Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection is an infection caused by microbes in any part of your urinary system, kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The urinary tract can be divided into two parts, the upper urinary tract and the lower urinary tract.  Most of the infections are in the lower part of your urinary system, bladder and urethra. But UTIs can also affect the upper part of your urinary system kidney and ureters but in rare cases. These infections are mainly caused by bacteria or fungi and by viruses in rare cases. The microbes cause the inflammation of your urinary system. Urinary tract infections are the most common type of infections reported in humans.  Women are at higher risk for developing UTIs than men. UTIs are about 50 times more common in women. People with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, kidney stones, stroke, hormonal changes and spinal cord injury are at higher risk for developing UTIs. The most common UTIs in women are cystitis and pyelonephritis and in men are urethritis and prostatitis. The most common symptoms reported in urinary tract infections are painful and burning sensations when urinating. The UTIs can be cured within 2-5 days of treatment.

Types

Urinary tract infections are divided into four main types depending upon the location of infection.

1. Cystitis

It is an inflammation of your bladder and causes irritation and swelling. It increases the frequency of urination and feeling of pain and discomfort during urination.

2. Pyelonephritis

It is inflammation of your one or both kidneys. It causes fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and flank tenderness. It also causes feelings of pain and burning sensations when urinating.

3. Urethritis

It is an inflammation of urethra induced by infection. It causes an increased frequency of urination and a feeling of pain and burning sensations when urinating.

4. Prostatitis

It is inflammation of your prostate glands. It causes feelings of pain and burning sensations when urinating, difficulty urine and increased urine frequency.

Causes

Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria when they enter the urinary system and begin to multiply in the bladder. The most common bacteria involved in UTIs are escherichia coli (E. coli), chlamydia and mycoplasma. Approximately 80% cases of urinary tract infections are caused by escherichia coli (E. coli).  The remaining 20% cases are caused by negative enteric bacteria such as klebsiella, proteus and gram positive cocci such as streptococcus faecalis & staphylococcus saprophyticus. The viruses responsible for causing urinary tract infections are rubella, mumps and HIV. Candida and histoplasma capsulatum are the fungal organisms involved in causing urinary tract infections.  Some protozoa such as schistosoma haematobium and trichomonas vaginalis can also  cause UTIs but in rare cases.

Symptoms

The symptoms of urinary tract infections depend upon the part of the urinary tract system infected. The most common symptoms of urinary tract infections are discussed below,

• Burning sensations when urinating
• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased urine urgency
• Dark, Bloody, cloudy urine that resembles cola or tea with strong odor
• Pelvic pain in women
• Rectal pain in men
• Chills and fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flank tenderness
• Muscle aches
• Feeling of pain or pressure in your lower abdomen and back

Treatment

The treatment plan of urinary tract infections depend upon the causative agent. Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment in urinary tract infections. The choice of antibiotics depends upon the part of the urinary system affected. Oral antibiotics are given for the treatment of lower UTIs and intravenous antibiotics are recommended for the treatment of upper UTIs. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics maximum for one week to avoid the development of resistance. The most commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs are levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, cephalexin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, methenamine hippurate, trimethoprim, and nalidixic acid. Your doctor can also prescribe analgesic for the management of pain and burning sensation when urinating. Antipyretic drugs are given for the reduction of fever. You should drink plenty of water and cranberry juice if you are suffering from UTIs. You should use a heat compress on lower abdominal parts for minimizing the pressure.