Factors in the development of urinary tract infection: diagnosis and treatment. Urinary tract infection in men: main symptoms and treatment methods Treatment of the genitourinary tract
UTIs are more common in women than in men. Half of all women will experience a UTI at least once in their lifetime, and 1 in 2,000 healthy men will develop this painful condition once a year.
What is the urinary tract
The urinary system is the system responsible for the formation of urine and its removal from the body. It includes the following bodies:
- Kidneys– two bean-shaped organs, about the size of your fists, that produce urine from blood waste.
- Ureters- connective tissue tubes extending from the kidneys into the bladder.
- Bladder- an unpaired hollow organ that serves to store urine.
- Urethra- a tube extending from bladder, through which urine leaves the body.
Reasons
Most infections urinary tract(UTIs) are caused by bacteria that live in the digestive system.
If these bacteria enter the urethra, they can cause an infection.
It is believed that the bacteria can spread to the urethra through the anus. For example, if toilet paper touches your anus and then touches your genitals, bacteria can multiply and move through the urinary tract, causing infections:
- Urethra (urethritis)
- Bladder (cystitis)
- Ureters (urethritis)
- Kidney (pyelonephritis)
Risk group
If you have kidney stones, you are at riskWomen are more likely to suffer from UTIs than men. This is due to the fact that in women, the urethra is located closer to the anus than in men. In addition, a woman's urethra is much shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to access the bladder.
You may also be more likely to develop urinary tract infections if you have:
- Diseases in which there is an obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract, such as urolithiasis or hydronephrosis.
- A disease that prevents complete emptying of the bladder (with stagnation of urine, it is easier for bacteria to multiply).
- A weakened immune system, such as during chemotherapy.
- If for some reason you have had a catheter inserted into your urethra - a tube inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
Other risk factors in women
Urinary tract infections in women can also occur if:
- They are sexually active - during intercourse, the urethra can become irritated, which allows bacteria to enter the bladder through it much more easily.
- They use a vaginal diaphragm for contraception - the diaphragm can put pressure on the bladder and prevent it from emptying normally.
- Use condoms coated with spermicide—spermicides can irritate the vagina, making it more vulnerable to infection.
Other risk factors in men
Urinary tract infections in men can also occur if their prostate is enlarged - this can put pressure on the bladder and urethra and prevent it from emptying normally.
Asymptomatic bacteriuria
Having bacteria in your urine does not necessarily mean you will develop a urinary tract infection (UTI).
In some people, bacteria present in the urine does not cause any negative consequences. This asymptomatic infectious disease is known as asymptomatic bacteriuria. It is more common in women than in men.
Symptoms
Back pain is one of the symptoms of a UTI
Symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection (kidneys and ureters) are different from those of a lower urinary tract infection (bladder and urethra).
However, in some cases, you may notice symptoms in both sections as the infection can spread from one section to the other.
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection can be similar to those of many other diseases and do not necessarily mean you have an infection.
Lower urinary tract symptoms include:
- Urethral syndrome - frequent urge to urinate, constant, dull pain in the pubic area and pain when urinating (dysuria).
- Cloudy urine or blood in the urine (hematuria).
- Extremely unpleasant odor of urine.
- General malaise.
Upper urinary tract symptoms include:
- High temperature (fever) 38°C or higher
- Uncontrollable shaking
- Nausea (feeling unwell)
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
With an upper urinary tract infection, you may also experience pain in your side, back, or groin. The pain can range from moderate to severe in severity and is often worsened by urination.
When to see a doctor
There is an increased risk of complications from an upper UTI, so if you notice any symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Although most symptoms of a lower UTI are mild and improve within a few days, see your doctor if your symptoms are too painful or very uncomfortable, or if they last more than five days.
Increased risk of complications
Pregnant women have an increased risk of UTI complications
There are some risk factors that increase your chance of developing more serious UTIs. These include:
- Kidney diseases
- Weakened immune system due to chemotherapy
- A blockage in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones or a catheter (a thin tube inserted into the urethra medical worker to empty the bladder)
- Pregnancy
- People over 65 years of age
Contact your doctor if you notice symptoms of a UTI and any of the above conditions apply to you.
UTI and dementia
If an older person with dementia or Alzheimer's disease develops a UTI, it can cause a noticeable change in their behavior within a few days, known as delirium.
Signs of delirium are:
- Excitement or restlessness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Unusual drowsiness
- Withdrawal
Because a person with dementia may not be able to discuss the problem, family members or caregivers should be aware of these signs of UTI. If you notice these signs, contact medical care so that the patient can be examined and treated as quickly as possible.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is done through a urine test, which can detect bacteria and blood in the urine.
