Urine infection (urinary tract infection or ‘UTI’) is a very well-known disease. This disease can cause a variety of symptoms, including irritation or frequent urination in the urinary tract. It is possible to get rid of this disease easily by following some rules and taking the right treatment at the right time.
What is a urine infection?
Waste and excess water come out of our body as urine. Our urinary system is made up of the organs associated with this system of urination. The urinary system consists of two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder and a urinary tract.
If there is a bacterial infection in any part of the urinary system, it is called a urine infection. In medical parlance, it is called ‘urinary tract infection’ or ‘UTI’.
Symptoms of a urine infection
The most common symptoms of a urine infection include:
- Pain or irritation during urination
- Urinating more frequently than usual
- Frequent urination at night
- Having an unusual smell or foul urine
- Sudden urination or difficulty in maintaining the velocity
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pain in the back of the ribs just below the waist
- Blood going with urine
- Having a fever or feeling hot and shaking in the body
- Lower body temperature than 36°C or 96.8°F
- Tiredness and nausea
In addition to the above symptoms, there may be some variation in the symptoms of urinary infections depending on the age.
The noticeable changes in the elderly and those given a catheter are:
- Unusual behavior
- Mental confusion or anger
- New tremors or tremors in the body
Again, in addition to the common symptoms in children, there are some different types of symptoms. For example:
- Mood becoming irritable
- Stop eating and drinking properly
- Fever or increased body temperature
- Frequent urination or suddenly starting to urinate in bed
- vomiting
In addition to the above symptoms, if any of the following symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor without delay:
- A rise in body temperature or tremors in the body with a fever
- Body temperature drops below 36°C or 96.8°F
- Mental confusion or tingling or talking
- Stopping urination throughout the day
- Pain in the lower abdomen or just below the ribs behind the waist
These can be a sign of a kidney infection. If treatment is not started quickly, it can become fatal.
Causes of urine infection
Usually, various germs in the toilet enter the urinary tract and cause urine infections. These germs enter the urinary tract through the urinary tract.
Both men and women can have urinary infections. However, women are more likely to be infected with this disease. The reason for this is that the urinary tract of women is much shorter in length than the urinary tract of men.
Apart from this, the urinary tract of women is located very close to the anus. As a result, the chances of bacteria entering the urinary tract from the anus increase the chances of causing urine infection.
The reasons that increase the chances of urine infection are:
- If you don’t drink enough water
- If there is a disease that interferes with the normal flow of the urinary system. For example: having kidney stones
- If the genitals are not clean and dry
- If the immune system decreases for any reason. For example : If you have type 2 diabetes or HIV
- While taking chemotherapy or steroid-like medications for a long time
- If pregnant
- If there is a disease that prevents the bladder from emptying completely. For example: enlargement of the ‘prostate gland’ in men, constipation in children or any disease of the nervous system
- When menstruation stops forever. This phenomenon is called ‘menopause’. In this case, the tendency to contract increases due to the decrease in the hormone called estrogen.
- If you have sexual intercourse
- If a tube or catheter is worn on the road of urine
- If you have had a urine infection before
Note that urine infection is not contagious. It does not spread through sexual intercourse. But due to friction during intercourse, germs can enter the urinary tract or the germs already in the urinary tract can go further inside.
Treatment of urine infection
If you have symptoms of a urine infection, consult a doctor without ignoring them. The doctor may recommend getting a urine test done as well as taking appropriate antibiotics if needed.
It’s important to finish the full course of antibiotics. Even if the symptoms start to subside, the course of medicine should be completed according to the prescription.
Usually, symptoms begin to subside within two to three days of starting to take the medication. If the symptoms do not improve even after completing the course of medication, it is important to consult a doctor immediately.
Note: You have to be careful in taking treatment during pregnancy and follow all the advice of the doctor.
How long do you need to take the medication?
In most cases, it is recommended to take antibiotics for three days to a week if there is a common urine infection. However, depending on the cause and type of infection, it may be necessary to continue treatment for a longer period of time. In the case, antibiotics may have to be taken for several months.
If there is a serious urine infection, the patient is sent to the hospital for examination and treatment. In this case, it may be necessary to get treatment from the hospital for a few days.
Ignoring a urine infection can easily become serious. Therefore, you should be aware of the symptoms.
Home Remedies for Urine Infection
If the urine infection is not so serious, the patient recovers within a few days. In addition to following the doctor’s advice, you can follow the following advice at home:
- Paracetamol can be taken to reduce pain and fever. Paracetamol is more effective than other medicines in reducing the pain of urine infections.
- Children can be fed paracetamol syrup.
- Take adequate rest and drink plenty of water. Drink such amount of water so that there is regular transparent and light yellow urine. Regular urination helps to remove bacteria from the body.
- Hot compresses can be taken between the stomach, back and two thighs. This can help relieve discomfort.
It is best to refrain from sexual intercourse until you recover. Although the urine infection is not contagious, sexual intercourse can be uncomfortable when there is an infection.
In special cases such as kidney disease, heart disease or not being able to retain urine, it is necessary to know from the doctor how much water is safe to drink daily.
Having recurrent urine infections
After taking treatment, if there is a urine infection again, it is necessary to have different types of tests. In this case, taking special antibiotics may be advised.
The use of estrogen cream on the menstrual route may be recommended if there is irritation in the urine due to menopause.
Complications of a urine infection
If urine infections are not treated, various complications can arise. When the infection reaches the kidneys, there can be permanent damage to the kidneys.
Apart from this, if the infection spreads to the blood, serious complications called ‘sepsis‘ can occur.
In men, repeated infections can cause the urinary tract to become narrow. This can lead to urinary tract complications as well as sexual and reproductive problems.
Although it is not always possible to prevent urinary infections, the tendency to get infected can be reduced by following some rules.
What to do
- Keep the genitals dry and clean.
- When using tissue in the toilet, clean it from front to back.
- Drink plenty of water. Drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily.
- Instead of bathing in a bathtub or pond, take a bath with the help of a shower or bucket.
- When urinating, try to empty the urinary bladder completely.
- Wash the genitals with water before and after intercourse.
- Urinate as soon as possible after intercourse.
- Regularly change the diapers or cloth nappies of kids.
- Use loose underwear of cotton cloth.
What not to do
- Do not actually keep the speed of urine.
- Don’t rush while urinating.
- Do not use tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics (e.g., nylon).
- Do not use scented soap or talcum powder on the genitals.
- Don’t wear tight pajamas.
- Do not eat sugary foods and drinks. These can help germs grow.
- Do not use condoms or diaphragms that contain slippery agents to destroy sperm. Instead, use different types of condoms and lubricants or alternative methods of birth control.
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