A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of any part of the urinary system - the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract - the bladder and urethra.
Women are at greater risk of developing UTIs than men. Infections limited to the bladder can be painful and annoying. However, if a UTI spreads to your kidneys, there can be serious consequences.
Doctors usually treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. But you can take steps to reduce your chances of getting a UTI in the first place.
Symptoms
Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do, they may include
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- Burning sensation when urinating
- Frequent passing of small amounts of urine
- Urine appears cloudy
- Urine that is red, bright pink, or cola-colored - a sign that blood is in the urine
- A strong odor in the urine
- Pelvic pain in women - especially in the center of the pelvis and around the pubic bone area
UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
Types of urinary tract infections
Each type of UTI may cause more specific signs and symptoms, depending on which part of your urinary tract is infected.
Causes
Urinary tract infections usually occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such tiny invaders, these defenses can sometimes fail. When this happens, the bacteria may gain the upper hand and develop a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
The most common UTIs occur mainly in women and affect the bladder and urethra.
- Infection of the bladder (cystitis). This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium commonly found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, sometimes other bacteria can also cause it.
- Sexual intercourse can cause cystitis, but you don't have to have sex for it to happen. All women are at risk for cystitis because of their anatomy - specifically, the short distance from the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
- Infection of the urinary tract (UTI). This type of UTI occurs when gastrointestinal bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. in addition, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia and mycoplasma, can also cause UTIs in women because of the proximity of the urethra to the vagina.
Risk factors
Urinary tract infections are common in women, and many women experience more than one infection in their lifetime. Risk factors for UTIs specific to women include.
- Female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men, which shortens the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder.
- Sexual activity. Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs than women who are not sexually active. having a new sexual partner can also increase your risk.
- Certain types of birth control. Women who use diaphragms for birth control and women who use spermicides may be at higher risk.
- Menopause. After menopause, there is less estrogen in circulation, causing changes in the urinary tract and making you more susceptible to infections.
Other risk factors for UTIs include:
- Urinary tract abnormalities. Babies born with urinary tract abnormalities that do not allow urine to pass out of the body properly or that cause urine to back up in the urethra are at increased risk for UTIs.
- Blockage of the urinary tract. Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can trap urine in the bladder, increasing the risk of UTI.
- A suppressed immune system. Diabetes and other diseases that compromise the immune system - the body's defense against germs - can increase the risk of UTIs.
- Use of a catheter. People who cannot urinate on their own and use a tube (catheter) to do so have an increased risk of UTIs. This can include people who are hospitalized, people with neurological problems that make it difficult to control their ability to urinate on their own, and people who are paralyzed.
- Recent urologic surgery. Urologic surgery or urinary tract tests involving medical instruments can increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection.
Complications
If treated promptly and appropriately, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. However, if left untreated, urinary tract infections can have serious consequences.
Complications of urinary tract infections may include.
- Recurrent infections, especially in women who experience two or more UTIs in six months or four or more in a year.
- Permanent kidney damage due to an acute or chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis) caused by an untreated UTI.
- Pregnant women are at increased risk of delivering a low birth weight or preterm infant.
- Male urethral stricture (stricture) due to recurrent UTI, previously seen in gonococcal urethritis.
- Sepsis, a potentially life-threatening complication of the infection, especially if the infection reaches the kidneys along the urethra.
Preventive measures
- You can take these steps to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you urinate more often - allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before the infection begins.
- Drink cranberry juice. Although studies are not certain that cranberry juice can prevent UTIs, it is likely harmless.
- Wipe from front to back. Doing this after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria from the anal area from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush out bacteria.
- Avoid using potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, on the genital area can irritate the urethra.
- Change your birth control method. Uterine caps, unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms can lead to bacterial growth.
References
1. Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
2. Chronic Kidney Disease in the United States, 2021 - CDC
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