Urinary Tract Infection

Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections at its Best at Medica

Infections of the urinary system are more prevalent in women. Infections of the bladder or urethra are the most common, although more serious infections affect the kidney. Pelvic pain, increased urination urges, urination pain, and blood in the urine are all symptoms of a bladder infection. Back discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and fever are all symptoms of a kidney infection.

Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata is well-known for its departments of urology and nephrology and have a collective experience of over 30+ years. Our facilities are state-of-the-art and the latest in the region. Our doctors have experience in treating common urological and nephrological ailments such as incontinence, kidney stones, nephritis, impotence, prostate disorders, kidney failure, and other types of similar disorders. With our state-of-the-art medical infrastructure and staff, we are driven to enable a complete solution to all our patients.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection(UTI)?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) affects any component of your urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The bladder and urethra are the most commonly infected parts of the urinary tract. Women are more likely than men to have a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection can be both painful and inconvenient. If a UTI spreads to your kidneys, though, it might have significant implications.

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat urinary tract infections. However, there are precautions you may do to lessen your chances of acquiring a UTI in the first place.

Types of Urinary Tract Infection

Depending on where region of your urinary system is infected, each form of UTI can cause different signs and symptoms.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply in the bladder, resulting in urinary tract infections. Despite the fact that the urinary system is designed to keep such small invaders out, these defenses do not always work. Bacteria may take root and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract if this happens.

The urethra in women is shorter than in men. Therefore, the bacteria is more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause illness as a result of this.

Bacteria can enter the bladder through a variety of sources, including:

• Having sexual encounters
• Pregnancy
• Kidney stones and other diseases that obstruct the urine tract
• Disorders that make it difficult to completely empty the bladder, such as enlargement of the prostate gland in males and constipation in children
• Catheters for the urinary system (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
• Persons with a weakened immune system, such as diabetics or those undergoing chemotherapy
• Not getting enough liquids
• Not maintaining a clean and dry genital area

Diagnosis

If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, inform your doctor about your symptoms and have a urine test performed. You may also require additional testing.

A urinalysis looks for white blood cells, blood, and germs in your urine sample.

A urine culture is another test that can determine the type of bacteria that caused the infection, allowing your doctor to prescribe the appropriate antibiotic.

If you experience recurrent UTIs, your doctor may recommend you to a urologist for additional testing to determine the cause. In this instance, you might be given tests like:

• Urinalysis and urine culture
• Tests on the blood.
• X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds can all be used to visualize your urinary tract.
• Cystoscopy is a procedure in which your doctor looks into your bladder by inserting a long, thin device into your urethra (the tube that takes pee out of your body)
• Intravenous pyelogram is a type of X-ray that uses dye to let your doctor see your urinary system better. This is a rare occurrence nowadays

These questions might help your doctor identify a pattern in your leakage, which can indicate a particular form of incontinence. It’s vital to list all of your prescriptions when your doctor asks about your medical history because some medications can induce incontinence. Your provider will also inquire about previous pregnancies and delivery data.Other tests such as urine tests, ultrasound, cystoscopy, etc. might be advised.

If you have a basic UTI and don’t have them often, you won’t get those tests

Treatment

Symptoms of a UTI usually go away within a few days of commencing medication. However, antibiotics may be required for a week or more. Follow the antibiotics’ instructions to the letter.

If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may suggest that you try the following treatments:

• Antibiotics at low doses, usually for six months but sometimes for longer.
• If you keep in touch with your doctor, you can self-diagnose and treat yourself.
• If your illnesses are caused by sexual activity, you’ll only need one dose of antibiotic.
• If you’re postmenopausal, vaginal oestrogen therapy can help.

It’s also unlikely that you’ll require surgery. But you might, though, if your UTI is caused by an anatomical issue. If a blockage, such as a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate, is the culprit, you may need surgery.