Causes Of Frequent Bladder Infections

Who Is Affected By Utis And How Are They Treated

Women are more commonly affected by them than men. Around half of women will need treatment for at least one UTI during their lifetime.

If treated with the right antibiotics, UTIs normally cause no further problems and the infection soon passes. Though complications are uncommon, they can be serious and include kidney damage and blood poisoning, which can be fatal.

Reasons Why You Might Get Recurring Utis

Many women who get a urinary tract infection may get one again at some point in their lives. In fact, one in five women experience recurrent UTIsan infection that occurs two times or more within six months or at least three times in a year. Men can get recurrent UTIs too, but it is not as common and is often due to some type of urinary tract blockage.

Causes Of Bladder Infection In Both Sexes

Cystitis usually causes a frequent, urgent need to urinate and a burning or painful sensation while urinating. These symptoms usually develop over several hours or a day. The urgent need to urinate may cause an uncontrollable loss of urine , especially in older people. Fever is rarely present. Pain is usually felt above the pubic bone and often in the lower back as well. Frequent urination during the night may be another symptom. The urine may be cloudy in severe infection. Uncommonly, when infection results from an abnormal connection between the bladder and the intestine or the vagina , air can be passed in the urine .

Doctors can usually diagnose cystitis based on its typical symptoms. A midstream urine specimen Obtaining a Clean-Catch Urine Sample is collected so that the urine is not contaminated with bacteria from the vagina or the tip of the penis. A strip of test paper is sometimes dipped into the urine to do two quick and simple tests for substances that are normally not found in the urine. The testing strip can detect nitrites that are released by bacteria. The testing strip can also detect leukocyte esterase , which may indicate that the body is trying to clear the urine of bacteria. In adult women, these may be the only tests necessary.

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Can A Uti Be A Sign Of Cancer Or Other Problems

Dr. Rx

If you have more than three UTIs in a year, you should be evaluated by a urologist. When infections occur in rapid succession, it can be a sign of an underlying problem with bladder or kidney drainage. Sometimes, when no specific cause is found, a low dose daily preventive antibiotic is used to prevent infection over a period of months. Dr. Mindrup

The vast majority of UTIs are not a sign of a serious disease. Yet when they keep coming back, you should see a doctor. They will rule out other causes such as kidney stones, poor drainage of the kidney or bladder, or tumors, all of which are rare causes of UTI.

In rare instances, recurrent UTIs can lead to a life threatening condition called urosepsis or bladder cancer.

Urinary Tract Infections And Dementia

Urinary tract infections are a type of infection common among older people. If a person with a memory impairment or dementia has a UTI, this can cause sudden and severe confusion known as delirium.

Urinary tract infections and dementia

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Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection In Pregnancy

UTI is the most frequent medical complication of pregnancy. The risk factors of preterm delivery, low infant birth weight and abortions are most commonly associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy. In pregnancy, factors that contribute to UTI risk are ureteric and renal pelvis dilation increased urinary pH decreased muscle tone of the ureters, and glycosuria, which promotes bacterial growth. Treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy reduces the risk of pyelonephritis. As RUTIs are common in pregnancy, they need prophylactic treatment if they occur. Screening for bacteriuria is recommended in all pregnant women at their first prenatal visit and then in the third trimester., They should subsequently be treated with antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin, sulfisoxazole or cephalexin.,, Antibiotic prophylaxis for RUTI in pregnant women is effective using continuous or post-coital regimens. The causative organisms of UTI in pregnancy are similar to those found in non-pregnant patients, with E. coli accounting for 8090% of infections., Urinary group B streptococcal infections in pregnant women need to be treated and followed by intrapartum prophylaxis.

What Causes Male Bladder Infection

Bladder infection is normally caused by bacteria which multiply in the urethra and travel into the bladder. These bacteria include Staphylococcus, Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. If left unchecked, the infection can grow further and reach the kidneys and ultimately, get into the bloodstream.

Although rare, bladder infection in males can sometimes be caused by fungi or other parasites.

Predisposing Factors for Bladder Infection in Men

While bladder infections and UTIs in general are not very common in men, some factors can increase the risk. These include:

• Circumcision Circumcised men are less likely to develop a bladder infection than their uncircumcised counterparts.
• Age Due to enlargement of the prostate gland, men who are 50 years and above are more likely to contract bladder infection.
• Pre-existing conditions Conditions such as kidney stones can cause blockages that would increase the risk of an infection.
• Anal sex Anal sex increases the risk of getting sexually-transmitted UTIs.
• Disruption in the normal flow of urine caused by a catheter When the flow of urine is disrupted, it is difficult to wash away the microbes.
• A weak immune system caused by conditions like HIV or diabetes

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How Can I Help Prevent Recurrent Utis

You can help your child reduce their risk of developing another UTI. Dr. Kronborg shares these suggestions to help prevent infections down the road.

