Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment in MRC Nagar, Chennai

As the name suggests, a urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects your urinary tract. The urinary tract includes your ureters, bladder, kidneys and urethra. UTI is a common infection for both men and women. However, women are believed to be more susceptible to it.

What is UTI?

UTI is caused by microbes which are organisms only visible through a microscope. Mostly bacteria cause UTIs but in some cases fungi or viruses are also responsible for it. Urine is the by-product of your body’s metabolism which does not contain any bacteria. Under normal conditions, urine moves uncontaminated through your urinary tract. But when bacteria from external sources enter your urinary system, they can cause infection and inflammation in your urinary tract. This is called urinary tract infection or UTI.

To seek treatment, you can consult a urology doctor near you. Or you can visit a urology hospital near you.

What are the symptoms of UTI?

The symptoms of UTI in the upper tract are different from those in the lower tract of your urinary system.
The lower tract includes the urethra and the bladder. Lower tract infection is a more common form of UTI. Its symptoms are as follows:

• A burning sensation when you urinate
• Increased urge to urinate
• Strong-smelling urine
• Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
• Urine which appears cloudy, red or cola-colored
• Pelvic pain in women and rectal pain in men

Upper tract UTI can be dangerous as it affects your kidneys and can lead to urosepsis, a condition that can cause death. 
Symptoms of the upper tract UTI are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Nausea
• Pain and tenderness in the upper and lower abdomen

What are the causes of UTI?

There are various reasons which can lead to a UTI. They are as follows:

• Old age – Aging increases the chance of getting a urinary tract infection
• Kidney stones
• Diabetes – If you have diabetes, you are likely to develop a UTI if not managed properly
• Genetics – Some women are at a higher risk of UTIs because of the shape of their urinary tract which makes it easier for infection to occur
• Lack of hygiene and cleanliness – In women, the urethra which transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body is situated near the anus. Bacteria such as E. coli sometimes can travel from your intestine to the urethra and up your bladder. This causes infection, if left untreated.
• Weak immune system
• Pregnancy – This also increases the risk of getting a UTI

When do you need to see a doctor?

If you have any of the symptoms of UTI, you should consider seeing a doctor. Your doctor will order appropriate tests.

You can request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, MRC Nagar, Chennai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is UTI treated?

Antibiotics are generally prescribed. Since UTI is caused by bacteria, your doctor is likely to give you an antibiotic which is best suited for killing the bacteria.

You need to follow the instructions of your doctor and take the prescribed antibiotics on time. Your UTI might return on discontinuing your medicines. So, complete the entire course of your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

Once a UTI has occurred, there is a higher chance of developing it again. If you have frequent UTIs, you will be given antibiotics to be taken daily or on alternate days.

What are the complications from UTIs?

If left untreated or not treated well, UTI can cause various complications such as:

• People who experience frequent UTIs, especially 4-6 times in 6 months, are susceptible to recurrent urinary tract infections.
• Pregnant women with UTI may deliver premature infants or underweight infants.
• A particularly dangerous condition called sepsis, which may occur if infections travel from the urinary tract up to your kidneys, can develop.
• Untreated urinary tract infection can cause permanent kidney damage or chronic kidney infection.
• Urethral narrowing is a common complication in men suffering from recurrent urethritis.

Conclusion

UTI is a common infection that can be cured completely if treatment is sought properly on time. It is more common in women than in men. Hygiene should be maintained at all costs to prevent its occurrence.