What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infection is the excessive multiplication of bacteria, compared to normal, in any part of the urinary system (the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urinary tracts), leading to infection. The type of bacteria that causes urinary tract infection is usually the bacterium Escherichia coli. In this case, signs of infection may be seen in the urine.

Cystitis, one of the effects of urinary tract infection, is an infection of the bladder (the sac in which urine collects) caused by bacterial growth. The main symptom of cystitis, which is more commonly seen in women, is pain in the bladder. In addition, a constant urge to urinate, burning during urination and blood in the urine can also be listed among its symptoms. Cystitis should be treated as soon as possible. If left untreated, bacterial growth may increase and carry the risk of spreading to other urinary tract structures or organs.

What Are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?

The symptoms of urinary tract infection can be listed as follows:

Pain in the lower abdomen

Nausea, vomiting

Frequent urination

Urge to urinate even though the bladder is empty

Burning, pain, discomfort when urinating

Blood in the urine

Cloudy appearance of the urine

Foul-smelling urine

If such symptoms are present, a urinary tract infection may be suspected. In this case, the nearest healthcare facility should be consulted without losing time. Otherwise, the bacteria in the urinary tract may first pass to the kidneys, then enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. For this reason, treatment is important.

What Are the Causes of a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infection is the growth of bacteria in the urinary system. Although lack of hygiene is generally thought to be the cause of this infection, the real cause is the transfer of harmless bacteria from our intestines from back to front into the urinary tract. However, failure to maintain genital hygiene in shared-use areas such as pools and the sea, or in places with wet floors, can also cause urinary tract infection. Also, having multiple sexual partners or having sex with a partner who has an infection can lead to transmission of the infection. Having surgery on the urinary tract, or having a catheter inserted for any reason, can also make the urinary system open to infection. On the other hand, in people with conditions such as diabetes, urinary tract infections may occur regardless of hygiene. In addition, the risk of catching an infection may rise in situations where the body's immunity is lowered, such as cancer.

In addition to these causes, the anatomy of the female urinary system is more prone to urinary tract infection than that of the male urinary system. The reason is that the canal that serves to expel urine from the bladder to the outside, the urethra, is shorter in women than the urethra in men. For this reason, the female reproductive system becomes more open to infection, and generally both urinary tract infections and cystitis are seen more often in women than in men. Also, congenital or acquired abnormalities of the urinary tract, or conditions such as stones or dilation in the urinary system, can affect the healthy functioning of the urinary system. This can indirectly cause infection. Whatever the cause above, treatment should be started as soon as possible in the case of a urinary tract infection.

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed?

If there are symptoms related to infection in the urinary tract, a urinalysis is performed first. This is because a healthy person's urine does not contain bacterial or viral growth. However, since bacterial growth is involved in an infection, urine tests can be examined. Depending on the results of urine tests, diagnosis can be made by finding blood, infection cells and bacteria in the urine. On the other hand, if bacteria are present in the urine, a urine culture analysis can be performed so that treatment specific to that bacterium can be applied. In this analysis, the specific type of bacterium can be identified and an appropriate treatment method can be determined. In addition, urinary tract ultrasound is one of the diagnostic methods used to identify the condition. Computed tomography is also important for detailed imaging of the urinary tract. Ultrasound and computed imaging are effective in detailed observation of the presence of any condition in the urinary system that may cause infection. In general, anatomical disorders, stones or the presence of any mass can also cause infection. All of these methods are among the diagnostic types that are important in determining effective treatment.

How Is a Urinary Tract Infection Treated?

In urinary tract infections, a treatment method targeting the identified cause is determined, taking diagnostic methods into account. Generally, the first treatment option is antibiotic therapy. Depending on the progression of the infection, a short-term or long-term course of antibiotics may be determined by a physician specialized in the field. Besides urinary tract infections, antibiotics may also be preferred as an effective treatment for cystitis. No medication should be taken on personal decision without seeing a doctor. This is because the most suitable medication and dose, according to the condition of the infection, should be determined by a urologist specialized in the field. If infections occur very frequently, then, in addition to antibiotic therapy, any structural disorder of the urinary system, stones or masses that may cause infection are treated.

In addition to these medical treatments, the doctor recommends drinking plenty of water. Also, keeping the genital area clean is important: using cleaning products suitable for the health of the genital area, washing that area frequently, and wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear in daily life are also important for protection against infection.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urinary Tract Infection

When there is a urinary tract infection, a treatment method should be sought as soon as possible. If treatment is delayed, the infection may spread to the kidneys and cause damage to them. On the other hand, when bacteria and infection in the urinary tract continue to increase, they can enter the bloodstream. Bacteria that enter the blood and begin to multiply in other organs, damaging them, can be described as sepsis. This condition can damage other organs as well and, in advanced stages, can even lead to death. Urinary tract infections can also occur in babies and children. In early stages, symptoms generally described as restlessness, constant crying, fever, vomiting, blood in the urine and an unusual odor may be seen. A baby or child showing these symptoms should be taken to the nearest healthcare facility. A physician specialized in the field will support recovery as quickly as possible with the infection treatment appropriate for the baby or child. Urinary tract infection may recur frequently in cases such as an anatomical disorder, stone or mass that may cause infection. Also, since the female urinary system is anatomically more prone to infection, infection may recur after treatment. Urinary tract infection may in some cases cause nausea or lower back pain. However, these symptoms alone are not sufficient to diagnose a urinary tract infection; they should be evaluated together with other symptoms. Frequent urination during pregnancy, pain and discomfort when urinating, urge to urinate even though the bladder is empty, groin pain, fever and nausea are symptoms that may suggest a urinary tract infection. Because this infection can affect the baby in pregnant women and cause miscarriage or preterm birth, the nearest healthcare facility should be consulted for treatment as soon as possible. Urinary tract infection usually does not resolve on its own. Antibiotic treatment is often required. Treatment should be started as soon as possible with a urologist specialized in the field. If a urinary tract infection occurs in pregnant women, the infection may affect the baby. This may cause miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy, or preterm birth in later stages. For this reason, pregnant women should show maximum care regarding precautions against urinary tract infection, especially when medication use is considered restricted. In pools, which are among shared-use areas, when the necessary hygiene cannot be ensured, unclean pool water can affect the genital area and cause bacterial growth. This can lead to urinary tract infection. If urinary tract infection symptoms are present, the urology department of the nearest healthcare facility and a urologist specialized in the field should be consulted. The urologist makes a diagnosis by performing appropriate tests according to the person's symptoms and determines the treatment method to resolve the infection as quickly as possible. Urinary tract infection treatment generally proceeds with medication. Herbs or teas that are recommended as herbal remedies may be advised, generally because they have a diuretic effect that supports urine output. In this way, drinking plenty of water can be aimed for. However, whatever the herb, it should not be used in an uncontrolled way or without a recommendation from a physician specialized in the field. Urinary tract infection is among the infections frequently seen in all age groups in society, whether babies, children or adults. In case of a possible urinary tract infection, the urology department of the nearest healthcare facility and a urologist there should be consulted, and the diagnosis and treatment process should be started as soon as possible. Treating urinary tract infection is important first for pregnant women, and then for all other age groups. It should not be neglected.