However, if you are a woman and have typical symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection, your doctor will probably be able to make a diagnosis simply by asking about your symptoms.
When additional tests are needed
If you have a UTI, you may be referred for a kidney ultrasound.
Usually, additional tests and examinations of the body are not needed, but if your symptoms do not improve with treatment, or if the UTI may be caused by abnormalities in the urinary tract, further examination of the body is recommended. You may be advised to undergo further examination if:
- There are suspicions of upper UTI - this is due to the fact that the risk of complications is higher than with lower UTI.
- There is blood in the urine - this may be a symptom of other diseases.
- You are a man – UTIs are rare in men, so it is important to rule out others possible reasons symptoms.
- You are pregnant – Pregnant women have an increased risk of complications.
- Your immune system is weakened - the risk of complications is increased.
First, you will need to submit a urine sample, which will be checked for bacteria. He will confirm the diagnosis and show which antibiotics are best for your treatment.
Other examination methods
Also, other examination methods may be necessary:
- CT scan of the urinary tract (urogram)
- Cystoscopy
- Ultrasound examination
CT urography
Kidney infection
A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) can develop when bacteria spread from the bladder to the kidneys. A kidney infection usually doesn't pose a serious threat to your health if treated promptly, but it can make you feel very sick. If a kidney infection is not treated, it can cause significant deterioration, including permanent kidney damage.
Often, symptoms appear very quickly, often within a few hours. You may feel symptoms of fever, shaking, malaise, and pain in your back or side.
Kidney failure
Kidney failure is a condition in which the kidneys stop working properly. If a person renal failure, he may be indicated for dialysis.
Blood poisoning
Blood poisoning (sepsis) is a rare but life-threatening complication of a kidney infection. This occurs when bacteria spread from the kidneys into the bloodstream.
Once the bacteria enters the bloodstream, the infection can spread to any part of your body, including vital organs.
In case of blood poisoning, you cannot hesitate - you must urgently seek emergency medical help, and as a rule, such a patient is hospitalized in an intensive care hospital, where antibiotics are used to fight the infection.
Prevention
Not all urinary tract infections (UTIs) are preventable, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing an infection.
Cranberry juice and cranberry capsules
Cranberry juice is an excellent UTI preventative
Drinking cranberry juice may help prevent urinary tract infections. If you have had recurrent urinary tract infections, taking cranberry concentrate capsules is recommended. They are available at most pharmacies and health stores.
Do not drink cranberry juice or take cranberry capsules if you are taking warfarin (a drug used to prevent blood clots).
Treat constipation immediately
Constipation may increase your risk of getting a UTI. Recommended treatments for constipation include:
- Increase the amount of fiber-rich foods in your diet (20 g to 30 g fiber per day)
- Use a mild laxative (short term)
- Drink plenty of fluids
Diaphragms and condoms
Women using a diaphragm for contraception may increase their risk of UTIs. This is because the diaphragm can put pressure on the bladder and prevent it from emptying completely when you urinate.
If you use a diaphragm and urinary tract infections occur occasionally, you may need to consider changing your contraceptive method. There are 15 different methods of contraception - there is quite a large choice.
If urinary tract infections are bothering you because you use condoms, try using condoms without spermicidal lubricant on them. Spermicidal lubricants can cause irritation, which increases the risk of a UTI.
The following tips will help you keep bacteria out of your bladder and urethra and prevent them from multiplying:
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract
- Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need and do not let urine linger in your bladder
- Wash your genitals every day and before sexual intercourse
- Empty your bladder after sex
Urinary tract diseases include diseases of organs such as the ureters, bladder, urethra, and the renal collecting system. The peculiarity of these diseases is that the urinary organs in their function are closely related to reproductive system person.
Among the causes of urinary tract diseases, the most common infection is infection caused by the proliferation of bacterial microflora due to violations immune status patient, decreased body resistance due to stress or hypothermia. Frequent unprotected casual sexual contact also plays a huge role.
Knowledge of risk factors makes it possible to adequately prevent these diseases. It is also important to know the characteristics of the course of genitourinary diseases in men, women, and children. There are a large number of pathologies that affect the above organs. Let's look separately at the diseases of each part of the excretory system, how they manifest themselves and what features they have.
Pyelitis
Pyelitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the mucous membrane of the renal pelvis. Very often, inflammation is not limited only to the mucous membrane and spreads to the kidney parenchyma, resulting in the development of a disease such as pyelonephritis. However, on early stages It is more correct to speak of the disease as isolated pyelitis.
Reasons
Pyelitis usually occurs due to infectious processes that develop as a result of the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the kidney cavity through the blood, lymph or urinary tract. Such routes of spread are called hematogenous, lymphogenous and urogenic.
