What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection? What Causes Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary tract infection is a common infectious disease caused by microbes such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, especially the bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection, which manifests itself with symptoms such as painful urination, burning during urination, and frequent urination, can be controlled with early diagnosis and correct treatment without causing serious complications.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infectious disease caused by the entry and proliferation of various microorganisms, especially bacteria, into the urinary tract. The urinary tract is the channel in the human body responsible for producing, storing and ensuring that urine comes out of the body. The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, which filter the fluids and wastes in the blood and convert them into urine, the ureters responsible for carrying urine to the bladder, the bladder that stores urine, and the urethra, which allows urine to be excreted from the body. Urinary tract infection is an infection that occurs in any part of this system.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection?
Symptoms of urinary tract infection usually start out mild, but if the infection is not controlled, the severity of the symptoms may increase over time. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection also vary depending on the affected part of the urinary tract. Some of the symptoms that are often encountered in infectious diseases that affect the urinary tract include:
- Back pain,
- Nausea or vomiting,
- Feeling of pressure and pain in the pelvic area,
- Pain in the lower abdomen,
- Frequent urge to urinate,
- Pain and burning when urinating,
- Don’t feel like you haven’t fully emptied the urine.
In addition to those listed, symptoms such as high fever and bloody urine (hematuria) can also be seen in severe cases.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Women?
Urinary tract infections usually begin when a bacterium called Escherichia coli (E. coli) enters the urinary tract and multiplies there. Women’s urethra, that is, the canal through which urine is carried out of the body, is closer to the anus. This difference in the anatomical structure of women can make them more susceptible to urinary tract infections. For this reason, urinary tract infection is one of the most common infectious diseases in women. Some studies show that approximately 50-60% of women encounter urinary tract infections at some point in their lives. Although the symptoms of urinary tract infection are similar in both men and women, some differences can be seen due to its anatomical structure. Accordingly, the symptoms of urinary tract infection in women can be listed as follows:
- Frequent need to urinate: Frequent urge to urinate is a typical symptom of a urinary tract infection. However, there is usually a small amount of urine output.
- Urge to urinate: In addition to frequent urge to urinate, a urinary tract infection in women can cause an urgent urge to go to the toilet. In some cases, the urgent need to urinate may continue after urination.
- Stinging sensation during urination: Burning and stinging sensation during urination is also common in UTI patients. In some women, the stinging sensation while urinating is so severe that they may describe this sensation as if they were shards of glass.
In addition to the symptoms listed, urinary tract infection in women can also manifest itself with symptoms such as discharge, pain in the pelvic region, and bloody urine.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection in Men?
Although not as common as women, men can also have urinary tract infections. The risk of urinary tract infections in men is higher, especially after the age of 50. Some studies show that about 12% of men have a urinary tract infection at some point in life. Symptoms of urinary tract infection in men are as follows:
- Frequent need to urinate,
- Pain, burning and stinging sensation during or after urination,
- Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen,
- Urinary incontinence,
- The appearance of blood in the urine.
In addition to these, symptoms such as pain in the back and sides, nausea and vomiting, and high fever can be seen, especially in cases where the infection progresses and spreads to the kidneys.
What are the Symptoms of Chronic Urinary Tract Infection?
When urinary tract infection is diagnosed at an early stage, it can often be controlled with an appropriate treatment method. However, if the infection does not respond to treatment or the person’s immune system is weak, a stubborn urinary tract infection may be encountered. This condition, also known as chronic urinary tract infection, is defined as a urinary tract infection that does not respond to treatment or recurs. Recurrent urinary tract infection can adversely affect people’s quality of life. Accordingly, the main symptoms of chronic urinary tract infection are as follows:
- Frequent urge to urinate that persists despite treatment,
- Persistent pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen,
- Turbidity in urine color,
- In some cases, high fever, nausea and vomiting.
In addition to symptoms such as frequent urination, burning and pain during urination, which are the main symptoms of UTI, a urinary tract infection that does not go away can cause serious complications if it is not controlled. The main complications of chronic urinary tract infection are as follows:
- Kidney infections, such as nephritis, if the infection has spread to the kidney,
- Risk of permanent kidney damage in young children,
- Risk of sepsis due to infection.
In addition to these, urinary tract infection that does not go away during pregnancy can cause complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
What Causes Urinary Tract Infection?
The main cause of urinary tract infections is the entry of various bacteria, especially the bacterium called E. coli , into the urinary tract and multiplying there. However, when we look at various studies on the subject of “What causes urinary tract infection?”, it is seen that factors such as sexual intercourse, hormonal changes or some birth control methods can cause infection. Although it is not always possible to prevent urinary tract infections, it is possible to get information about the treatment of urinary tract infection with a face-to-face or online doctor interview.
What Causes Urinary Tract Infection in Women?
Women may get urinary tract infections more frequently due to their anatomical structure. The main causes of urinary tract infection in women are:
- Pregnancy
- Active sex life,
- Periods that cause changes in hormone levels, such as menopause,
- Diabetes, that is, diabetes,
- Having a catheter in the bladder,
- Anomalies in the structure of urinary tract organs such as the kidney, bladder and urethra,
- Suppressed immune system due to reasons such as weak immune system or drug use.
