Background:
Urinary Tract Infection, commonly known as a UTI or burning urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary bladder. The cause of UTIs is mostly the bacteria that travel up to the bladder and cause symptoms. The urinary tract’s primary function is to produce urine and eliminate it from the body. It consists of different parts that are all focused on working on the removal of urine from the body. There are several different types of UTIs the most common is the bladder infection also known as cystitis. To learn more about UTIs, Urinary Tract Infections Clinical Research Trials near you may be able to help you better understand and treat the condition.
Here in this blog, we will be briefly discussing the anatomy of the urinary tract, types of infections, causes, symptoms, treatment options, and a lot more.
Parts of Urinary Tract:
The parts that make up the urinary tract are as follows:
- Kidneys: Two in number; they are the filtration system of the body removing waste and water from the body.
- Ureter: A tube-like structure that takes urine from the kidney to the bladder.
- Bladder: It stores urine.
- Urethra: Carries urine from the bladder to outside the body.
Classification of Urinary Tract Infections:
There are three different types of UTIs, namely:
- Urethritis: As the name suggests, urethritis is inflammation of the urethra, which takes urine out of the body. Urethritis is most commonly caused by the transfer of bacteria through sexual contact.
- Cystitis: It refers to the inflammation of the bladder. This type is more common in females.
- Pyelonephritis: It is an infection of one or both kidneys. When the bacteria travels up to the kidney it causes inflammation resulting in serious symptoms.
What Are The Causes Of UTIs?
As discussed above, burning urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. The most common is Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) which lives in the bowel.
Complicated UTI vs. Uncomplicated UTI
A complicated UTI is just that, complicated. Due to abnormalities in the structure of the urinary tract, the standard of care treatments are not always effective and may take time. Some of the causes include the narrowing of the ureters, and the urethra, a blockage like kidney stones, or enlarged prostate gland in men. High-dose antibiotics are the treatment of choice in such cases. Complicated UTIs can affect the quality of life and make it difficult to perform day-to-day chores.
However, in uncomplicated UTIs, there are no anatomical abnormalities. It is more common in sexually active young women. The cause of both complicated and uncomplicated UTIs is the same i.e., bacteria.
What Are The Major Symptoms?
The symptoms of all types of UTIs are more or less similar. Some of the major symptoms of UTIs are:
- Pain or burning sensation during urination,
- Bloody urine,
- Frequent urination,
- Pressure or cramps in the lower abdomen, and
- The urge to urinate even when the bladder is empty
The symptoms are more complex when there is an involvement of the kidneys. The list includes:
- Fever,
- Chills,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting, and
- Lower back pain
Who Is At Risk?
Female anatomy is one of the reasons for the high prevalence of burning urinary tract infections in females. The bacteria usually enter through the urethra tube that carries urine out of the body. It is relatively shorter in females, hence the reason why bacteria easily find their way up to the kidney or bladder to cause an infection.
Other risk factors include:
- Sexual activity,
- History of UTI,
- Pregnancy,
- Menopause,
- Changes in the vaginal flora due to the use of spermicides,
- Poor hygiene,
- Age (young children and older adults),
- Structural Abnormalities,
- Diabetes,
- Kidney stones,
- Multiple Sclerosis, and
- Spinal Cord injury
How Do Comorbidities Increase The Risk Of Developing UTIs?
Patients with diabetes and other diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, kidney stones, etc., that suppress the immune system, are more inclined to develop urinary tract disease because of the recurring urge to pee and high glucose levels as in the case of diabetes. The high sugar level provides an ideal growing climate for microorganisms. Early conclusion and legitimate prescription are fundamental for managing burning urinary tract infections in diabetics.
How Does UTI Affect Sexual Health?
A UTI can aggravate the delicate tissue in your urinary tract, and sexual activity can disturb those tissues considerably more. Sexual activity can likewise raise your risk of complications and perhaps put your partner at risk of getting the infection.
How is A Urinary Tract Infection Different from a Bladder Infection?
A Urinary Tract Infection is an umbrella term for infections in different parts of the urinary tract. Whereas cystitis is confined to the infection of the bladder. The bacteria makes its way up to the bladder to cause inflammation. Not all urinary tract infections turn into bladder infections if early intervention takes place.
How is UTI diagnosed?
Depending on the symptoms, doctors prescribe certain tests to diagnose the type of UTI you might have. This includes Urinalysis and Urine Culture.
If the symptoms do not resolve even after treatment, the doctor may prescribe the following tests to evaluate the type of disease or injury, such as the Ultrasound, Cystoscopy, and CT scan.
Treatment Choices:
Since the burning urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. The dosage depends on the history and severity of the infection.
Patients also opt for several home remedies and herbal remedies to treat their condition including drinking lots of water, consuming cranberry juice, eating garlic, adding vitamin C to the diet, and taking care of their hygiene.
Cranberry Juice and UTI: Does It Even Work?
One of the most popular home remedies for UTIs has always been Cranberry Juice. Research does not entirely support the use of cranberry in the prevention of UTIs. However, cranberry juice and pills have proved to be beneficial in some cases, though, it is not always the case.
The theory behind the use of cranberry to prevent burning urinary tract infections proposed by some scientists stated that cranberry makes the urine acidic which repels bacteria like E.Coli, which are usually the culprit in causing UTIs.
However, with time and exploration, the hypothesis has altered and it is currently settled that the supplements in cranberry change the microscopic organisms so that they don’t adhere to the urinary tract wall.
Despite the pros, cranberry should be taken with care as it contains salt oxalates that promote kidney stones. It is also perilous if you are on blood thinners as cranberry can interact with warfarin and induce bleeding.
Some Facts about Urinary Tract Infection:
- Diabetes increases the risk of developing UTIs.
- Cranberry hasn’t been proven effective.
- Catheters can increase the chances of burning urinary infections.
- UTIs are not contagious.
- UTIs are much more common in females (40%) as compared to men (10%).
Prognosis For A Person Infected With UTI?
UTIs, respond quite well to the treatment if taken at the right time. Once the doctor identifies the type of bacteria causing infection and prescribes the right antibiotic, your symptoms should start to improve.
Nevertheless, it is vital to take your medications on time and for the recommended duration so that the chances of reinfection are reduced.
At times the body does not respond to the predetermined treatment, in such a case the doctor looks for antibiotic resistance in the body and antibiotic-resistant infection. In the event that the infection is antibiotic-resistant, more extensive treatment is required like intravenous antibiotics and other treatment choices.
The Takeaway:
To conclude, a burning urinary tract infection is a worrisome condition that can impact your day-to-day routine to a great extent. It not only interferes with the daily tasks but also makes one feel unwell and weary. It also has an adverse impact on your mood and social wellness leading to increased stress and anxiety.
Hence, it is essential to keep your mind and body relaxed by adopting relaxation techniques and visiting your nearest doctor.
If your symptoms don’t go away or if it triggers your mental health, consider reaching out to Clinical Research Organizations near you that are conducting research studies to understand more about the condition and better ways to deal with it.
Also Read: FAD Diets – A Lifestyle or an Obsession