Urinary Tract Infection Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Urinary tract infection, often abbreviated as UTI, is a condition where there is an infection in one or more parts of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters (the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, and urethra (the tubes for releasing urine).
Most urinary tract infections that occur are lower UTIs, which affect the bladder and urethra. In this case, women are known to be at a higher risk of experiencing a UTI than men.
Urinary tract infections that affect the lower urinary tract can cause pain and discomfort when urinating. However, if the infection spreads to the upper urinary tract and affects the kidneys, it can have more serious consequences. Therefore, urinary tract infections, both upper and lower, must be handled properly.
If there is an upper urinary tract infection, what is affected in your body is usually the kidneys and ureters. This condition is called pyelonephritis, or urinary tract infection of the kidneys. It is characterized by complaints such as low back pain, high fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Meanwhile, lower urinary tract infections are usually related to the bladder and urethra. This condition is called cystitis, or urinary tract infection of the bladder.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be characterized by complaints such as pressure on the lower abdomen, discomfort in the lower abdomen, and blood in the urine. Moderate urethritis, or urinary tract infection in the urethra, can be characterized by pain when urinating.
Symptoms
Symptoms Urinary tract infections don’t always show signs. UTI symptoms that arise can also differ between lower and upper urinary tract infections.
Lower urinary tract infections involving the bladder and urethra are usually characterized by the presence of:
- A sudden strong and persistent urge to urinate
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- The feeling is not complete or feels like something is left behind when urinating
- wishful thinking
- Turbidity in the urine
- Discoloration of urine to red, light pink, or brownish
- The pungent smell of urine
- Pain in the lower abdomen, especially experienced in women
- Feeling sore and easily tired
Meanwhile, signs and symptoms of a UTI that generally occur in upper urinary tract infections involving the kidneys and ureters are:
- Fever with a temperature above 38 o C
- Pain in the waist
- Shivering
- Agitation and discomfort in the body
Reason
The cause of urinary tract infections is generally due to Escherichia coli or E.coli bacteria. These bacteria usually live in the digestive tract. Bacteria can enter the urethra if you don’t pay enough attention to the cleanliness of the intimate organ area – especially after urinating or defecating.
UTI occurs when bacteria enter the urethra. In women, the cause of UTI is due to the inaccuracy in cleaning the anal area after defecating. Using toilet paper to clean the anus, accidentally touching the urethra accidentally causes bacteria from the anus to enter the urinary tract.
Bacteria that are already in the urinary tract can cause urethral infection (urethritis), bladder infection (cystitis), to ureteral infection (ureteritis), and kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
Diagnosis
If you experience symptoms of a UTI, the doctor will conduct an examination and procedure to determine the diagnosis. Examination includes:
- Urine examination, to see white blood cells, red blood cells, the presence of bacteria in the urine, and so on. To reduce the possibility of contamination from the urine sample taken, you will be asked to clean the genital area before urinating. It is also recommended to only collect urine that comes out in the middle of the urination process, by not collecting the first urine that comes out and at the end of urination.
- A urine culture examination, carried out to determine the type of bacteria that causes the infection and the most effective treatment for it.
- Imaging of the urinary tract, performed if the infection occurs repeatedly and the doctor suspects an anatomical or structural abnormality of the urinary tract. In this case, doctors usually recommend an ultrasound examination (USG), computerized tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Cystoscopy examination, which can be done if other investigations are considered insufficient to treat urinary tract infections that occur. Cystoscopy is performed by inserting a cystoscope, which is a long, thin tube with a lens, to look into the urethra and bladder.
Treatment
Treatment Mild urinary tract infections are generally treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. Urinary tract infection symptoms should subside about three days after starting treatment.
Still make sure that the antibiotics given by the doctor are spent according to the recommended number of days even though the complaint has been resolved. In addition, doctors will also generally prescribe painkillers to treat the symptoms of pain that arise.
For recurring urinary tract infections, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics for a longer period of time. In addition, further evaluation is also needed to determine the cause of urinary tract infections that occur quite often or recur in the near future.
Prevention
If a person frequently experiences urinary tract infections, there are several things that can be done to avoid recurring infections, such as:
- Maintaining the hydration condition of the body by ensuring regular consumption of drinking water and meeting daily needs.
- Keeping the anus clean and cleaning it from front to back when finished urinating in the toilet.
- Wash your hands properly, especially after using the toilet
- Urinate and clean yourself after sexual intercourse.
- Use underwear made of cotton and avoid synthetic materials such as nylon.