In addition to these, cosmetic products such as soaps and deodorants can also cause the normal flora of the genital area to deteriorate and bacteria to enter the body more easily.
What Causes Urinary Tract Infection in Men?
When it comes to the causes of urinary tract infections in men, sexually transmitted infectious diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea come to mind. In addition, the main causes of urinary tract infection in men are:
- Prostate gland diseases such as prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), inflammation of the prostate,
- Kidney stones that cause obstruction,
- Insertion of a catheter into the bladder for any reason,
- Not drinking enough water.
In addition, having recently undergone any surgical operation from the urinary tract can also increase the risk of infection in men.
How Does a Urinary Tract Infection Pass? What is good for you?
Urinary tract infection is a common infectious disease that affects about 50% of women and about 12% of men in the older age group. Symptoms of urinary tract infection, such as the need to go to the toilet frequently and difficulty urinating, can lead to a deterioration in a person’s quality of life. For this reason, for the vast majority of people diagnosed with infection, “How does a urinary tract infection go?” is a matter of curiosity. Although there are some methods that can be applied at home to pass urinary tract infection, it is important to make an online doctor’s appointment from a health institution and have the necessary controls done. Urinary tract infection is a health problem that can cause a person to deteriorate their quality of life. For this reason, especially for those who have frequent urinary tract infections, the answers to questions such as “What is good for urinary tract infection?” are important. In this process, drinking plenty of water, avoiding drinks such as coffee and citrus juice that can irritate the bladder and cause frequent urination, and applying hot compresses to the abdomen can help relieve symptoms. In addition to these, avoiding sexual intercourse until the infection has passed can also help prevent the progression of the infection.
How Is Urinary Tract Infection Treated?
For the treatment of urinary tract infection, specialists first determine the type of microbe causing the infection. Most of the time, antibiotic therapy helps solve the problem in urinary tract infections caused by bacterial infections. It is important to use antibiotics prescribed by doctors as recommended. In addition, it is recommended not to take antibiotics without consulting a doctor, as the misuse of antibiotics can also harm beneficial bacteria in the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cold Feet Cause Urinary Tract Infection?
It is difficult to say that a cold feet can directly cause a urinary tract infection. On the other hand, some studies show that cold feet can trigger symptoms of lower urinary tract infection (bladder and urethra). Some studies show that 90% of women avoid going to the toilet, especially in areas where public toilets are located, because they do not find hygienic conditions suitable, and this increases the frequency of urinary tract infections.
Does Urinary Tract Infection Go Away On Its Own?
It is possible for a urinary tract infection to go away on its own without the need for any treatment such as antibiotic treatment with some methods that can be applied at home, such as drinking plenty of water and keeping the lower abdomen warm. However, since infection that is not treated in the early period can cause serious complications such as kidney inflammation and sepsis (shock), it is important to seek help from a specialist physician in cases where infection is suspected.
How Many Days Does a Urinary Tract Infection Pass?
The duration of urinary tract infection may vary depending on factors such as the severity of the infection, the person’s immune system, and the urinary tract organ affected by the infection. Most of the time, symptoms begin to regress within 3 days after the start of antibiotic treatment. Experts state that the infection will pass within 3 to 5 days with the help of antibiotic treatment that is started in the early period and suitable for the person.
Does a Cold Cause a Urinary Tract Infection?
While the cold itself does not directly cause infection, there are some studies that show that staying in cold weather for long periods of time may increase the risk. Urinary tract infection is inflammation of the urinary tract due to microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. However, some research shows that exposure to cold can exacerbate existing urinary tract infection symptoms.
Does Holding Urine Cause a Urinary Tract Infection?
According to research, holding urine for a long time is an important factor that increases the risk of urinary tract infections. The main task of urine is to remove waste and harmful substances from the body. When urine is held for a long time, bacteria such as
How is a Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed?
The easiest way to understand urinary tract infection is to consult a doctor who is an expert in the field and have the necessary controls done. Urinary tract infection manifests itself with symptoms such as frequent urination, burning during urination, restlessness in the lower abdomen, pain in the pelvic region, and a feeling of inability to empty the urine completely. However, for a definitive diagnosis, a specialist doctor should be consulted and necessary tests should be done. In cases where urinary tract infection is suspected, specialists can diagnose with the help of tests such as urinalysis and urine culture.
Which Department and Doctor to Go to for Urinary Tract Infection?
Those who show symptoms of urinary tract infection such as the need to go to the toilet urgently, discomfort in the lower abdomen, nausea, and the feeling of not being able to empty the urine completely despite frequent toilet visits can apply to the internal medicine (internal medicine) or urology department and have the necessary checks done.
Is Urinary Tract Infection Contagious?
Although urinary tract infection is not a directly contagious infectious disease, sexual intercourse before the infection has passed may increase the risk of infection and progression. Urinary tract infection symptoms can be controlled in 3-5 days with early diagnosis and treatment. Untreated infection, on the other hand, can cause serious complications such as kidney infection. For this reason, it is important to consult a specialist doctor in cases where urinary tract infection is suspected, and to benefit from online health services in cases where face-to-face meeting is not possible.
