Monday, March 25, 2024

What Happens When A Bladder Infection Goes Untreated

Must Read

When To See Your Doctor

I took antibiotics for a urinary tract infection, but don’t feel quite better yet. What should I do?

See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency — but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.

How Is A Uti Diagnosed

In older adults who have symptoms of a UTI, a simple urine test called a urinalysis can confirm infection. In some cases, the doctor requests a urine culture to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection and help determine the best antibiotic to treat it.

However, its important to know that older adults often have bacteria in the urine that dont cause any symptoms. This condition is called asymptomatic bacteriuria, and it often resolves on its own without treatment.

Doctors now recommend against doing a urine test to check for a UTI, unless patients have typical, bothersome UTI symptoms. This is to avoid the excessive use of antibiotics to treat infection, which can lead to antibiotic resistance.

How Does A Vet Check For A Uti In Dogs

Pennys devastating story covers the importance of the early portion of early detection. Next, lets address the detection portion. After your vet performs a comprehensive physical exam and checks your dogs vital signs, he or she will want to examine a sample of your dogs urine.

In some cases, your dogs veterinarian may need to collect a sterile sample from the dogs bladder by cystocentesisdrawing the urine directly from the bladder using a needle. It sounds awful, but it is a very common, safe procedure and most dogs barely seem to notice. Also, it is the best way to get an idea of what the urine in the bladder is like, especially if your vet plans to culture your dogs urine.

You see, as we have discussed, bacteria can live around the external opening of the urethra and even start crawling up the urethra. So, if you collect a sample of your dogs urine when he or she urinates , that urine contains anything that was in the bladder PLUS whatever bacteria or debris were in or around the urethra.

Your vet may still be able to assess whether or not your dog has a UTI based on that sample, but sometimes the results are ambiguous. Plus, that sample isnt useful for a culture because of the bacteria from the urethra and surrounding skin.

By the way, in the event that your vet does want you to collect a urine sample at home, check out the tips in my blog, 7 Tips for Improving Your Dogs Lab Tests.

Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Exercise For The Bladder

What If The Infection Does Not Clear Up With Treatment

Most infections clear up with treatment. However, if an infection does not clear up, or if you have repeated infections, you may be given some special tests such as:

  • a type of x-ray called an intravenous pyleogram , which involves injecting a dye into a vein and taking pictures of your kidney and bladder

  • an ultrasound exam, which gives a picture of your kidneys and bladder using sound waves

  • a cytoscopic exam, which uses a hollow tube with special lenses to look inside the bladder.

Can A Uti Go Away On Its Own

Kidney Infection Getting Worse

While it is possible for a urinary tract infection to improve over time, an antibiotic is usually needed to get rid of the infection fully.

When left untreated, the infection from a UTI can actually move throughout the bodybecoming very serious and even life threatening.

If you do not treat a bladder infection, it may turn into a kidney infection, which can then result in a more serious infection thats moved into the blood stream. When this happens, sepsis can occur, causing you to become very ill.

If you have symptoms that typically accompany a urinary tract infection, but arent sure if thats what youre really dealing with, its best to see a doctor to be properly diagnosed.

He or she can prescribe you an antibiotic that will have you feeling better in a matter of days.

Don’t Miss: How To Get Rid Of Bladder Leakage

How Bad Can A Uti Make You Feel

Not everyone with a UTI has symptoms, but most people have at least one. Symptons may include a frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination. It is not unusual to feel bad all overtired, shaky, washed outand to feel pain even when not urinating.

Why Do Utis Cause Confusion In The Elderly

The immune system of an older adult reacts differently to infection compared to younger people.

A bladder infection places stress on the body, says Dr. Mary Ann Forciea, an associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia.

That stress can result in confusion and abrupt changes in behavior in older adults with a UTI. And for seniors with Alzheimers disease or other types of dementia, any kind of stress, physical or emotional, will often make dementia temporarily worse, Forciea says.

Don’t Miss: Can A Bladder Infection Heal Itself

What Are Symptoms Of Severe Uti In Elderly

Symptoms of a UTI may include:

  • a more urgent need to urinate.
  • increased urination.
  • burning, pain, or discomfort when urinating.
  • feeling pressure in the lower abdomen or pelvis.
  • cloudy, thick, or odorous urine.
  • the bladder not feeling empty after urination.
  • fever.
  • pain in the lower abdomen, flank, or back.

How Are Utis Treated In Older Adults

Urinary Tract Infections

Antibiotics are the first choice of treatment for UTIs. Mild UTIs often clear up in only a few days with the right antibiotic.

However, depending on the persons age and health plus the severity of the infection, treatment for a UTI may take several weeks and a longer course of antibiotics. In more severe cases, older adults may need to be hospitalized to receive IV antibiotics.

