How to treat urinary tract infections?

How to treat a urinary tract infection? Let us understand some other things before understanding the treatment options. A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the anal or vaginal region and cause an infection. As a result, antibiotics are frequently the first-line treatment for urinary tract infections. An antibiotic kills bacteria and helps to fight the infection.

 

What are the symptoms of Urinary tract infections (UTIs)?

 

The lining of the urinary tract gets red and inflamed due to a urinary tract infection, which might result in symptoms like - 

 

  • Abdominal or pelvic pain
  •  Frequent urge to pee
  • Urine leakage
  • Painful urination (dysuria)
  • Blood in urine
  • The abnormal colour of urine
  •  Foul smell in urine
  • Urge to pee during the night

 

Some other symptoms include:

 

  • Pain during intercourse
  • Lower back pain 
  • Tiredness
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • An altered or confused mental state.

 

It is necessary to monitor your symptoms and check if you have a UTI because women commonly experience UTIs. Hence, women can easily get a UTI if they do not take care of it properly. This is due to the following reasons:

 

  • Female anatomy - As compared to men, women have a shorter urethra. Due to this, bacteria have to travel a shorter distance to reach the bladder, and it is easier to get a UTI.

 

  • Sexual activity - Being sexually active tends to increase the risk of UTIs. During penetrative sex, pressure on the female urinary tract can move bacteria from the anus into the bladder. Oral sex can introduce bacteria inside the urethra, increasing the risk of infection. A new sexual partner also increases the risk of getting a UTI. 

 

  • Type of birth control method used - The use of diaphragms as a form of birth control may increase the risk of UTIs. Additionally, using spermicidal agents increases the risk of getting one.

 

  • Menopause - A decrease in estrogen levels in circulation after menopause affects the urinary tract. These changes may increase the risk of UTIs.

 

What is the treatment for UTIs?

 

UTIs are treated using medications (antibiotics) prescribed by your doctor based on the type and strain of bacteria causing the infection, along with the location of the infection within the urinary tract. In the lower tract, these infections are treated mainly using oral antibiotics. Upper tract UTIs require intravenous antibiotics, administered directly into your veins - but this is uncommon. Lower tract UTIs are the most common type of UTI, and their treatment is quite simple!

 

Your reports may show that the bacteria in your urine are resistant to some antibiotics, especially if you recently had a UTI and are now having another one. In that case, your doctor will use the results of your urine culture test to determine the short course of antibiotics that will work best against the bacteria causing your infection. Nitrofurantoin, Amoxicillin, Sulfonamides, Cephalosporins, Doxycycline, Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and Quinolone are examples of commonly used antibiotics.

 

You must follow your doctor's advice for UTI treatment to completely eliminate the bacteria in your urinary tract and prevent any recurrence. Don't stop taking the antibiotic if your symptoms go away and you feel better!  If you do not take the entire course of antibiotics, the infection may return again. Contact your doctor if you skip or miss a course of antibiotics so they can advise you on how to make up for it!

 

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) often respond quite well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before treatment, but after your doctor determines the type of bacteria and gives the right antibiotic, your symptoms should improve quickly. It is important for you to take your medication for the entire time period prescribed by your doctor. If you have frequent UTIs or your symptoms aren't improving, your doctor may order a test to see if you have an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require you to take intravenous antibiotics (through an IV) or alternative treatments.

 

If you have a history of recurrent urinary tract infections, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to take as soon as symptoms start to appear. Antibiotics may be given to other people to take every day, every other day, or after sexual activity to avoid any infection in your body. If you have a history of frequent UTIs, talk to your doctor about the best treatment options for you.

 

Can do you become immune to the antibiotics used to treat a UTI?

 

Your body can adapt to the antibiotics that are usually used to treat a urinary tract infection (UTI). It happens in people having very frequent infections. With each UTI and the antibiotics used to treat it, the infection adapts itself, and then it gets harder to treat the UTI. Hence, such types of infections are known as antibiotic-resistant infections. As a result, if you have frequent UTIs, your doctor may recommend alternative treatments. These may include:

 

Checking your symptoms and waiting - Your doctor may advise you to check your symptoms and wait. During this period, your doctor may suggest drinking plenty of fluids (especially water) in order to "flush out" your system.

 

An intravenous treatment - In some very complicated cases of UTI, such as when the UTI is resistant to antibiotics or if the infection has spread to your kidneys, you may need treatment in the hospital. The medicine will be injected directly into your vein (intravenously). Once you go home, your doctor will give you medications to help you fully get rid of the infection.

 

How do you know if a UTI has spread to your kidneys? 

 

A kidney infection is a painful and unpleasant condition frequently caused by cystitis (a common bladder infection). Most patients with cystitis do not get a kidney infection, although bacteria can occasionally move from the bladder to one or both kidneys. A kidney infection does not cause serious harm if you can treat them immediately with antibiotics; however, you will feel quite unwell. If a kidney infection is left untreated, it might worsen and sometimes result in permanent kidney damage.

 

You may experience fever, shivering, sickness, and pain in your back or side. You may experience symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI), such as cystitis, like:

 

  • Needing to urinate suddenly or more often than usual
  • Pain or a burning sensation when peeing
  • Smelly or cloudy urine
  • Blood in your urine

 

Consult your doctor if you have a fever and persistent pain in your tummy, lower back, or genital region. You should also contact a doctor if your UTI symptoms do not improve after a few days or if you have blood in your urine. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and recent medical history to determine if you have a kidney infection. They will perform a urine test to determine if you have a UTI.

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