Predisposing Factors For Recurrent Uti

Risk factors for recurrent UTIs in younger women include:

• Sexual intercourse
• Which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the urinary tract

Risk factors for recurrent UTIs in postmenopausal women include:

• Post menopausal changes in the vaginal tissues which make:
• Vaginal and urethral tissues thinner and more fragile
• Results in a change in the balance of the normal healthy bacteria in the vagina

Risk factors for recurrent UTIs in men include:

• Blockage in the urinary tract e.g.:
• Due to benign enlargement of the prostate gland

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Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis

Bladder infections are sometimes difficult to diagnose in elders because of uncommon symptoms that might occur. If a bladder infection is suspected, the easiest way to get a diagnosis is to go to the doctors and have a urinalysis done.

With a simple urine culture a doctor is able to tell whether you have an infection or not, what kind of bacteria caused your UTI and what antibiotic should be used to treat it.

What Causes Recurrent Utis

Bacteria can enter the urinary tract from the outside to cause a UTI to come back, or a recurrent infection can be caused by bacteria that remain in the urinary tract after a previous infection. Symptoms of recurrent UTI in men and women include the frequent urge to urinate, burning pain or pressure, cloudy or discolored urine, bloody urine, and chills and fever. Children with UTIs are more likely to have fever without the other symptoms. Common conditions that can lead to recurrent UTIs include:

• Being in a nursing home or hospital
• Diabetes
• Having an infected or enlarged prostate
• Being born with an abnormality of the urinary tract

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Does Cranberry Juice Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection

Many people say that cranberry juice can help treat, or even prevent, a UTI. Researchers are currently looking into the topic, but havent found a definitive answer yet. Healthcare providers recommend drinking lots of fluids if you have, or have a history of getting, a UTI. Adding a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet isnt a proven way to prevent a UTI, but it typically wont hurt you either.

Which Bacteria Cause Uti

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of UTI and is responsible for about 80 to 85% of all UTIs. Other bacteria involved in UTIs include Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas and Enterococcus. UTIs are rarely due to viral, fungal and parasitic infections.

It is thought that in women who experience recurrent bacterial UTI that the normal healthy bacteria that live in the vagina are replaced by uropathogenic bacteria from the bowel. Uropathogenic bacteria have features that make it easier for them to enter, breed and survive in the urinary tract.

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What Causes An Enlarged Bladder

An enlarged bladder is a relatively common condition. There are many possible causes.

One of the most common causes is an obstruction of the urinary system. This can occur in the ureters that connect the kidney to the bladder, or in the urethra which passes urine from the bladder to exit the body. When there is an obstruction, the bladder has to work hard to pass the urine past the obstruction. This can lead to a loss of elasticity in the bladder walls. Typical forms of obstruction are kidney stones and tumors. Prompt recognition of these conditions can prevent the bladder from becoming enlarged.

Some people have trouble urinating. They produce a large volume of urine, but they never fully empty their bladders. This prevents the bladder from returning to its usual size and leaves it stretched out.

Some babies are born with enlarged bladders, although they may not present symptoms until later in life. If an enlarged bladder is discovered in a child, but they are not suffering any negative consequences, then simply monitoring them closely is an appropriate course of action.

People who are both obese and have diabetes may be more likely to develop enlarged bladders.

Some neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and paralysis, can lead to an inability to empty the bladder regularly enough.

What Are The Treatment Options For Uti

Urine alkalizer and antibiotics are the first choices for treating urinary tract infections .

The physician chooses antibiotics to treat your UTI based on:

• Effectiveness of the antibiotic toward infecting bacteria.
• The severity of the infection.
• Your age group.
• Antibiotic resistance.

Some of the antibiotics used to treat UTIs include:

• Beta-lactams, including penicillins and cephalosporins many organisms have shown resistance to some of these drugs
• Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole combination antibiotic many organisms may show resistance to this type of antibiotic
• Fluoroquinolones avoid giving them to pregnant women or the pediatric population
• Tetracyclines are used for Mycoplasma or Chlamydia infections never use them to treat pregnant women or the pediatric population
• Aminoglycosides are usually used in combination with other antibiotics to treat severe UTIs
• Macrolides are used more often to treat some urinary problems caused by sexually transmitted diseases
• Fosfomycin , a synthetic phosphonic acid derivative, is used for acute cystitis but not in complicated UTIs

Apart from antibiotics, cranberry juice is known to show improvement in UTIs however, monitor for the following signs if you are drinking cranberry juice to treat UTIs:

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Alcohol Use May Be The Root Cause Of Your Bladder Discomfort And Urinary Tract Infections

If you are prone to urinary tract infections and struggle to limit your alcohol consumption< , then you may wonder if drinking too much can cause a UTI. After all, some people get UTI symptoms after drinking alcohol.

