Prevention Of Urinary Tract Infection In Females

Sterilizing Washcloths For Home Use

Sterilizing washcloths for washing and personal hygiene to help prevent recurrent UTIs may be recommended. This extra step is probably unnecessary for most patients with recurrent infections, but for the more resistant or severe cases, it may be very helpful. Home sterilization of washcloths is only one part of an ongoing program to help prevent these infections. Use only those washcloths purchased for this purpose and remember to wipe correctly, front to back.

Tips for UTI prevention may be summarized as follows:

Chief, Division of Infectious Disease, Navy Medical Center, San Diego

Holding In Your Urine

If you have to go, go! Holding our urine for 6 hours or more may make UTIs more common, as bacteria that does get into the bladder has lots of time to overgrow between voids, Dr. Hawes says. While traveling, for example, it may seem like a good idea to hold tight and keep driving until the next rest area, but do yourself a favor and stopthe extra miles arent worth the risk of a UTI.

How Do I Know If Its Frequent Urination

The characteristics of frequent urination are easy to spot. If you feel the need to pee more than four to eight times in one day, odds are that you have issues with frequent urination. Your healthcare provider may ask you a few questions to confirm this symptom. These could include questions like:

• What medicines are you taking?
• How much fluid do you usually drink?
• Are you drinking more than usual?
• Do you drink alcohol or caffeine?

During a visit, the healthcare provider may also take a urine sample to test for bacteria and white blood cells. UTIs are typically discovered this way. An ultrasound could be used to look for tumors or other structural issues that might be causing frequent urination. Another test you may have is a cystoscopy, which is used to look inside your bladder.

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How Are Kidney Infections Diagnosed

Two common laboratory tests are performed to diagnose kidney infections . A urine sample is examined under a microscope to determine if white and/or red blood cells are present. The urine is also sent to the lab to see if bacteria grow in a urine culture. If a person is very sick, blood cultures may also be sent. The strain of bacteria that are cultured will determine the type of therapy used in your treatment.

Pyelonephritis can often be treated without X-ray studies, unless your doctor suspects there may be an addition problem. CT scans produce images of structures and organs and these scans are usually done without contrast . A renal ultrasound may sometimes suffice for evaluation.

How Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

The recurrence of urinary tract infection can be prevented if you follow a healthy lifestyle. Certain tips that can help you in preventing urinary tract infection include:

• Try emptying your urinary bladder completely whenever you feel an urge to urinate.
• After using the toilet, always wipe yourself from front to back.
• Instead of taking baths, choose showers more frequently
• Increase your intake of water. This will help in flushing out toxins from your body
• Scented bath products, douches, and feminine hygiene spray increase irritation in private parts, so avoid the usage of these products.
• Before a sexual intercourse, cleanse your genitals thoroughly
• Urinate after having a sexual intercourse, to decrease your chances of getting a urinary tract infection.
• Choose the birth control method wisely. You may need to change your method if you are using diaphragm, spermicidal jelly, or unlubricated condoms for sex control. This is because diaphragms can cause an increase in the bacterial growth, whereas spermicidal jelly and unlubricated condoms can cause irritation in your urinary tract.
• Prefer wearing cotton underwears and loose fitted clothes, so that the moisture does not get trapped in your private parts. This is essential because trapped moisture provides a perfect environment for the microorganisms to grow.

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Urinary Tract Infection In Adults

Urinary tract infection is a very common infection especially in females than males which includes organs of the urinary tract. This article discusses urinary tract infection, the rationale of infection, risk factors, causes, and treatment methods.

Urinary Tract Infection is simply defined as infections of the organs of our urinary tract which include the kidney, ureter, urethra, and bladder. Most people suffer from lower urinary tract infections which include bladder and urethra. The infection of the urethra is called urethritis, the bladder is called cystitis, and the kidney is called pyelonephritis.

UTI is more common in women than men due to anatomical reasons. Infection, when get limited to the bladder, will be painful and irritating. However when it involves your kidney then can give serious complications

Are Some People At A Higher Risk Of Getting A Uti

Women get more UTIs than men. This is because women have a shorter urethra the tube that brings urine out of the bladder. This allows bacteria to enter the urethra and bladder more easily.

Also, a womans urethral opening is closer to the anus, where most UTI-causing E.coli bacteria are found.

