What Are Urinary Tract Infections?
Urine Infections Are Common but Easily Treatable
The condition is extremely common. Its symptoms can vary from none at all to very unpleasant. The diagnosis is made by finding micro-organisms in the urine, although it’s not unusual for people to have symptoms with sterile urine: this is known as urethral syndrome.
The usual organisms that cause these infections mostly come from the bowel or the skin: E.coli, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and the yeast Candida.
Features of Urinary Tract Infections
To some extent the severity and seriousness of the condition is related to where in the urinary tract the infection occurs and the causative organism. Generally the infection starts in the lower part of the tract- the urethra. If untreated it can move up to the bladder and then on to the kidneys. Infections of the kidney are potentially very serious.
Symptoms can be non-existent or just mild fatigue, particularly if the infection is limited to the urethra. Dysuria (pain on passing urine) and frequently passing small amounts of urine coupled with a sense of urgency are the usual features.
If the infection reaches the bladder (cystitis) the above features are normally present plus malaise and sometimes a mild fever. At this stage the urine is usually cloudy and smells unpleasant. Pyelonephritis occurs if the disease reaches the kidney when it is accompanied by fever, rigors and pain over the kidney area.
Why do Urinary Tract Infections Occur?
A number of factors predispose people to these infections.
- Being female: The male urethra is longer that that of the female giving the body more time to counter any micro-organisms that might enter. In addition fluid from the prostate gland has an antibacterial action.
- Abnormal bladder function: anything that stops the bladder emptying efficiently will predispose to infection. These include enlarged prostate, abnormal shape of the bladder and disturbance of neurological control of the bladder – multiple sclerosis for example.
- Pregnancy: infection is more common in pregnancy, probably due to changes in the urinary tract.
- Diabetes mellitus: diabetics are more susceptible to infections generally. In long standing diabetics the disease can interfere with neurological control of the bladder.
- Tumours and stones: the presence of these in the urinary tract can make infection more likely.
- Catheters: a tube extending from the outside and into the urethra is clearly likely to increase the risk of infection.
- Vesicoureteric reflux: some people (more commonly children) have a tendency for the urine to back flow from the bladder into the ureters making pyelonephritis more likely.
Treatment and Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections
Normally these infections respond well to antibiotics providing the micro-organism isn’t resistant: amoxicillin, trimethoprim and co-trimoxazole are commonly used.
Cranberries have been used for many years as a preventative for urinary tract infections. Reviewers for the Cochrane Collaboration found evidence from 10 studies that it does indeed do just that. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry capsules reduced the number recurrences of infection in women who are susceptible to this condition.
Drinking plenty of fluid and paying attention to toilet hygiene are general measures that can help. However it should be remembered that excessive use of soaps and washing gels around the genital region can cause irritation and make the area prone to infection.
Although urinary tract infection is normally easily treatable, the consequences of untreated infections can be serious, so if you think may have this condition you should consult your doctor.
Resources
Medicine eds. Souhami and Moxham. Pub.Churchill Livingstone 2002
