Urinary tract infections, also known as UTIs, describe infections that are able to colonize the urethra. In addition to being painful, these infections can affect other parts of the urinary tract, such as the kidneys, causing a serious condition known as pyelonephritis. Most urinary tract infections can be easily diagnosed by examining the urine and can be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms
Most symptoms of a urinary tract infection relate to urination. Patients with a urinary tract infection may feel a strong need to urinate for extended periods. Attempts to urinate, however, only result in a small amount of urine being passed, the Mayo Clinic says. You may also experience pain or a burning sensation when urinating. The urine may be cloudy, pink or have an unusually strong odor. Women may experience pelvic pain. Men with urinary tract infections may experience rectal pain.
Causes
Urinary tract infections are usually the result of colonization of the urethra with E. coli, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. E. coli is normally found in the colon but can occasionally gain access to the urethra, which allows it to infect the urinary tract. Other causes of urinary tract infections are chlamydia and mycoplasma, which can be transmitted sexually. As a result, infections with these bacteria require treatment of both sexual partners.
Risk Factors
A number of factors can predispose a person to developing a urinary tract infection. Women are more prone to UTIs because their urethra is shorter and closer to the rectum. Women who use diaphragms or spermicides for birth control also have an increased risk of having a urinary tract infection. Patients with abnormally formed urinary tracts or who have some sort of blockage are also more likely to develop these kinds of infections. UTIs are also more common in people with suppressed immune systems.
Diagnosis
Urinary tract infections are typically diagnosed using analysis of urine samples, the Merck Manual says. The urine sample is obtained by cleaning the area around the urethra with an antiseptic solution and then having the patient urinate into a sterile container. The urine can be examined under a microscope to look for bacteria, or the sample can be sent to a laboratory to attempt to culture the bacteria. Doctors may also look for the presence of certain chemicals, such as nitrates, which are commonly secreted by bacteria.
Treatment
Most cases of urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include amoxicillin, sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and cephalexin. These antibiotics are usually taken orally, though severe urinary tract infections can be treated with intravenous antibiotics. Some of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be relieved with phenazopyridine and dicyclomine. If you have frequent urinary tract infections due to blockages in the urinary tract, you may need surgery or other treatments to help remove the urinary obstruction.