If your loved one has symptoms of a UTI, its important to make an appointment with their doctor right away. If symptoms are severe, call the doctor immediately to determine whether a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

Recommended Reading: What Are The Symptoms Of Advanced Bladder Cancer

What Causes Urosepsis

Urosepsis starts with the development of a UTI. UTIs most often occur when bacteria enter your urinary tract through your urethra, the tube through which urine exits the body. Bacteria can get into the urethra commonly through sexual activity. The bacteria can get into your bladder, where they begin to multiply and cause an infection.

Urosepsis can occur if a UTI is left untreated. People who are more susceptible to urosepsis include:

  • women

How To Feel Better

If your healthcare professional prescribes you antibiotics:

  • Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
  • Do not share your antibiotics with others.
  • Do not save antibiotics for later. Talk to your healthcare professional about safely discarding leftover antibiotics.

Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Your healthcare professional might also recommend medicine to help lessen the pain or discomfort. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics.

Don’t Miss: How Do I Get Rid Of A Bladder Infection

How Do You Get A Uti

The design of the human body makes it so it isnt difficult to get a bacterial UTI, because the infection comes from outside, through the urethra. Bacteria in the genital area near the opening of the urethra find their way in to the urinary tract, either because wiping after going to the bathroom, sexual activity, or unsanitary conditions. Once the bacteria has entered the urethra, the body tries its best to fight it off, but sometimes the immune system cant do this, the bacteria multiply, and cause the infection.

In the case of a fungal infection, usually the fungus gets to the urinary tract through the blood stream. Those who develop this type of infection are usually ill with a disease that has compromised their immune system, such as AIDS.

In general, women get more UTIs than do men and this increases with age. Statistics show that many women get more than one. Almost 20% of women who have had one UTI will go on to have a second. Of this 20%, 30% of those will have a third, and in turn, 80% of these women will have more.

What Are The Long

All You

There are some people who experience untreated urinary tract infections. Some people who have this will get their symptoms to go away over time. Some people develop more serious conditions that cannot be ignored. It is already a known fact that women may get afflicted by UTI more than men so women may need to become more aware of the signs and symptoms of this condition.

Recurrent UTI There are some men and women who experience recurrent UTI. This means that even if they were able to treat their UTI in the past, the UTI just goes back all over and over again. If you are prone to getting UTI, you should know how to do recurrent UTI prevention.

Possible Effects of UTI on the Body What are the things that might occur when people do not get treatment for UTI? One of the reasons why people do not get treated is not because of the lack of money. Some do not get treated because they do not experience any symptoms.

There are some people who are more prone to getting these conditions because of UTI:

  • Stroke
  • Parkinsons Disease
  • Dementia

The most common serious condition that people may experience is a kidney infection. The infection from the urinary tract infection may spread to the kidney. When this happens, a portion of the kidney stops functioning. It may come to a point when the kidney does not want to function anymore and this can become a problem.

The best uti prevention is always to become more hygienic. This will decrease the chances of getting infected.

Read Also: How To Stop A Leaky Bladder Without Surgery

How To Prevent A Kidney Infection

Preventing a kidney infection is really all about preventing urinary tract infections and getting prompt treatment if you ever get one. Sorry, but dont rely on cranberry juice or supplements for thisthe science is far too mixed to consider either of these a definitive UTI-prevention method. Instead, whenever you feel a bladder infection coming on, make it a habit to drink enough water every day to stay hydrated. That will ensure youre peeing often enough to help flush out bacteria that could lead to an infection. The NIDDK recommends peeing as often as you get the urge, but definitely at least every three to four hours, since urine hanging out in your bladder for too long may help bacteria to grow, the organization says.

Kaufman also stresses the importance of urinating like a fire hose after sex. It might even be helpful to skip peeing before sex as long as that doesnt make you uncomfortable, he says. This allows you to build up a forceful stream that may better help remove any bacteria that might have been pushed up there during sex.

Also, we referenced this above, but its important to reiterate: After you pee , you should be sure to wipe from front to back, as wiping back to front can spread harmful bacteria from your rectum to your urethra, where it can cause an infection.

Relief Without A Prescription

An over-the-counter drug called phenazopyridine can help ease your pain, burning, and irritation. It also controls your need to pee frequently and urgently.

But there’s a catch. It only works on your symptoms. It doesn’t cure your infection. You still need to see your doctor to make sure you get treatment to fight the bacteria that’s causing your UTI.

Also, one common side effect: It turns your pee dark red or orange while you take it.

