Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common medical complaint. It is estimated that up to 40 percent of women will have a UTI at some time in their lives. Also called bladder infections or cystitis, a UTI occurs when bacteria enter the bladder, usually through the urethra (urine tube), and begin to multiply. Show
Urine contains fluids, salts and waste products but is sterile or free of bacteria, viruses and other disease-causing organisms. A UTI occurs when bacteria from another source, such as the nearby anus, gets into the urethra. The most common bacteria found to cause UTIs is Escherichia coli (E. coli). Other bacteria can cause UTI, but E. coli is the culprit about 90 percent of the time. E. coli normally lives harmlessly in the human intestinal tract, but it can cause serious infections if it gets into the urinary tract. In women, the trip from the anus to the urethra is a short one. This is the reason why "wiping front to back" after using the toilet is helpful in preventing UTI. An untreated UTI can move up to the kidneys and cause an even more serious infection, so prompt diagnosis and treatment is important. Sexually active women, pregnant women and older women all may be at increased risk for UTI. Our Approach to Urinary Tract InfectionsUCSF offers personalized, sensitive care for common women's health problems, including urinary tract infections. Our mission is to provide every woman who comes to us with the highest quality care and the information she needs to make informed decisions about her health. A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection in any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. If you're a woman, your chance of getting a urinary tract infection is high. Some experts rank your lifetime risk of getting one as high as 1 in 2, with many women having repeat infections, sometimes for years. About 1 in 10 men will get a UTI in their lifetime. Here's how to handle UTIs and how to make it less likely you'll get one in the first place. Symptoms of UTIsThe symptoms of a UTI can include:
Types of UTIsAn infection can happen in different parts of your urinary tract. Each type has a different name, based on where it is.
Causes of UTIsUTIs are a key reason why doctors tell women to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. The urethra -- the tube that takes pee from the bladder to the outside of the body -- is close to the anus. Bacteria from the large intestine, such as E. coli, can sometimes get out of your anus and into your urethra. From there, they can travel up to your bladder and, if the infection isn't treated, can continue on to infect your kidneys. Women have shorter urethras than men. That makes it easier for bacteria to get to their bladders. Having sex can introduce bacteria into your urinary tract, too. Some women are more likely to get UTIs because of their genes. The shape of their urinary tracts makes others more likely to be infected. Women with diabetes may be at higher risk because their weakened immune systems make them less able to fight off infections. Other conditions that can boost your risk include hormone changes, multiple sclerosis, and anything that affects urine flow, such as kidney stones, a stroke, and a spinal cord injury. If you suspect that you have a urinary tract infection, go to the doctor. You'll give a urine sample to test for UTI-causing bacteria. If you get frequent UTIs and your doctor suspects a problem in your urinary tract, they might take a closer look with an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. They might also use a long, flexible tube called a cystoscope to look inside your urethra and bladder. If your physician thinks you need them, antibiotics are the most common treatment for urinary tract infections. As always, be sure to take all of your prescribed medicine, even after you start to feel better. Drink lots of water to help flush the bacteria from your body. Your doctor may also give you a medication to soothe pain. You might find a heating pad helpful. Cranberry juice is often promoted to prevent or treat UTIs. The red berry contains a tannin that might prevent E. coli bacteria -- the most common cause of urinary tract infections -- from sticking to the walls of your bladder, where they can cause an infection. But research hasn’t found that it does much to reduce infections. Experts are also looking at new ways to treat and prevent UTIs, including vaccines and things that boost your immune system, and hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. Chronic UTIsIf a man gets a UTI, they’re likely to get another. About 1 in 5 women have a second urinary tract infection, and some have them again and again. In most cases, each infection is brought on by a different type or strain of bacteria. But some bacteria can invade your body's cells and multiply, creating a colony of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They then travel out of the cells and re-invade your urinary tract. Chronic UTI TreatmentIf you have three or more UTIs a year, ask your doctor to recommend a treatment plan. Some options include taking:
At-home urine tests, which you can get without a prescription, can help you decide whether you need to call your doctor. If you're taking antibiotics for a UTI, you can test to see whether they've cured the infection (although you still need to finish your prescription). t. What does it mean to have bacteria in your urine?When a significant number of bacteria show up in the urine, this is called "bacteriuria." Finding bacteria in the urine can mean there is an infection somewhere in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the system that includes: The kidneys, which make urine.
Can bacteria in urine be serious?An untreated UTI can move up to the kidneys and cause an even more serious infection, so prompt diagnosis and treatment is important. Sexually active women, pregnant women and older women all may be at increased risk for UTI.
How do you get a bacterial infection in your urine?UTIs typically occur when bacteria outside the body enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. Most cases of cystitis are caused by a type of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. But other types of bacteria can cause infections, too. Bacterial bladder infections may happen in women after sex.
What are the 5 symptoms of bacteria in urine?Symptoms. Pain or burning while urinating.. Frequent urination.. Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder.. Bloody urine.. Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen.. |
What can cause bacteria in your urine
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