Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common type of infection that occurs in the urinary tract. the symptoms of a UTI include:
pain or a burning sensation during urination
a frequent need to urinate
lower abdominal pain
What causes UTI?
In healthy men, urine is sterile (contains no micro-organisms).
The most important factor in maintaining the sterility of the urinary tract is emptying the bladder completely and frequently.
The cause of most UTIs is bacteria that initially settle (colonise) around the urethra (urine tube), and then ascend into the rest of the urinary tract.
What are the symptoms of UTI?
Symptoms differ, depending on whether the infection affects the lower (bladder and urethra) or upper (kidneys and ureters) parts of the urinary tract.
The symptoms of lower urinary tract infection are dysuria (burning on passing urine), frequency (frequent need to pass urine) and urgency (compelling need to urinate). The urine can be cloudy with an offensive odour.
In older men, generalised symptoms such as confusion and incontinence can be present.
Urine infections are much commoner in the elderly, due to poor bladder emptying, an enlarged prostate, or incontinence associated with stroke or dementia.
The symptoms of upper urinary tract infection are the same as lower tract symptoms plus loin (flank) pain, fever and chills. The patient is likely to be ill and might require hospital admission.
Types of UTI
A UTI develops when part of the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria. Bacteria can enter the urinary system through the urethra or, more rarely, through the bloodstream.
There is usually no obvious reason why the urinary tract gets infected, although some women find that they develop a UTI after having sexual intercourse.
There are two types of UTI:
Lower UTI is an infection of the lower part of the urinary tract, which includes the bladder and the urethra. An infection of the bladder is called cystitis, and an infection of the urethra is known as urethritis.
Upper UTI is an infection of the upper part of the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys and the ureters. Upper UTIs are potentially more serious than lower UTIs because there is a risk of kidney damage.
How common are UTIs?
UTIs are a very common type of infection in women. In the UK, it is estimated that one woman in three will have a UTI before the age of 24, and that half of all women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime.
UTIs are a lot less common in men. It is estimated that every year in the UK, in otherwise healthy men, only one in every 2,000 will develop a UTI.
Outlook
The outlook for most cases of UTI is excellent. The infections are usually mild and will usually resolve within four to five days. Antibiotics can be used to help speed up the recovery time.
However, some women find that they experience repeated UTIs, and that they require long-term treatment with antibiotics to prevent the infection returning.
Complications of a UTI are uncommon, but serious, and include:
kidney failure, where the kidneys lose almost all of their functioning capability
blood poisoning, also known as sepsis
These complications usually only affect people with a pre-existing health problem, such as diabetes, or a weakened immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection).
How is UTI treated?
Treatment depends on how and why the infection shows itself. Most patients respond rapidly to antibiotic therapy and are unlikely to have any other urinary tract abnormality
General measures
A high fluid intake is essential. Alkaline substances, such as citrates, taken in water might improve symptoms.
By making the urine more alkaline, they make the environment more hostile to bacterial growth and improve the results of antibiotic therapy.
Antibiotic therapy
Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment.
Trimethoprim (eg Monotrim) is currently the first choice for lower UTI in the UK, because it’s cost-effective, well tolerated and works in 80 per cent of infections.
Cephalosporins, nitrofurantoin and norfloxacin are reserved as second line drugs in patients with lower UTI. But they are the first choices in patients with signs of upper UTI or kidney infection.
Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, now have resistance levels of 50 per cent in the community because of widespread use over many years.
Based on such experiences, many specialists are concerned about the possible overuse of the more powerful antibiotics as first line therapy in the general community.
Cystitis
Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary tract caused by damage or infection. You will normally suffer with a burning sensation when passing urine and will want to pass water more often than normal.
If there is no improvement after 48 hours, ask our pharmacist for advice.
Our Advice
Ask your pharmacist to choose the product which is most suitable for you.
Drink more water to help flush the stinging urine through your body.
Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee which can irritate the bladder. Cranberry juice can help to treat and prevent cystitis.
Always wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet.
Wear cotton briefs and loose clothing.
Excessive washing of the area can worsen the symptoms; washing morning and night is advised, though.
All men and children should seek medical advice from their doctor. UTIs are rare in men, so all cases require investigation. Prostatitis, the infection or inflammation of the prostate (a gland beneath the bladder that produces some components of semen), causes symptoms that can be mistaken for UTI in men.
Do not use bath additives in your bath water.
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Urinary-tract-infection-adults/Pages/Introduction.aspx