Urinary Tract Infection - Symptoms and Causes

According to the recent reports of the last two years, Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs are increasing at a rapid pace, affecting about 400 million people globally in a year. More importantly, women are at greater risk with an estimation that 6 out of 10 will experience UTIs in the coming years in the US. Also, the young generation who is sexually active holds a chance to get diagnosed with UTIs.

It is important to know everything about this infection at an early stage to avoid its prolonged and painful effect. As this is becoming a common infection among the mass, everyone needs to be aware.

What is Urinary Tract Infection?

As the name indicates, this infection can grow in any part of the urinary system. The human urinary tract consists of four major organs- kidneys bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most commonly, the bladder and urethra in the lower urinary tract get exposed to these infections.

UTIs are caused by microbes that can’t be seen without a microscope. It can cause by bacteria, fungi, or in rare cases, viruses. The problem gets more serious if the infection gets developed in kidneys. There are different types of UTIs and their respective symptoms. It is crucial to have clarity and follow the right process for treatment.

Types of UTIs

There are mainly four types of Urinary Tract Infections Cystitis, Urethritis, Pyelonephritis, and Vaginitis. Cystitis is the infection in the bladder and this is the most common lower urinary tract. Urethritis is a urinary infection affecting the urethra and Vaginitis is the type that affects the Vagina. Pyelonephritis is another type of UTI that affects the kidneys.

Each of these types has distinct symptoms in the primary stage. Knowing these can make it easier to diagnose the infection.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

When the infection takes place in the Kidneys, that is Pyelonephritis, it is called upper tract UTI. The symptoms are:

• Back or side pain and tenderness
• High fever with chills and shakiness
• Nausea (an uneasy feeling and urge to vomit) and vomiting

The lower tract UTI includes Cystitis and Urethritis, that is, infection in the bladder and urethra. In these cases, the symptoms are:

• Burning with urination, mainly due to infection in the urethra
• Discharge, an uncommon amount of mucus during urination
• Increased urgency and frequency of urination without passing adequate urine
• The bloody or cloudy texture of the urine, or looks like cola or tea
• Urine has a strong odor

There are some symptoms that are different in men and women. For instance, pelvic pain in women and rectal pain in men. Also, women can experience Vaginitis, an infection in the vagina with additional symptoms like itching and pain.

Causes of UTIs

Primarily, Urinal Tract Infection takes place whenever any bacteria enter the urinal tract through the urethra and spread into the bladder. Although there is an automatic mechanism to keep any harmful microbe out, they might fail. As a result, the above-mentioned symptoms start to take action and gradually develop into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.

Here are some of the most common reasons behind UTIs.

• E. coli Bacteria: Escherichia coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the GI tract (gastrointestinal tract). Although most varieties of E. coli bacteria are harmless and found in the intestine of healthy people and animals, there are some strains that may cause infection in the bladder. For instance, E. coli O157:H7 can cause infections along with vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
• GI bacteria: Gastrointestinal bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra can cause urinary tract infections, primarily, Urethritis. This infection can also be driven by sexual interactions, followed by infections like herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma.
• Urinary Tract blockage: An enlarged prostate, kidney stone, or even certain forms of cancer can cause UTIs. Enlarged prostate or Benign prostatic hyperplasia causes urination retention. Also, not being able to empty the bladder completely can raise the risk of infection. Some types of kidney stones are responsible for UTIs, like Struvite stones. It develops chronic urinary tract infections from some bacteria causing the urine more alkaline.
• Use of urinary catheters: This is a type of hollow, partially flexible tube that is inserted into the bladder through the urethra collects urine from the bladder and leads in a drainage bag. They can be made of rubber, PVC, or plastic. Using these pipes for a long time would make it easier for harmful bacteria to enter the bladder and cause severe infection.
• Previous UTIs: Similar infections in the past can also be a reason for the UTIs if the former one is treated completely or the treatment left a side effect. According to a report by Harvard University, UTIs return back in 25 to 30% of the cases for women.

There are other reasons like age, decreased body mobility, long bed rest after any surgery, diabetes, pregnancy, weaker immunity system, or a defected urinary structures developed from birth that can cause urinary tract infections.

Additional Risk Factors for Women

As women are more prone to develop this infection, it is important to discuss the additional risk factors for them.

Shorter Urethra: In female bodies, the distance between the urethra to both the vagina and anus is lesser than in male bodies. As a result, bacteria generally found in the vagina and anus can easily enter the urethra and develop UTIs in there and the rest of the urinary tract. Due to the short urethra, the bacteria need to travel less distance. 

Sexual Relation: During penetrative sex, the extra pressure on the female urinary tract can move the bacteria from the anus to the bladder. Also, oral sex can lead to UTIs as the bacteria enter the urethra. Using the wrong type of condom is another important reason. The non-lubricant latex condom increases friction and irritation in the sensitive area. Another threat is condoms coated with spermicide. It is better to use a water-based lubricant during sex to reduce the irritation.

There are some other factors that drive the possibility for women to develop UTIs. For instance, using Diaphram for birth control can put pressure on the urethra. As a result, the bladder gets empty, increasing the chance of bacterial growth and urinary infection. Also, after menopause, the drop in estrogen level decreases the number of bacteria in the vagina. This also may develop UTIs. 

How to Treat UTIs?

There are different types of medications like antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals that can be prescribed by the doctor after a successful diagnosis and understanding of the source of UTIs. It can be bacterial, which is most common, or viral or fungal.

The most common way to treat this infection is by intaking antibiotics. Lower tract UTIs like Cystitis and Urethritis can be treated with oral antibiotics. On the other hand, upper tract UTIs need antibiotics to be applied directly into the veins.

There are some remedies to prevent UTIs that need to be followed regularly. Drinking 6 to 8 liters of water every day, not holding the urine for too long, and having cranberry juice are likely to prevent urinary tract infections. It is important to seek medical guidance if you notice difficulty urinating or problems emptying the bladder.

Conclusion

Urinary Tract Infections are common nowadays and it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent such infections in the first place. Most importantly, women need to be more careful to avoid UTIs. In case you develop this, proper treatment needs to be followed without fail. Also, these infections may return back. So, if someone has already been cured of the infection, maintaining a healthy routine would be mandatory for them as well.