Common Urinary Tract
Infections
By: Henry Wong, M.D.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the
second most common type of infection in the
body. They account for approximately 8.3
million physician visits each year. A bladder
infection is the most common type of UTI,
affecting the urethra and bladder in the lower
urinary tract. Serious consequences may
occur if a bladder infection goes untreated and
the infection spreads to the kidneys, which
can cause permanent damage.
Women are especially susceptible, for
reasons unknown, although the much shorter
female urethra is suspected. Approximately
one in five women develop at least one UTI
during her lifetime, and 20 percent of those
have recurrent infections. In men, a bladder
infection is generally a cause for concern. It
could be a symptom of an underlying disorder,
such as a sexually transmitted disease or
prostate obstruction. Elderly people, especially those in nursing homes, and people
with diabetes are also at risk. UTIs are also
common in some children under the age of
two. Congenital or structural abnormalities
need to be considered.
The urinary tract consists of the kidneys,
uterus, bladder and urethra, all playing a role
in removing urine from the body. UTIs occur
when bacteria enter the urinary tract through
the urethra and infect the urinary tract. UTIs
are usually caused by Escherichia coli (E.
coli), bacteria typically found in the gastrointestinal tract. Women can develop a UTI after
sexual intercourse, but you do not have to be
sexually active to develop one. In addition to
the E. coli organism, some UTIs are caused
by one of two sexually transmitted diseases:
chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Being sexually active. Women who are
sexually active tend to develop more urinary
tract infections. Sexual intercourse may irritate
the urethra, allowing bacteria to travel through
the urethra to the bladder.
If you are having frequent UTIs, talk to your
physician about a longer course of antibiotics
or other treatment options.
About the Author: Dr. Henry Wong is a
board-certified urologist who is a member of
the medical staff at Weatherford Regional
Medical Center. He received his medical
school education at Rush Medical School in
Chicago, IL and completed his urology residency at the Naval Medical Center in San
Diego, CA. He is an experienced and skilled
urologist who specializes in treating recurrent
urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence;
overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, enlarged
prostate, kidney stones, and cancers of the
urinary tract. Dr. Wong is currently accepting
patients. Call 817-599-1200 for an appointment.
Using certain types of birth control.
Women who use diaphragms as a method of
birth control may be at a higher risk, as well
as women who use spermicides.
Aging. It is common for women to develop
UTIs after menopause.
Kidney stones/prostate obstruction.
Anything that obstructs the urinary tract may
cause an infection.
Prolonged use of urinary catheters.
UTIs may be preventable with appropriate
hygiene and health practices. Take these
steps to help reduce your risk of developing
a UTI:
Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
Urinate as soon as the urge arises. Avoid
holding urine for a prolonged period of time.
Take time to fully empty the bladder.
Urinate immediately after intercourse.
Avoid scented feminine products. Using
such products may irritate the urethra. Using
vaginal estrogen in post-menopausal women
may help.
Fortunately, UTIs are treatable and usually
clear within a few days. Any time a urinary
tract infection is suspected, consult a physician. Treating the infection early can help
prevent further infection in the kidneys that
could potentially result in hospitalization.
Sources:
Mayo Clinic
www.mayoclinic.com
Medicine Net
www.medicinenet.com
Urology Channel
www.urologychannel.com
To find a physician close to you, visit
Weatherford Regional Medical Center’s online Physician Directory at
WeatherfordRegional.com/Physicians
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
If you experience any of these symptoms,
Wipe from front to back for females. This
helps prevent bacteria from spreading to the
urethra.
JUNE 2015
UTI symptoms typically include:
•Frequent urge to urinate
•Pain and burning with urination
•Inability to produce more than a small
amount of urine at a time
•Cloudy, unusual smelling urine
•Pink to bloody urine
•Pelvic pressure
consult a physician promptly to begin treatment. Pregnancy, weakened immune system,
diabetes, fever, and elderly make it even more
urgent.
Bladder infections, kidney infections and
other UTIs are commonly treated with antibiotics. The infection will likely improve in a
couple of days, but one to two weeks of medication may be prescribed to prevent further
infections. Over-the-counter pain relievers
may also be used to help relieve discomfort.
It is important to drink plenty of fluids to help
cleanse the bacteria from the urinary tract.
Avoid coffee, alcohol and smoking to help
clear the infection.
Some people are more likely than others to
develop UTIs. Risk factors include:
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