Urinary tract infection(UTI) is a prevalent type of infection within your urinary system. Compared to men, women are more likely to get a UTI. The majority of UTIs are caused by bacteria, however, occasionally viruses and fungi might also be responsible. This blog revolves around urine infection treatment, symptoms, and causes in detail. Hence, let’s get going.
Urinary system
Let’s first look into the urinary system to better understand urinary tract infections. The urinary system produces and stores urine. It comprises of
Kidney-Your blood is filtered to remove waste materials and water, resulting in urine.
Ureters-Urine is transported from your kidneys to your bladder through tiny tubes called ureters.
Bladder-Before urine leaves your body, it is stored in your bladder, an organ that resembles a balloon.
Urethra-Urine is transported from your bladder to the outside of your body through the urethra.
Urine tract infection(UTI)
The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra are all parts of the urinary system. The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and urethra, which are frequently affected by infections.However, ureters and kidneys, which are found in the upper tract, can also be impacted by UTIs. Further, upper tract UTIs are typically more severe than lower tract UTIs, while being less common.
Causes
Bacteria are the primary infectious agents responsible for urinary tract infections. Usually, they enter through your urethra and can cause bladder infection which is lower tract UTIs. Sometimes, the infection could move up from your bladder through your ureters and finally reach your kidneys causing upper tract UTIs.
Symptoms
*Burning sensation while urination
* Blood in the urine is indicated by red, bright pink, or cola-coloured urine.
*Pain while urinating
*Urine with a strong odour
*Feeling of discomfort or pressure at your back or lower abdomen
*Fever and feeling tired
*Pelvic pressure
*Nausea and vomiting
*Chills
Diagnosis
A urine sample will be taken to check for microorganisms that can cause UTIs. If you get recurrent urinary tract infections, doctors may perform additional testing such as an MRI, CT, or ultrasound. They may also use a cystoscope, which is a long, flexible tube, to examine your bladder and urethra.
Urine infection treatment
Whether a urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi determines how it should be treated. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial UTIs. Oral antibiotics are typically effective in treating UTIs in the lower tract. On the other hand, intravenous antibiotics are necessary for upper tract UTIs.
Here, you might require medical attention in a hospital, where doctors would inject medication into a vein, generally in your arm, to treat you. Meanwhile, antivirals are used to treat viral UTIs and antifungals are used to treat fungus-related UTIs.
To sum up
Appropriate urine infection treatment is essential if you have a urinary tract infection. Consult your doctor to diagnose the infection early and handle the medical condition effectively.