Urinary Tract Infection - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Urinary tract infections are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect about 3 percent of children in the United States every year. Urinary tract infection, almost always in the bladder or the kidneys, is the most common bacterial infection affecting the human body. It is about ten times more equent in women aud girls than men and boys, largely because of anatomical difference. Flowing from the kidney through two long narrow tubes, called ureters, urine enters the bladder, low in the midline of the abdomen, where it is stored. For urination, valves open and the bladder drains, with urine flowing to the outside through a tube, the urethra.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Your urinary tract is made up of two sections: the lower urinary tract and the upper urinary tract. Infections most commonly occur in the lower urinary tract, which contains your bladder and urethra. A kidney infection is called pyelonephritis, and requires immediate care. Most commonly, infections affect the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra), which is called cystitis. Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Children who frequently delay a trip to the bathroom are more likely to develop UTIs.

An infection in the urinary tract caused by the invasion of disease-causing micro-organisms, which proceed to establish themselves, multiply, and produce various symptoms in their host. In women, the urethra is short and straight. In women; however,it is much easier for bacteria to moveup from the skin in the region, which cannot be kept sterile, through the short, straight urethra to the bladder.

A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract -- the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, or the urethra . Regular urination helps keep the urinary tract sterile by flushing away bacteria. Bacterial invasion of the urinary tract, which includes bladder, bladder neck and urethra.UTIs are generally triggered by bacteria and are more common when there is partial blockage of the urinary tract. In some people, UTIs tend to recur. Urinary tract infection is defined by the presence of a pure bacterial growth >10 5 colony forming units/ml. In acute bladder infection (cystitis), there is usually burning on urination or painful urination with urgency and frequency. Often there is nocturia (excessive urination at night). Low back pain is frequent. Blood may also appear in the urine, particulady in women.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Here are the list of the possible causes of Urinary Tract Infection :

• The culprit in at least 90% of uncomplicated infections is Escherichia coli, better know as E coli.
• Wiping back to front after bowel movements. This can spread E.coli from the rectum to the urethra.
• Kidney Stones. Hard deposits of calcium that resemble small rocks can block the bladder, preventing all urine from being expelled.
• Another common source of infection is caused by catheters or tubes placed in the bladder.
  

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

Some sign and symptoms related to Urinary Tract Infection are as follows :

• Frequency - More frequent urination (or waking up at night to urinate)
• High temperature lasting for more than 3 days should be a trigger to get the urine culture done to ascertain whether the fever is due to UTI or not.
• Increased confusion and associated falls are common presentations to Emergency Departments for elderly patients with UTI.
• Cloudy, bad smelling, or bloody urine
• The urine itself maybe cloudy or reddish if blood is present.
• Cystitis may result in pressure in the lower abdomen and strong-smelling urine.
• Pressure in the lower pelvis
• Blood in the urine

Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection

Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection are as follows :

• UTIs are treated with antibacterial drugs.
• Finish all antibiotic medication even if you are feeling better before the medication is gone.
• Take a pain-relieving medication.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Children with uncomplicated cystitis are usually given a 10-day course of antibiotics.
• In children, cystitis should be treated promptly with antibiotics to protect their developing kidneys.
• Most uncomplicated UTIs can be treated with oral antibiotics such as trimethoprim , cephalosporins , Macrodantin , or a fluoroquinolone .
• Modern research has suggested that cranberry may prevent urinary tract infections.