Urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infection Definition:
It is a common bacterial infection that affects the lower urinary section, and it may affect the entire urinary system up to the kidneys, and it can affect all age groups, but women are more susceptible to it than men due to the shortness of the urethra, and half of women may get urinary infections at least once during their life .
Types of Urinary tract infection:
- Urethritis (urethritis) only.
- Inflammation ascending to the bladder.
- Inflammation in the kidneys.
Urinary tract infection Causes:
Infection often occurs because bacteria from the anus, urine, or urinary catheter are transferred into the urethra.
Urinary tract infection Symptoms:
In most cases, a patient with a urinary tract infection does not show symptoms, and if the symptoms appear, they are as follows:
- A sudden, strong need to urinate.
- Burning sensation with urination.
- Frequent urination, but in small amounts.
- Urine is cloudy or bloody and has a strong odor.
- Pelvic pain (in women).
Symptoms vary depending on the type of inflammation, whether it is urethritis, cystitis or kidney infection, as follows:
- Urinary tract infection accompanied by burning during urination and the purification of some secretions in some cases.
- Cystitis and its symptoms appear in the form of (pelvic pain - lower abdominal pain - frequent urination with the appearance of pain and blood in the urine.
- Inflammation of the kidneys: the symptoms are more severe and come in the form of (vomiting and nausea - high body temperature - pain in the upper back and sides.
Urinary tract infection Diagnosis:
- Take a medical history.
- Clinical examination.
- Urine culture analysis.
- X-rays of the urinary system and make sure it is free of stones.
- Laparoscopic examination of the bladder.
Urinary tract infection risk Factors:
- Obstruction of the urethra, such as the presence of kidney stones.
- Difficulty emptying urine completely.
- Female contraceptive devices.
- Urinary catheter.
- Enlarged prostate in males: It prevents complete emptying of urine and affects the direction of urine output.
Groups most at risk of developing a urinary tract infection:
- People with diabetes .
- Pregnant,
- People with a weakened Immune System.
- Kidney transplant patients.
- Babies born with malformations and congenital defects of the urethra.
Complications of a urinary tract infection:
- Recurring infection.
- Permanent kidney damage.
- In pregnant women, the risk of premature birth may increase.
- Urethral narrowing in men in case of repeated infection.
- It may lead to blood poisoning.
Urinary tract Infection Treatment:
Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics based on the decision of the treating physician in addition to pain relievers.
Urinary tract infection Prevention:
- Drink more fluids.
- Keep the area clean and sterilized, and stay away from aromatic sterilizers.
- Go to the bathroom immediately when you feel the urge to urinate.
- For women, stay away from contraceptive devices and replace them with chemical methods such as medicines.
- The cleaning process should be from front to back after urination or defecation.
- Bladder emptying after intercourse.
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