Urinary Tract Infection
Welcome to UrinaryTractInfections.org, a comprehensive library of informative content related to various aspects of urinary tract infections.
What are Urinary Tract Infections?
Urinary tract infections, also commonly referred to as UTIs, are infections anywhere within the urinary tract that are caused by pathogenic bacteria, and rarely, fungi, parasites, or viruses. For this reason, bladder infections (also commonly referred as cystitis), and kidney infections (pyelonephritis), are also classified as urinary tract infections.
UTIs can range from minor recurrent annoyances to extremely painful acute episodes that require more aggressive treatment. Urinary tract infections are categorized based on the location of the infection, with lower UTIs affecting the urethra, bladder, and reproductive organs, while upper urinary tract infections affect the kidneys and their ureters (small muscular tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
What Are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections?
The symptoms of a UTI can develop gradually or come on rapidly, and can range from asymptomatic (without symptoms) to severe pain-causing infection. The first symptom of a urinary tract infection is sometimes, but not always, a burning sensation while urinating. The sensation usually originates at the tip of the urethra, where urine exits the body.
As the infection progresses up the urethra towards the bladder, the burning sensation becomes more severe and the pain can sometimes radiate throughout the entire groin area during urination. UTIs caused by STDs tends to cause the discharge of pus from the urethra, ranging in color from yellow to white (the darker the pus, the more severe the infection). If the bladder becomes infected it can become sensitive to even a small amount of urine, so the patient may begin to notice a frequent urge to urinate. Women may notice a foul-smelling odor in the genital area, which may also be a sign that the infection has spread to the vaginal canal.
While even basic UTIs should be treated as soon as possible, any symptoms that indicate a kidney infection should be brought to the attention of the medical professional immediately, in order to avoid damage to the kidney. Signs that a lower urinary tract infection could be ascending to the kidneys are:
- Pain in the lower back and flank (the area on your side between your ribs and hips). The pain may be transient and intermittent, or a constant progressive ache. It may be a sharp stabbing sensation (sometimes indicative of kidney stones or abscesses), or it may be a dull ache that ranges form minor to severe.
- Low grade fever that may progress to a high fever if the infection is not treated.
- Changes in urinary habits (i.e. – urinating less or more than usual based on your fluid intake)
- Changes in urine color
What Treatments Are There for Urinary Tract Infections?
The conventional course of therapy for urinary tract infections is antibiotics rest, restriction of fluids that are high in sugars (i.e. – sodas and juices), and plenty of water intake. Common antibiotics prescribed for urinary tract infections include fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin, tetracyclines such as doxycycline, and Sulfa drugs like Bactrim. Unfortunately, some people have potentially severe reactions to different antibiotics, and others are infected by a pathogen that has become resistant to antibiotic treatment.
For individuals that have not had success with conventional treatments, and are prone to recurrent UTI, there may be hope in alternative treatments.
Acids within cranberry juice have been scientifically proven to limit the ability of pathogenic bacteria to attach themselves to the inner wall of the bladder, urethra, ureters, and even the the tiny filtering tubules kidney. It is important to note that many cranberry juices sold in stores are diluted with water and other juices, and mixed with sugars. One would have to drink 32 to 64 ounces of pure undiluted cranberry juice per day to acidify the urine to the point that it becomes slightly bactericidal (kills bacteria).
Thus, cranberry juice is usually not recommended for severe or particularly virulent infections, however it has been found to be an effective preventative measure, and can be used to cure minor to moderate urinary tract infections. Many people have been able to keep chronic infections under control with daily consumption of pure cranberry juice. There are also a plethora of herbs that have been traditionally used to alleviate the symptoms of urinary tract infections.
Can Urinary Tract Infections Cause Complications?
If left unabated and untreated, the disease process associated with a urinary tract infection can rapidly progress, leading to increasingly damaged tissue in the urinary tract, and eventually a bladder infection. As the infection continues to deteriorate the internal walls of the urinary tract the pain becomes more severe, and there may be blood found in the urine. In some cases, the damage to the urinary tract can be so severe that causes chronic pain problems. In females, recurrent or acute untreated urinary tract infections can cause prolonged pelvic inflammatory disease. Both sexes can be afflicted by urethral stricture, which is the buildup of scar tissue within the urethra caused by severe infection.
Perhaps the most serious possible complication associated with urinary tract infections is a kidney infection. If the bacteria ascends to the upper urinary tract through the ureters and into the kidneys it can cause a kidney infection, which is a serious, potentially life-threatening illness that needs to be treated immediately. Kidney infections can cause significant damage to the nephrons and sensitive filtering systems of one of the body’s most precious organs, the kidneys.
What Is the Prognosis for a Urinary Tract Infection?
If treated properly and promptly, urinary tract infections usually cause no long-lasting complications. In most cases, because of the intimidating anatomical location of the infection, patients are usually quick to bring their symptoms to the attention of a doctor while they are generally mild. Thus, most patients have the infection treated effectively before it is able to progress into a virulent state. However, pathogenic bacteria that are resistant to antibiotic treatment, also known as superbugs (such as MSRA), are becoming increasingly common. Ahe prognosis for the elderly and people with urinary obstructions that are colonized by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is usually poor, typically involving a recurring incident within weeks after treatment, and requiring more intensive treatment with intravenous therapy. If UTIs are left untreated they can spread to every area of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, potentially causing serious damage.