UTIs: Fact or Fiction?
Did you know 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men will feel the symptoms of at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime? Furthermore, 1 in 5 women who have a UTI will have another one at some point. Even though men are less prone to developing a UTI, if they do develop one, they are likely to have another because the bacteria will hide in the prostate.
This information puts UTIs firmly in the “fact” category, but their severity can vary from person to person.
What Causes UTIs?
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder. In more serious cases, this bladder infection can spread to the kidneys and become life-threatening once it enters the bloodstream. A majority of the time, UTIs are cleared up in a matter of days with the aid of antibiotics. More complicated UTIs may not be treatable with antibiotics, however, and will require further medical attention.
Unfortunately, some people are just more prone to UTIs than others. Low estrogen levels in the vagina and sexual intercourse are known causes of UTIs in women, as well as condoms with sperm-killing foam.
Diseases like diabetes are also known to increase the chances of developing a UTI because the body’s immune system is weaker and therefore more susceptible to infection.
UTIs in women are generally viewed as uncomplicated and are treated easily, but UTIs in men and children should be evaluated by a urologist as they tend to be more complicated.
What Are the Symptoms of a UTI?
The most common symptoms of a UTI include:
1. Blood in Urine
Although this can sometimes mean other issues in the urinary tract and should always be evaluated by a doctor, pink or cola-colored urine can be an indicator of a UTI.
2. Frequent Need to Urinate
Oftentimes UTIs present themselves with a frequent urge to urinate, but upon reaching the bathroom, only a few drops of urine can be produced. This can be very frustrating and is often the first sign people notice when they develop an infection.
3. Burning Sensation
If you are unable to produce a normal amount of urine and feel a burning sensation when doing so, you should speak to a healthcare provider. A burning feeling while urinating is one of the most common signs of a UTI.
It is important to note that if you develop a fever, chills, or back pain, it could be an indicator of a kidney infection and should be taken very seriously. If you experience these symptoms accompanied by the above, more common UTI symptoms, speak with your doctor right away.
How Do You Treat a UTI?
Treatment for uncomplicated UTIs involves a short round of prescribed antibiotics without a urine culture. All antibiotics are different, so depending on what your doctor prescribes you may take one pill a day or four, but this is usually limited to a 3 to 4-day process. Even if your symptoms subside after two days, be sure you finish the full round of medication that your doctor prescribes. UTIs will often return if not fully treated. Complicated UTIs may require antibiotics administered through an IV.
What if a UTI Frequently Returns?
For some women who are genetically predisposed to developing UTIs, it could be a lifelong issue. However, careful management can change how it affects their lives.
If you develop frequent UTIs, your doctor may put you on a low-dose nightly antibiotic for up to 6 months. This is shown to reduce UTIs by 95 percent. However, once you stop taking the antibiotics you may develop symptoms again. In this case, a doctor may try “self-treatment”.
If this is pursued, a doctor will give you a urine culture device and a course of antibiotics. When you feel the onset of symptoms, you take a urine culture at home and begin the antibiotics. The urine culture is then tested by a urologist to find out if there are bacteria in the urine.
UTIs are never fun to deal with, and can potentially threaten your health a great deal. If you develop symptoms of a UTI, you should contact your doctor right away. Visit our website for more urology info and to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