Other factors that can further increase the risk of UTI include:

• frequent sexual activity

UTIs cant always be avoided, but its possible to reduce your risk of getting one. Here are nine prevention methods that may help you sidestep a UTI.

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Urinate At Least Every Four Hours

Women who go more than four hours without urinating have an increased risk of developing a UTI, as voiding infrequently gives bacteria more time to accumulate in the bladder, which can lead to an infection. Urinating at least every four hours ensures that any unwanted bacteria is flushed out of the bladder before it causes an infection.

Ideas To Talk To Your Doctor About

If you get a lot of UTIs, your doctor may consider:

• A daily low dose of antibiotics, taken for 6 months or longer
• Having you test yourself for a UTI at home when you have symptoms
• Taking a single dose of antibiotics after having sex

If youâve gone through menopause, you could ask about estrogen vaginal cream. After menopause, women have less estrogen in their bodies, which can cause vaginal dryness and make the urinary tract more vulnerable to infection. The treatment can help balance the areaâs pH factor and allow âgoodâ bacteria to flourish again.

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What Are The Causes Of Dysuria

There are many causes of dysuria. Also know that doctors cant always identify the cause.

WOMEN: Painful urination for women can be the result of:

• Bladder infection .
• Urinary tract infection.
• Endometritis and other causes outside the urinary tract, including diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
• Inflammation of the bladder or urethra . Inflammation is usually caused by an infection.

The inflammation may also be caused by sexual intercourse, douches, soaps, scented toilet paper, contraceptive sponges or spermicides.

Normal female anatomy

MEN: Painful urination for men may be the result of:

• Urinary tract infection and other infections outside the urinary tract, including diverticulosis and diverticulitis.
• Prostate disease.
• Cancer.

Normal male anatomy

Painful urination for men and women may be the result of a sexually transmitted infections or the side effect of medications. Chemotherapy cancer drugs or radiation treatments to the pelvic area may inflame the bladder and cause painful urination.

Urinary Infections In Children

A urinary infection in a child needs to be investigated as it may indicate a more serious condition.

The most common urinary system condition is urinary reflux. With this condition, the bladder valve isnt working properly and allows urine to flow back to the kidneys, increasing the risk of a kidney infection.

Urinary reflux and the associated infections can scar or permanently damage the kidney, and can also lead to:

• high blood pressure
• toxaemia in pregnancy
• kidney failure.

Urinary reflux tends to run in families, so its important to screen children as early as possible if a close relative is known to have the problem.

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What Causes Urinary Tract Infections

Normal urine is sterile and contains fluids, salts, and waste products. It does not contain bacteria, viruses, or fungi. A UTI occurs when germs, most often bacteria from the digestive tract, get into the opening of the urethra and start to multiply.

Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, which normally live in the colon.

How To Prevent Utis When Youre Sexually Active

You don’t have to stop having sex to prevent UTIs. Here are some steps you can take to minimize bacteria buildup and reduce your risk of getting UTIs from sex.

• Urinate before sex and promptly after. This will flush your system and keep bacteria that has entered your urinary tract from gaining a foothold.
• Clean your genital and anal areas before and after sex.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, then have an extra glass after intercourse. This will help rid your urinary tract of unwanted bacteria.
• Use a vaginal lubricant. Friction during sex can irritate the urethra.
• Consider a new form of birth control. If youre prone to UTIs, you may want to avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide as your form of pregnancy prevention. These can introduce bacteria into the area and can kill off healthy bacteria that keep the problem germs in check.

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How Can Urinary Tract Infection Be Treated

The treatment plan for urinary tract infection depends on the causative agent causing this infection.

• The bacterial infections are treated using antibacterial drugs, whereas antiviral and antifungal drugs are used to treat the virus and fungi infection.
• The oral antibiotics are given to treat the infections occurring in your lower tract.
• The intravenous antibiotics are used for the treatment of infections occurring in the upper urinary tract.
• The medicines for urinary tract infection are prescribed for the shortest possible duration to prevent development of antibiotic resistance among the microorganisms.
• The course of antibiotics and its duration that best suits your health condition is determined by your urine culture.

The recurrent urinary tract infections are very common. It is estimated that 1 in every 5 females have recurrent UTI. The recurrent urinary tract infection is known as chronic UTI and it generally occurs because of different stains of bacteria or because of antibiotic resistant bacteria. The treatment protocols that can be advised by the doctor for the treatment of chronic UTI include:

• A very small dose of antibiotics for a prolonged period
• Antibiotics can be taken for 1-2 days once the symptom appears
• Taking a single dose of antibiotic after the sexual intercourse.
• A non-antibiotic prophylaxis treatment can also be considered.

