Urinary Tract Infection in Females
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Q: What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
UTI or urinary tract infection is highly prevalent in females. This infection,
which affects the urinary organs i.e kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra, affects
majority of women at least once in their lifetime.
The close proximity of the vagina and urethra as well as shorter urethra facilitates the travelling of bacteria from the vagina into the urinary tract thereby, causing infection.
The close proximity of the vagina and urethra as well as shorter urethra facilitates the travelling of bacteria from the vagina into the urinary tract thereby, causing infection.
Q: What are the causes of Urinary Tract Infection?
There can be :
- Pregnancy
- Contraceptive usage
- Menopause
- Recent urinary procedure
- Poor hygiene
- Any underlying kidney or urinary tract problem
- Diabetes or other disease lowering immunity
Q: What are the symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection?
- Frequent urging to pass urine
- Pain or burning during urination
- Pain in the abdomen
- Urinary incontinence i.e inability to hold urine
- Difficulty in passing urine
- Dribbling urination
- Fever, nausea or vomiting in case of severe infection
- Discoloured, turbid or offensive urine
A urine analysis must be done to confirm the diagnosis.
Q: What are the management for Urinary Tract Infection?
- Medications
- Drinking plenty of water
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Passing urine often.
- Not holding urine at al as that puts pressure on the urinary organs
- Avoid caffeine or alcohol
- Wear loose, cotton clothing
- Avoid applying perfumed or scented products to the genitals
- Exercises to strengthen the urethra and pelvic muscles
- In complicated or difficult cases, a surgery might be essential.
Prognosis:
A frequently occurring or recurrent UTI may require regular antibiotic treatment for a few months. While simple infections are usually, cured in 3-4 days time, complicated or serious ones take longer time to heal or may require hospitalization. No treatment at all can lead to permanent kidney damage or failure.
Never leave the treatment midway as these nasty bacteria have a habit of returning, given the chance.
A frequently occurring or recurrent UTI may require regular antibiotic treatment for a few months. While simple infections are usually, cured in 3-4 days time, complicated or serious ones take longer time to heal or may require hospitalization. No treatment at all can lead to permanent kidney damage or failure.
Never leave the treatment midway as these nasty bacteria have a habit of returning, given the chance.