Recommended Reading: Bladder Problems After Endometrial Ablation

What Happens To Untreated Interstitial Cystitis

We know that interstitial cystitis is more or less similar to urinary tract infection. Hence, if you leave your condition of IC untreated, it creates a long-lasting effect on the quality of your life you lead. Especially, untreated interstitial cystitis leads to following ill effects-

Reduction In The Capacity Of Your Bladder: Interstitial cystitis and its underlying symptoms result in stiffening of the urinary bladder walls. This further leads to reducing its capability to hold the amount of urine.

Low Quality Of Life:Chronic pain in the pelvic area and the problem of frequent urination may interfere with your daily life.

Problems Related To Sexual Intimacy: Pain and frequent urination may cause strain in your sexual intimacy and other related issues.

Emotional Stress: Interrupted sleep and chronic form of pain related to interstitial cystitis and its symptoms may sometime cause huge emotional stress followed by depression.

Kidney Infection: Untreated bladder infections, including the condition of interstitial cystitis, may cause kidney infection to damage the kidneys permanently. Old adults and young children remain at high risk related to kidney damage because of bladder infections.

Presence Of Blood In The Urine: With interstitial cystitis, you may have certain blood cells in the urine, which are visible only with the microscopic device and they usually resolve with treatment.

What Happens If You Leave A Uti Untreated

Urinary Tract Infection: What Are Complications When Left Untreated? – Dr. Akl
  • What Happens if you Leave a UTI…

Many people get a bladder infection and a urinary tract infection confused, but they are actually the same thing.

This common infection happens when bacteria finds its way into the bladder. Typically, the E. coli bacteria is the cause behind the infection.

The urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Because the anus is located so near to the urethra, E. coli is usually brought to the urinary tract from the bowels.

If you are suffering from a urinary tract infection, you may experience burning when you urinate. You might also need to use the restroom more oftensometimes with a sense of urgency.

So, what causes a UTI and what can you do to prevent one? Were sharing everything you need to know to avoid the painful infection.

Also Check: What Vitamins Are Good For Bladder Health

How To Know When A Uti Turns Into A Kidney Infection

The main job of the kidney, a part of the urinary tract, is to remove waste and take extra water from your blood.

When bacteria or viruses create problems in either one or both of your kidneys, its known as a kidney infection.

This can easily happen when bad bacteria or viruses travel up your uterus.

When a kidney infection is left untreated, it can become life threatening, so its important that you seek medical attention immediately if you notice blood or pus in your pee, pain in your lower back, upset stomach or vomiting, fever and chills or loss of appetite.

What Is A Uti In Dogs

The letters UTI in UTI in dogs stand for urinary tract infection. Your dogs urinary tract consists of four components, two of whichthe kidneys and the bladder more commonly become infected.

A bladder infection is called cystitis and a kidney infection is called pyelonephritis. But often they get lumped together under the term UTI.

First, lets get an overview of the urinary system so you can picture how all the parts fit together. The paired kidneys continuously filter your dogs blood to produce urine. . This urine constantly drips down a narrow tube called a ureter, which is attached at one end to the kidney.

The other end of the ureter attaches to the bladder. As the ureter dumps urine into the bladder, the bladder begins to fill up and stretch, much like a balloon. The bladder stores the urine until your dog urinates. At that time, the urine exits the bladder via the urethra and is deposited on the ground.

That is the urinary tract in a nutshell. Regardless of how familiar with urinary tract anatomy you were prior to reading this, you probably already have some idea of what a urinary tract infection is like .

But did you know that urinary tract infections in dogs can be occult? Not occult as in wizardry or voodoo. Occult disease in medicine means that the condition occurs without obvious signs or symptoms. I suspect that there are many dogs, especially females, running around the world with undiagnosed UTIs.

Also Check: What Do They Do For Bladder Cancer

Signs Of A Kidney Infection To Know And When To Go To The Hospital

Youre probably not constantly on the lookout for signs of a kidney infection. But getting a urinary tract infection can open you up to also getting an infection in one or both kidneys, which means this is an illness that should be on your radar. Yep, it’s an unfortunate truth: A urinary tract infection can lead to a kidney infection, which is medically known as pyelonephritis and can be incredibly serious. So if youre experiencing symptoms of a UTI and thinking, Eh, I can wait a few more days to get those antibiotics, think again. Heres what you need to know about the signs of a kidney infection, its underlying causes, why its so important to get treatment as soon as you can, and more.

When To See A Doctor

Can You Really End Up With Sepsis Due To A UTI?

If youre experiencing symptoms consistent with a urinary tract infectionpainful urination, abdominal discomfort, frequent urge to pee, or blood in your urineseek out medical advice.

Your doctor is a resource to help you understand what type of UTI you have, how severe it is, and the best course of action for treatment. The good news is that your discomfort can be over in a matter of days if you take steps now to address it.

Don’t Miss: Bladder Cancer Recurrence After 5 Years

More articles

Popular Articles