctor may prescribe pain medicine.

    If youve finished all the medicine or if your symptoms arent much better after 2 to 3 days of treatment, contact your doctor.

    Drink lots of water during and after treatment because each time you pee, the bladder cleanses itself a little bit more. Cranberry juice may also be helpful. Skip drinks that containe caffeine , such as soda and iced tea.

    People who get a doctors help for a UTI right away should be clear of symptoms within a week. Someone with a more severe infection may need treatment in a hospital so they can get antibiotics by injection or IV .

    A doctor may tell people with UTIs to avoid sex for a week or so, which lets the inflammation clear up completely.

    Can Frequent Urination Be Controlled Or Stopped

    Frequent urination can be controlled, and often, stopped over time and with treatment. Your healthcare provider will usually start by determining the cause of your symptom. If the condition can be treated, you should see a decrease in how often you need to urinate. Treatment depends completely on the condition. In cases like a UTI, you may need an antibiotic medication. This may be prescribed by your healthcare provider and you should feel better once you have finished the medication. Other conditions like diabetes or prostate problems will require a trip to see a specialist. The specialist will work with you to manage your symptoms and improve your daily routine. If your healthcare provider has diagnosed you with overactive bladder syndrome, pelvic floor physical therapy may help and there are actually several medications that can be used to calm your bladder. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether or not these might be good options for you.

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    How E Coli Enters The Urinary Tract

    Urine is mostly made up of water, salt, chemicals, and other waste. While researchers used to think of urine as sterile, its now known that even a healthy urinary tract can host a variety of bacteria. But one type of bacteria not normally found in the urinary tract is E. coli.

    E. coli often gains entry into the urinary tract via stool. Women are particularly at risk for UTIs because their urethra sits close to the anus, where E. coli is present. Its also shorter than a mans, giving the bacteria easier access to the bladder, where the majority of UTIs occur, and the rest of the urinary tract.

    E. coli can spread to the urinary tract in a variety of ways. Common ways include:

    • Improper wiping after using the bathroom. Wiping back to front can carry E. coli from the anus to the urethra.
    • Sex. The mechanical action of sex can move E. coli-infected stool from the anus into the urethra and up the urinary tract.
    • Birth control. Contraceptives that use spermicides, including diaphragms and spermicidal condoms, can kill the healthy bacteria in your body that protect you from bacteria like E. coli. This bacterial imbalance can make you more susceptible to a UTI.
    • Pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the growth of certain bacteria. Some experts also think that the weight of a growing fetus can shift your bladder, making it easier for E. coli to gain access.

    Diagnosing a UTI can involve a two-part process.

    How Centric Healthcare Can Help

    Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Most Commonly Asked Questions – Urology Care Foundation

    It has been well-established by medical researchers that older adults have a greater risk of getting UTI than the rest of the population. At the same time, demographers are projecting that the population of our state and our country continues to age dramatically. Therefore, the impact of UTI on our health will continue to grow.

    Listed below are some of the services offered by Centric Healthcare that can help you and your loved one prevent and manage UTI.

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    What Is My Risk For Uti

    Anyone can get UTI. However, people with SCI have a higher risk than normal.

    • People with SCI who use an indwelling Foley or suprapubic catheter may be at higher risk for UTI than those who use a clean intermittent catheterization technique or have an external sheath or condom catheter.
    • Talk to your health professional about lowering your risk for UTI if you average more than one UTI per year. Your health professional may suggest another method of bladder management that works better for you.
  • Women may be at a higher risk for UTI than men because a womans urethra is shorter and located closer to the anus. This can make it easier for bacteria from the colon to enter the bladder through the urethra.
  • Why Are Some People Prone To Getting A Uti Every Time They Have Sex

    You probably dont get a UTI every time you have sex. But it can feel that way if you come down with UTIs often.

    Sex definitely can trigger the condition. In fact, urinary tract infections have been nicknamed âhoneymoon cystitisâ cystitis is another name for an infection of the bladder because frequent intercourse can lead to the development of a UTI.

    Other reasons you might get recurrent UTIs are: having a new partner, having a family history of them, living with diabetes or pelvic organ prolapse, transitioning to menopause , or having difficulty fully emptying your bladder, Yavagal says.

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    What Happens To Untreated Interstitial Cystitis

    We know that interstitial cystitis is more or less similar to urinary tract infection. Hence, if you leave your condition of IC untreated, it creates a long-lasting effect on the quality of your life you lead. Especially, untreated interstitial cystitis leads to following ill effects-

    Reduction In The Capacity Of Your Bladder: Interstitial cystitis and its underlying symptoms result in stiffening of the urinary bladder walls. This further leads to reducing its capability to hold the amount of urine.

    Low Quality Of Life:Chronic pain in the pelvic area and the problem of frequent urination may interfere with your daily life.

    Problems Related To Sexual Intimacy: Pain and frequent urination may cause strain in your sexual intimacy and other related issues.

    Emotional Stress: Interrupted sleep and chronic form of pain related to interstitial cystitis and its symptoms may sometime cause huge emotional stress followed by depression.

    Kidney Infection: Untreated bladder infections, including the condition of interstitial cystitis, may cause kidney infection to damage the kidneys permanently. Old adults and young children remain at high risk related to kidney damage because of bladder infections.

    Presence Of Blood In The Urine: With interstitial cystitis, you may have certain blood cells in the urine, which are visible only with the microscopic device and they usually resolve with treatment.

    Can Kidney Stones Cause A Uti

    Why You

    Any blockage in the urinary tract like a kidney stone, a bladder stone, or even an enlarged prostate gland in men can lead to a UTI. If you have a small kidney stone that quickly passes through, it likely wont cause a UTI. But a lingering blockage can cause urine to back up and become a breeding ground for any bacteria present.

    Kidney stones and UTIs can cause similar symptoms, like pain when urinating, bloody or cloudy urine, and fever. If you experience any of these symptoms, its important that you see a provider to get diagnosed so you can get the appropriate treatment.

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    What Is The Outlook For Kidney Infections

    With treatment, the outlook for kidney infections is very positive. It is vital that you take all of any prescribed medications for the infection. You may begin feeling better shortly after beginning a treatment, but still need to take the entire prescribed treatment.

    Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 05/22/2019.

    References

    • National Kidney Foundation. Urinary Tract Infections Accessed 5/23/19.
    • National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases . Pyelonephritis: Kidney Infection Accessed 5/23/19.

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