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URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTI)
UTI Pictures | UTI Support
| General
| Symptoms | Diagnosis
| Treatment | Transmission
| Prevention | Prognosis | Pictures
The Urinary System
The urinary tract is made up of the following organs:
- bladder
- kidneys
- two ureters
- urethra
The Kidneys
The kidneys:
- are located below the ribs near the middle of
the back
- consist of a
complex filtration system made up of individual nephrons working together to remove waste products from the
blood which are eliminated from the body in the
form of urine
- maintain a stable balance of salts
and other substances in the blood
- produce a hormone,
Erythropoietin, which triggers the production of red blood cells in the bone
marrow
The Ureters
The ureters:
- are tube-like structures
- transport urine from the
kidneys to the bladder where the urine is stored
The Bladder
The bladder:
- is elastic
- expands as it
fills with urine
There are two sphincter muscles which
tighten around the urethra to prevent urine from leaking out:
- The internal sphincter is not controlled consciously
- The external
sphincter is under voluntary control
When the bladder reaches a certain
capacity the brain sends impulses to:
- the internal sphincter to relax
- a muscle called the detrusor to contract and expel the urine
out the urethra
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Conditions that cause symptoms of urinary tract infections
include:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria that invade the urinary
system and multiply resulting in an infection. About 8-10 million people become
infected each year.
Women get Urinary tract infections (UTIs) more often than men, although men and
children can get them.
Bacteria from the rectal area sometimes enters the urinary tract through the urethra to the
bladder and causes
an infection. About 80-90% of urinary tract infections are
caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), the bacteria normally found in the
rectum.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs) include:
- Abdominal pain
- Blood in the urine
- Cloudy urine
- Lower back pain
- Painful urination, often with a burning sensation
- Urgent and constant need to urinate
If pain is the predominant symptom interstitial cystitis may be considered
See your doctor or health professional if
the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours and get immediate medical treatment
if more severe symptoms occur such
as:
Transmission
Women get the infection more
often because it is much
easier for bacteria to enter the urethra and work its way up into the bladder as it is so close to the vagina and the
anus.
Urinary tract
infections
include:
Urethritis
Cystitis
Pyelonephritis
- the kidneys become infected
when bacteria ascends up the ureters
Contributing Factors
Some factors that may result in urinary tract infections are:
Sexual Intercourse:
- can transfer
bacteria from the anal-vaginal area to the urethra and the bladder
- may irritate tissues
Birth Control Methods:
- Ill-fitting diaphragms may
place pressure on the bladder
- The chemicals in spermicides may irritate vaginal tissues
Physical Structural Problems:
Some women may have an actual
physical problem which predisposes them to urinary tract infections (UTIs). A physical examination and medical history will determine if
there is any problem.
Risk Factors
In Children:
- Babies born with abnormalities of the urinary tract, such as posterior
urethral valves or vesicoureteral reflux, which may require surgery
- Small girls have a shorter urethra than
boys so get infected easier
- Soiled diapers on young
children can cause an infection if left on too long
- Uncircumcised boys
more than circumcised boys because bacteria survives
in warm, moist areas under the foreskin
In Adults
- Low water intake will cause
less urination, which flushes out the system
- People with diabetes have a higher risk of infection because of changes in
the immune system
- Sexually active teenagers and adult women because of
friction occurring at the meatus during intercourse
- Wiping from back to front
after using the toilet can expose the vaginal and meatal area to rectal bacteria,
often Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Women with specific
blood types
Other Factors
Catheters or tubes placed in the
bladder:
- when urination is
impossible
- when people are unconscious or critically
ill
- on the elderly
- on those with nervous system disorders such as spinal
cord injury where loss of bladder control may require catheters permanently
Infections can be caused by
the bacteria:
- Citrobacter
- Enterobacter
- Escherichia coli (E. coli)
- Klebsiella
- Proteus
- Pseudomonas
- Serratia
- Staphylococcus
aureus
- Streptococcus fecalis
Diagnosis
Your doctor or health
professional will check your symptoms and test your urine, which is essential as
other conditions have similar symptoms, including:
Treatment If there are bacteria in your urine several different antibiotics may be prescribed to treat uncomplicated infections.
The regimen is usually:
- antibiotics for 1-3 days for first infection
- antibiotics for 7-10 days
For recurrent infections a urinary analgesic, such as
Phenazopyridine, may be prescribed for the pain
Help Factors
- Hot water bottles or heating
pads to ease cramps and
soothe the pain
If left untreated infections can result in:
Prevention
Help Factors
Drink
- a cup of water with a half a teaspoon of baking soda
1-2 times a day
- cranberry juice as it helps reduce the amount of bacteria in your
urine
- large amounts of water to help flush the bacteria out of
the
system
Avoid
- acid foods
- alcohol
- caffeine
- chocolate
- citrus fruits
- spices
- tomatoes
Other Factors
- Drink water before and after sex so that you will urinate a good volume
with a steady stream afterward
- Regular testing of urine during pregnancy
- Urinating
after sexual intercourse
- Wiping from the vagina to the anus after urinating to avoid spreading
bacteria
- Wear cotton underwear as it is less irritating and provides more
ventilation than nylon
Risk Factors
- Tight clothing and pantyhose may irritate tissues, trap heat
and promote bacterial growth
Prognosis
Complications
Recurrent Cystitis
Some women suffer from
recurrent urinary tract infections:
- 20% of women who have had one
urinary tract infection (UTI) will have one recurrence
- 30% of those women will have
more than one recurrence
The recurrent
infection usually stems from a different strain or type of bacteria from the original urinary
tract infection (UTI)
During Pregnancy
If a pregnant
woman develops a urinary tract
infection (UTI) it often travels to the kidney
causing pyelonephritis, due to hormonal changes
and fluctuations and increased pressure on the bladder
In Babies
- If left untreated the
infection can harm the fetus
- Newborn babies may get a systemic infection
called Sepsis
After Menopause
Infection can occur when vaginal tissues
start to break down due to a decrease in
estrogen levels
UTI Pictures | UTI Support
AIDS -
Bacterial Vaginosis - Chancroid -
Chlamydia Gonorrhea - Genital
Warts - Granuloma - Hepatitis -
Herpes -
Lymphogranuloma - Molluscum -
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease -
Pubic Lice - Scabies -
Syphilis - Trichomoniasis -
Urinary Tract Infection -
Vaginitis - Yeast
Infection
Sexual
Health Resource -
STD
Clinics & Support - Safe Sex
- STD Dating
Ask your questions on the
Sexual Health
Discussion Forum
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