While alcohol does not directly cause UTIs, it can raise your risk of getting a UTI, as well as worsen your symptoms. Sometimes, alcohol use can even mimic the symptoms of a UTI, making you feel like you have an infection when you dont have one. Additionally, avoid alcohol use with medications that treat UTIs.

What Can Cause A Bladder Infection

By Oxford Urgent Care

If youve ever had a urinary tract infection, then you know the excruciating pain it can cause. This pain can not only affect your physical health but your mental health as well. In fact, a 2017 review of studies found that people with urinary tract conditions experience higher levels of psychological stress, which can worsen symptoms.

Though mild bladder infections may go away on their own, most do not. Seek urgent medical care if symptoms persist for more than 24-48 hours.

A bladder infection is an infection in any part of the urinary system, the kidneys, bladder or urethra. While bladder infections are 14 times more frequent in women, men may also suffer from UTIs and symptoms like pelvic pain, an increased urge to urinate, burning pain with urination and blood in the urine.

While you may be familiar with the painful symptoms associated with these infections, you may not know whats causing them. If you understand common urinary infection causes, you will be in a better position to prevent them.

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What Can You Do If You Keep Getting Utis

If you keep getting UTIs, you must talk to your doctor. After talking with you, your doctor will either recommend treatments for recurring urinary infections or send you to a special doctor called a urologist. A urologist focuses on diseases and problems of the entire urinary system, so he may be able to better pinpoint what is causing your infections and how to treat and prevent them.In addition to the tips mentioned above, you can also take some other simple steps to help prevent UTIs, such as:

• Drink plenty of water.

How To Beat Recurrent Utis

A UTI, known in full as a urinary tract infection, is a common infection that affects the urinary tract, comprised of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. UTIs are very common, especially among women, because their urinary tracts are more exposed. Bacteria like E.coli are usually the cause, but certain fungi can also result in an infection. A UTI is typically characterized by a frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or dark urine, a burning sensation when urinating, pelvic pain, and a strong urine odor. People with UTIs also report feeling constant discomfort.

Antibiotics commonly treat UTIs. However, many people have reported recurrent infections even after treatment. This is typically because the infection-causing bacteria are not eliminated completely. Women can experience recurrent infections four or more times a year. However, this does not mean it is impossible to beat recurrent infections. Below are some tips to help you prevent recurrent UTIs.

Drink plenty of water or unsweetened drinks

Increase your vitamin C intake

Some evidence shows that taking Vitamin C can help reduce recurrent UTIs. This is because vitamin C increases acidity in your urine, and this acidic environment in your urinary tract helps kill the bacteria that cause UTIs. You can increase your vitamin C intake by eating more fruits and vegetables, like oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, and red peppers. Taking vitamin C as a supplement can also help with UTI treatment.

Practice proper hygiene

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What Causes Urinary Tract Infections

Normal urine is sterile and contains fluids, salts, and waste products. It does not contain bacteria, viruses, or fungi. A UTI occurs when germs, most often bacteria from the digestive tract, get into the opening of the urethra and start to multiply.

Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, which normally live in the colon.

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How Are Chronic Utis Treated

If you have recurrent or chronic UTIs, your doctor may send you to a urologist who specializes in diseases of the urinary system. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some of the ways that recurrent UTIs are evaluated and treated include:

• Testing The doctor will want to take a urine sample to test for bacteria and white blood cells. It may be necessary to do special X-ray studies to see if there is an obstruction or stones in the urinary tract. A urologist may look into your bladder by passing a special scope through the opening into your bladder. This exam is called cystoscopy.
• Antibiotics for Treatment Normally, UTIs responds very well to antibiotics, and you may only need to take medication for a few days. For recurrent UTIs, antibiotics may be needed for 10 days or more.
• Surgery In some cases of prostate disease, stones, or other obstruction of the urinary system, surgery may be done to restore normal flow of urine and help clear up infections.
• Antibiotics for Prevention Some strategies to prevent recurrent UTIs with antibiotics include taking low-dose antibiotics for six months or taking antibiotics after sexual intercourse.
• Frequent Urine Testing Women who have recurrent UTIs may benefit from testing their urine frequently with a dipstick that warns of any bacteria in the urine.

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