Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Aug 03, 2014 News

By Dr. Kumar Sukhraj

UTI is an infection in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the body’s drainage system for removing wastes and extra water. The urinary tract includes two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder, and a urethra. The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located below the ribs, one on each side of the spine, toward the middle of the back.
Every minute, your kidneys filter about 3 ounces of blood, removing waste and extra water. The waste and extra water make up the 1 to 2 quarts of urine you produce each day. The urine travels from the kidneys down two narrow tubes called the ureters. The urine is then stored in a balloon-like organ called the bladder and emptied through the urethra, a tube at the bottom of the bladder.
Infections are caused by microbes—organisms too small to be seen without a microscope. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs. Normally, bacteria that enter the urinary tract are quickly removed by the body before they cause symptoms. But sometimes bacteria overcome the body’s natural defences and cause infection.
People of any age or sex can get UTIs. But about four times as many women get UTIs as men. Women have a shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. Also, the opening of a woman’s urethra is near the vagina and anus, where bacteria live. Women who use a diaphragm are also more likely to get UTIs than women who use other forms of birth control.
Others at higher risk for UTIs are people
· with diabetes or problems with the body’s natural defence system
· who need a tube to drain their bladder
· with urinary tract abnormalities that block the flow of urine
· with spinal cord injuries or other nerve damage
Most UTIs are not serious, but some infections can lead to serious problems. Chronic kidney infections—infections that recur or last a long time—can cause permanent damage, including kidney scars, poor kidney function, high blood pressure, and other problems. Some acute kidney infections-infections that develop suddenly-can be life-threatening, especially if the bacteria enter the bloodstream, a condition called septicemia.
You should see your health care provider if you have any of these signs or symptoms:
· a burning feeling when you urinate
· frequent or intense urges to urinate, even when you have little urine to pass
· pain in your back or side below the ribs
· cloudy, dark, bloody, or foul-smelling urine
· fever or chills
Health care providers diagnose UTIs by asking about your symptoms and then testing a sample of your urine. Your urine will be checked with a microscope for bacteria and white blood cells, which the body produces to fight infection. Because bacteria can be found in the urine of healthy people, a UTI is diagnosed based both on symptoms and a lab test.
UTIs are treated with antibiotics that can kill the bacteria causing the infection. The antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of bacteria causing your UTI. Some antibiotics may be ruled out if you have allergies to them. Tell your health care provider if you are allergic to any medicines.
Follow your health care provider’s instructions carefully and completely when taking antibiotics. Drinking lots of fluids and urinating frequently will speed healing.
Please feel free to send an email to kumarsukhraj @yahoo.com or call 6228032 for further enquiry and discussion on the topic. Patient education plays an important in the diagnosis and management of diabetes and any other illness. Please look forward for a continuation of the discussion on health issues in the next publication.

Reference
Dario M. Torre, Geoffrey C. Lamb, Jerome Van Ruiswyk: Kochar’s Clinical Medicine for Students. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Fifth edition (2008)