Microbiology Of Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary infection is rarely secondary to an underlying structural abnormality but rather the interaction between uropathogens and the normal urothelium. This interaction occurs as a result of the colonization of the vaginal and periurethral area with uropathogens originating from the gut. For unknown host factors, probably genetic, women who tend to have rUTI have an inclination to have a prolonged and heavier colonization with uropathogens.

One of the main bacterial virulence features is the binding of the uropathogen to the mucosal cellular layer. It has been well studied that Escherichia coli type 1 fimbria is heavily associated with cystitis, and other pathogenic-fimbriated strains are associated with pyelonephritis. Furthermore, these pathogenic fimbriae are associated with persistent colonization of the urothelium and eliciting an inflammatory response. It has been also theorized that these bacteria can mature into biofilms in the urothelial barrier to cause recurrence of infections and elude the host immune system.

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Prevent Utis At Home: 5 Natural Tips

2020-07-2828 July 2020

If youve ever had a urinary tract infection , you will probably do anything to avoid another one! A UTI is an infection of the urinary system, which is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urine is normally sterile, but UTIs are caused when bacteria enter the urine. This can lead to a bladder infection or a kidney infection .

Symptoms of a UTI include:

• A burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urges to urinate
• Bladder or lower abdominal pressure
• Hematuria

After a UTI is diagnosed, antibiotics are usually prescribed. Because UTIs are common, prevention is important. Keep reading for the five foods and supplements to add to your diet to reduce the chances of contracting a UTI.

Seek Medical Attention For Utis

It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.

Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics.

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How To Prevent Getting A Uti

• Maintain good general hygiene.
• Wipe from front to back after a bathroom visit to avoid transferring bowel bacteria to the urinary tract.
• Remove soiled incontinence products from front to back.
• Dont over-wash or use harsh soap in your genital area as it can cause imbalance and irritation.
• Use TENA ProSkin Cleansing Cream to clean if the skin is fragile, and TENA ProSkin Barrier Cream for protection.
• Dry the skin when changing hygiene products, since bacteria grow in moist areas.
• Make sure to properly hydrate.
• If you have problems emptying your bladder completely, make sure to sit properly, leaning slightly forward with your feet resting on the floor or footstool. You can also stand up and sit down a few times to get the last drops out.
• Use high-quality, breathable TENA incontinence products with a dry surface.
• Vaginal estrogen treatment is often recommended to prevent UTIs.

Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:

• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
• Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
• Females, wipe from front to back to keep bacteria around the anus from going in the vagina or urethra.
• Take showers instead of tub baths.
• Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
• Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
• Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
• Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.

Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.

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How Is A Uti Diagnosed

To find out whether you have a UTI, your doctor or nurse will test a clean sample of your urine. This means you will first wipe your genital area with a special wipe. Then you will collect your urine in midstream in a cup. Your doctor or nurse may then test your urine for bacteria to see whether you have a UTI, which can take a few days.

If you have had a UTI before, your doctor may order more tests to rule out other problems. These tests may include:

• A cystogram. This is a special type of x-ray of your urinary tract. These x-rays can show any problems, including swelling or kidney stones.
• A cystoscopic exam. The cystoscope is a small tube the doctor puts into the urethra to see inside of the urethra and bladder for any problems.

General Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infection

There are certain symptoms that usually occur in any type of urinary tract infection. These symptoms can be an indication of the infection. The most common symptoms of urinary tract infection include:

• A persistent and strong urge to urinate
• Experiencing a burning sensation while urinating
• Increased frequency of urination that passes only a small amount of urine at frequent intervals
• Passing urine that appears cloudy
• The presence of blood in the urine can be indicated by bright pink, red, or cola-colored urine
• Excreting urine that has a strong smell
• Women might also feel pain in the centre of the pelvis region

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How To Feel Better

If your healthcare professional prescribes you antibiotics:

• Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
• Do not share your antibiotics with others.
• Do not save antibiotics for later. Talk to your healthcare professional about safely discarding leftover antibiotics.

Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Your healthcare professional might also recommend medicine to help lessen the pain or discomfort. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics.