How Do You Get Rid Of A UTI?

Have you ever wondered how do you get rid a UTI? If yes, you can be sure you came in the right place.

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infection, shortly known as UTI, is a bacterial infection that affects the bladder, kidneys, ureters or urethra. These tubes and organs compile the urinary tract. Most UTis are infections of the kidney or bladder.

Urinary tract infections are rarely serious when it comes to a health adult. Still, UTI may cause kidney damage as well as life-threatening if not treated promptly, especially in people who associate other risk factors which predispose to other complications.

Normally, the causes of UTI are represented by bacteria that enter in the urethra and their ascension into the urinary tract. Large bowel bacteria present in the faeces represent the most frequent causes.

Among the most probable causes of urinary tract infection in a woman is sexual contact which will favor the introduction of bacteria into the urethra. Both men and women can experience this infection if they delay to urinate. Other causes that may lead to this illness are obstruction or issues of the urinary tract.

It`s less likely for bacteria in the lymphatic system or the bloodstream to reach the urinary tract.

The main majority of these infections are diagnosed on the basis of the signs and urine summary. Urinalysis may be used to confirm the suspicion of this infection, but it`s not always required. A lot of doctors prescribe antibiotics when UTI is concerned without waiting the result of urinalysis if the signs and results of the urine summary suggest this infection.

Further tests could be done if the signs don`t really improve under the treatment or the illness can become complicated during pregnancy, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, diabetes or other medical conditions. Most infections can be treated with success using oral antibiotics. The period of the treatment very much depends on the infection`s location, sex and age, but also on the presence or absence of the medical conditions which favor complications like pregnancy, diabetes or prostate issues.

UTIs are among the most frequent bacterial illnesses of the organism and anyone at just about any age can experience this infection. But the largest group affected by this condition is by far the younger or middle-aged sexes. Children or twins of both sexes also have a high risk of developing urinary tract infections compared to groups of other ages.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

Bacteria that enter the urethra and reach the urinary tract represent the main cause of urinary tract infection.

Another infection source is represented by bacteria which live in the large intestine and are present in the stool.

Sexual contacts favor the introduction of bacteria in the urinary tract, especially when women are concerned.

The catheters (small and flexible tubes which are introduced into the bladder for allowing the urine to flow) are common sources of infection in hospitalized persons for long periods of time or those who have these catheters permanently.

On occasion, bacteria may penetrate the lymphatic system or the bloodstream, causing kidney or bladder infections.

Kidney stones, prostate enlargement when men are concerned as well as other urinary tract anomalies may contribute in UTI by limiting the organism`s ability of eliminating urine.

Some women, due to their genetic structure, are more likely to experience a recurrent infection of their urinary tract.

Risk Factors for Women

Urinary tract infections are more frequent in women who have a sexual activity. The factors that increase the risk for UTI are:

• Sexual activity: especially in women who use diaphragm and spermicide; studies show that 1 woman can do 3 times more UTIs if her sexual partner uses a condom with spermicide.
• Pregnancy: the pregnant woman has the risk of causing asymptomatic bacteriuria and developing a symptomatic infection; the risk of premature birth may be increased as well.
• Previous urinary tract infections.
• Using hygienic items that contain deodorant.
• Insufficient fluid intake: a high consumption of fluids may increase the volume of urine by reducing bacteria in the bladder and urinary tract.
• Lack of estrogen allows the development of bacteria which cause urinary tract infection, which favor their multiplication faster in the urethra and vagina; premenopausal and postmenopausal women who don`t take estrogen are at a more increased risk for developing urinary tract infections.

Risk Factors for Men

The factors which increase the risk for urinary tract infections in men are:

• Prostate affections: the man is more prone to UTIs as he become older due to prostate issues, like prostatitis or prostate enlargement.
• Anal sex.
• HIV infection.
• The non-circumcision of the penis.
• Unprotected sex with a woman with vaginal infection.

Sometimes men develop UTIs without other complications. The most frequent urinary tract infection is frequently related to prostate issues. This will make them harder to treat. The presence of a large prostate volume which often happens in invariant men reduces the body`s ability to eliminate urine. Recurrent UTIs indicate the presence of epididymitis, prostatitis or other issues of the urinary tract.

Risk Factors for Women & Men

There are several factors that occur in both men and women, which include:

• Urinary catheter carriers, as it often occurs in elderly adults who are hospitalized for long periods of time or live in the care units.
• Proving increases the risk of symptomatic bacteriuria as well.
• Kidney stones or other obstruction involving the urinary tract: they may block urine leakage, which increase the risk of an infection caused by bacteria.
• Diabetes: persons who experience this illness are at a higher risk of UTI as their immunity is affected; also, experiencing increased blood glucose for a long period of time alters the kidney filtration system.
• Urinary tract structure issues: they might be present at birth or later in life.

What Are the Symptoms of UTI?

Signs of UTI involve:

• Vomiting & nausea;
• Pain & burning during urination;
• Chills & fever;
• The urgent necessity to urinate often, however eliminating a small urine amount;
• Bad urine;
• Pain or weight feeling experienced in the lower abdomen;
• Cloudy & bad urine;
• Pink & rust urine.

Some persons might present bacteria in their urinary tract without showing any signs. This case is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. This is found in some cases, like while pregnant or before urinary tract surgery, but is generally neglected if signs don`t really occur.

Other several serious conditions, such as vaginal infection or bladder irritation, cause similar symptoms to those in the UTI. The doctor will evaluate the health of the person if he has one or more of these urinary signs, the subsequent treatment depending largely on the disease`s history and the way he`ll respond to the treatment for UTI.

Consult a Specialist

You need to consult your doctor when you feel pain when urinating or other signs of infection that involves your urinary tract associated with:

• Fever & chills;
• Pregnancy;
• Vomiting & nausea;
• Back pain below the chest, on one side of your body.

Also, you should let your doctor know in the event of the following situations:

• If you experienced signs of UTI before and now they reappeared;
• If you experienced minor signs of UTI that didn`t disappear after 1 or 2 days, such as burning sensation or pain when urinating, urine with bad odor, frequent urination or urinating in low amounts;
• When you are under treatment for UTI and the signs don`t improve or they seem to improve, but they appear;
• Blood or pus in urine;
• UTI symptoms in diabetics.

How Do You Get Rid of a UTI?

• Get enough rest and drink lots of liquids.
• Don`t have any sexual contacts while treating your infection. You may get new bacteria and reduce your chances of recovery.
• Take all the drugs prescribed by the doctor.
• If you experience any pain, take some Ibuprofen, even if you take other remedies.
• Avoid using massage oils or lotions, unless specifically outlined by your doctor. Chemical substances in part of these particular products may lead to UTI.
• You should use a heating pad to maximize your comfort. Even though this won`t get rid of your infection, it might aid ease your signs. The heating shouldn`t be hot but rather warm, and should be applied to the lower abdomen to alleviate pain, pressure or any other discomforts related with this infection.
• Don`t take antibiotics or consume cranberry. It may seem that will help for the moment, but it will make things worse.

How Long Does It Take for a UTI to Go Away with Antibiotics?

While signs generally go away about 3 days after the treatment with antibiotics, it may take up to 5 days for the entire bacteria in the urinary tract to die. In men, it might take even longer than that.

• It` crucial for you to finish the whole antibiotic treatment prescribed by your doctor, unless he tells you anything different.
• If you stop taking your treatment before it`s over, you won`t allow the antibiotics to kill all the bacteria.
• If you won`t feel better after a couple of days, or your signs continue after you`ve take all the antibiotics, get in touch with the doctor right away.

What Can I Take Over the Counter for a UTI?

Before visiting your doctor or until your antibiotic treatment begins working, AZO can offer you products which can allow you to remain proactive when it comes to managing your infection. According to AZOProducts.com, you can control the spread of your UTI using AZO Urinary Tract Defense or alleviate your painful signs rapidly with a pain reliever known as AZO Urinary Pain Relief AMximum Strength or AZO Urinary Pain Relief.

What Happens if a UTI Goes Untreated for a Week?

Kidney infection is a very severe medical condition which may occur if a urinary tract infection isn`t treated, and requires a much more aggressive treatment that includes antibiotics. Scientists claim that infections related to the bladder seldom progress around the kidneys. If an infection to the kidneys occurs in a woman who is healthy, she could be cured with antibiotics. However, to make certain that a treatment with antibiotics will still be efficient at some point in the future, it`s essential to limit the antibiotics only for mild infections (e.g. bladder infections). Also, it`s very important for women experiencing UTI signs be supervised by a physician if they decide to delay antibiotic treatment.

Can an Untreated UTI Kill You?

An untreated urinary tract infection might spread to the kidney, leading to more illness or pain. It may cause sepsis as well. Another term generally used to describe this condition caused by UTI is urosepsis. Other times also known as blood poisoning, sepsis is often the deadly response of the body to injury or infection. Sepsis disables millions of people or even kills them, and needs early and fast treatment for survival.