What are the symptoms of urinary tract infection?

 



The symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) are a burning sensation while peeing, a frequent strong urge to pee, pelvic pain in women while urinating, and so on. These are the common symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a broad term for an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system. Your urinary system consists of your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. A UTI usually affects the bladder and urethra. In fact, women are anatomically more prone to developing a UTI because a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's. Hence the bacteria can easily climb up and cause an infection.


However, all signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection are not clearly visible. Other common symptoms of a UTI include:


  • An increased urge to pee

  • An increased frequency of peeing without passing much urine

  • Dark brown or cola-coloured urine

  • Blood-like urine

  • Urine has a strong odour

  • Women experiencing pelvic pain while peeing1


What are the causes of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?


Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms (usually bacteria) which enter the urethra and bladder and cause inflammation and infection. Although a UTI often affects the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also move farther from the ureters infecting your kidneys. E. coli is a bacteria often found in the intestines and is the major cause of bladder infection (cystitis) in more than 90% of cases of UTIs.2


UTI during pregnancy:


UTIs are common in pregnant women, affecting 2% to 10% of all pregnant women. The signs and symptoms of UTI during pregnancy are the same as those of regular UTI. UTIs are more likely to occur during pregnancy in women who have had them previously, and they are more likely to spread to the kidneys. If you are pregnant and suspect you have a UTI, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible!


How are urinary tract infections (UTIs) diagnosed?


There are two most common tests used to determine if you have a UTI and how to treat the infection. A urine routine test and a urine culture test are performed. Both of these tests can be carried out using a urine sample. The urine routine test can help determine whether you have an infection. Also, the urine sample is used to conduct a urine culture test. The urine culture helps determine whether the infection is resistant to any antibiotics.


How to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI)?


In most cases, antibiotics can be prescribed to treat a urinary tract infection in its early stages. However, the type and severity of infection determine which medications to prescribe and for how long. After analysing the type of bacteria and the antibiotics to which it is resistant, it is determined which antibiotics need to be recommended for treatment.3


Chronic urinary tract infections:


Sometimes UTIs may not completely go away and shows up again and again. If you have a UTI three or more times in a 12-month period, you might have a recurrent UTI or chronic UTI. Recurrent UTIs may not respond to medications used generally for normal UTIs. Recurrent UTI requires a somewhat different method of treatment when compared to a normal UTI. In the worst-case scenario, your doctor may recommend a longer course of antibiotics or even hospitalisation.4


How to prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI)?


Some of the things you should not do when you have a UTI are:


  • UTIs can be prevented easily by practising good personal hygiene. This is especially true for women. Because the urethra in women is significantly shorter than in men, E. coli bacteria can pass more easily from the rectum back into the body. It is recommended that you always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to avoid this. Women should also practise good hygiene during their periods to avoid infection by changing pads and tampons


  • You should avoid the delay in going to the doctor when you have a UTI. Your attempt to treat a UTI yourself allows the infection an additional time to spread inside your body. Over-the-counter medications can mask the pain, but they do not kill bacteria. Hence, antibiotics are required to eliminate a UTI.


  • Avoid consuming foods and beverages such as caffeinated coffee, caffeinated sodas, alcohol, spicy foods, acidic fruits, and artificial sweeteners. These can irritate your bladder or worsen your symptoms.


  • Never reduce your water intake. When the body is dehydrated, bacteria can grow in the bladder and not drinking enough water can keep your medication from penetrating your kidneys and bladder. You should have 6-8 glasses of water per day.


  • You should always avoid delays in urinating and not allow yourself to hold your urine because you think you are too busy to urinate. When you sense the urge to pee, and you don't do it, you can put yourself at risk for major urinary tract issues. Retaining the urine also allows the bacteria in your bladder to remain there, and emptying the bladder will quickly flush out bacteria.


Consult your doctor when: 


If you experience urinary tract infection symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. Call your doctor if your symptoms are getting worse after a UTI diagnosis. You could require a different treatment. Pay attention to the following signs in particular - fever, backache and vomiting. 

A UTI can spread throughout the urinary tract and into other body regions. However, treatment is highly efficient and can help you feel better soon.


Treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs) often works effectively. Before you start treatment for a UTI, you may experience some discomfort. But after the cause of the UTI has been determined and the proper antibiotic has been prescribed, your symptoms should start feeling better soon.


It's necessary for you to continue taking your medication for the whole period that your doctor has suggested. If you get frequent UTIs or your symptoms don't get better, your doctor might perform a test to determine whether the infection is antibiotic-resistant. These infections are more difficult to treat and may need alternate treatments or intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

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