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Saturday, March 22, 2008

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infection - Description

Urinary tract infection is a disease which affects all parts of the urinary tract which includes the bladder,urethra or uretus and even kidneys.These infections are mostly found in young and active people which are caused during the sexual activity and can be transferred to other person very easily. It can be both in adults and children.

This is a very serious health problem which affects millions of people each year.Women are prone to this disease very easily. This disease comes on second number which really affects the body.UTIs are not as common in men as women.The urine that an adult passes through the urinary system is about a quart and a half each day.The amount of urine depends on the fluids and foods which a person consumes every day.

Cause of UTI

Urine is a regular process which we cannot stop.It contains fluids,salts and various waste products and does not contain any bacteria,virus and fungi.The urethra is the tube which carries the urine from the bladder to outside the body.This infection is caused when the small organisms like bacteria cling to the opening of the urethra and multiply in numbers.

When organisms like bacteria multiply, an infection is caused and it leads to pain. When an infection is limited to urethra it is known as urethritis and if bacteria moves to the bladder and causes infection then it is called cystitis.If this infection is not treated properly then it can cause various problems and even can affect kidneys.

Risk of UTIs

Any abnormality like kidney stone can obstructs the flow of urine and can cause infection. Various other enlarged glands can slow down the flow of urine and can increase the risk of infection in the person. Catheters or tubes placed in the urethra and bladder can be a common source of infection. People having diabetes have a greater risk of urinary infection due to the changes in the immune system.

Symptoms of UTIs

The person suffering from UTIs has various symptoms like:-

A frequent urge to urinate. A painful and burning sensation in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination. The urine sometimes looks like milky or cloudy and even red. If the infection reaches to kidney then it can cause pain in the back or below the ribs.

Diagnosis of UTIs

Urinalysis test -

In this test, examination for urine is done for white and red cells. Sensitivity test - This test is performed to examine that which type of bacteria is there in the urine and then the antibiotic can be given according to the treatment. The doctor even can recommend an ultrasound examination to the patient.

Treatment of UTIs

The patient suffering from this disease can be treated by giving antibacterial drugs.These drugs can be given according to the person's history and his tests if it contains the bacteria.The complicated UTIs can be treated by giving the following drugs like Trimpex, Omnipen,Amoxicillin etc.If the infection is not complicated then UTIs can be cured in one or two days of treatment.The doctors advised their patients to take antibiotics for a week for precaution.Some infections like Mycoplasma or Chlamydia require longer treatment.Urinalysis test should be done regularly to test the infection.If the infection extends to kidneys then it requires hospitalization and the patients should be given antibiotic treatment in case of kidney damage.

Prevention of UTIs

  • The patients should not use such products that may irritate the urethra.
  • The patients should take showers instead of baths.
  • Genital area should be cleaned before sexual intercourse.
  • The patient should drink lots of water to remove bacteria from the urinary tract.

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