Among the pathogens, the most common is Escherichia coli, which usually penetrates the pelvis through the lymphogenous route.
Other common pathogens include staphylococci, streptococci and other bacteria. Therefore, pyelitis usually occurs as a consequence of infectious diseases such as intestinal pathologies, tonsillitis, scarlet fever, and typhoid fever.
Urolithiasis plays an important role in creating conditions for infection. When stones are in the renal pelvis, they can injure the epithelium of the mucous membrane, which creates conditions for the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the wall of the organ. Gradually, the infectious process spreads to functionally active kidney tissue or to the ureters and bladder - a descending route of infection.
The ascending route of spread is that the infection passes from the urethra to the bladder, then through the ureters the bacteria enter the cavity of the pyelocaliceal system and the kidney parenchyma. If inflammation of the pelvis began due to the penetration of pathogenic microflora from the bottom up, such pyelitis is called ascending. It may be caused by injury, pregnancy or hypothermia.
Symptoms
There are acute and chronic variants of pyelitis. In acute cases, there is an increase in temperature up to 40 degrees with short periods of temperature normalization. Fever is a consequence of general intoxication of the body; it is accompanied by a decrease in overall performance and headache.
Another symptom of inflammation of the renal pelvis is pain in the lumbar region radiating to the groin and genitals. When tapping the lower back, the pain intensifies and blood appears in the urine. Urination may be painful, and the patient experiences frequent urge to empty the bladder.
Call inflammatory diseases urinary system may pregnancy
The duration of the disease depends on what caused its development. For example, pyelitis associated with infectious diseases can last up to several weeks before completely disappearing (if proper treatment has been carried out). Pregnancy-associated pyelitis disappears only after delivery. If the necessary therapeutic measures have not been taken, there is a risk that the disease will become chronic with damage to the kidney parenchyma (pyelonephritis).
If pyelitis occurs against the background urolithiasis, then it is already considered chronic in the early stages.
Diagnostics
Conduct general analysis urine, in which pyuria is determined - an increased content of leukocytes. The urine may become cloudy due to the presence of pus in it. An important feature is that when urine stands, sediment does not form.
You can also conduct a microscopic examination of urine, the purpose of which is also to determine the white blood cells in this biological fluid. In some cases, when the amount of pus in the mine is large, protein may be detected.
Treatment
The effectiveness of treatment is determined primarily by eliminating the cause of the disease. If inflammation of the pelvis occurs as a result infectious process, it is necessary to carry out antibiotic therapy to combat the pathogen. If pyelitis has become a complication of urolithiasis, then it is necessary to remove the stones from the urinary tract.
The patient is required to remain in bed, and it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids is necessary to increase the load on the kidneys and enhance the excretion of bacterial waste products, as well as the dead microorganisms themselves.
Antibiotic therapy usually involves the use of sulfonamides (recommended drugs are Sulfacyl, Urosulfan). If there is a tendency to generalize the infection, other antibiotics are prescribed, including combination drugs.
Furagin, Furadonin, Urotropin are also used - these drugs have shown their effectiveness in treating infectious diseases urinary tract. In the operating room, it is possible to wash the pelvis with disinfectants.
Prevention
Most effective means prevention of inflammatory diseases of the pyelocaliceal system is the prevention and early treatment of infectious diseases. This is especially true intestinal infections, as well as sore throats. It is also important to promptly decide on the removal of stones.
The urinary tract is affected by this disease due to metabolic disorders. Factors predisposing to the appearance of stones are:
- calcium metabolism disorder;
- disturbance of phosphorus metabolism;
- stagnation of urine;
- excessive consumption of calcium salts, for example, in drinking water;
- inflammatory processes.
Pain - main feature urolithiasis
There are three types of stones depending on their composition. There are urate (uric acid), oxalate (oxalic acid) and phosphate (phosphoric acid). Conditions for the precipitation of these salts arise during the formation of inflammation products of the mucous membranes, for example, pyelitis.
Elements such as mucus, pus, blood clots, and epithelial cells that are located in the lumen of the urinary tract contribute to the formation of stones, as a result of which their blockage can occur.
Symptoms
At the beginning of the disease, when the stones are still too small (in the form of “sand”), there may be no symptoms. Sometimes sand may come out along with urine. The clinical picture develops when signs of irritation of the mucous membrane appear foreign bodies– the mucous membrane of the urethra is predominantly affected. Larger stones may long time do not disturb the patient, as they can remain in the pelvis for a long time without moving or causing irritation.
If the stones change their location for one reason or another, symptoms such as pain appear. If there is a blockage of the ureter, painful sensations can be significantly pronounced. This condition is called renal colic.
In its development, an important role is played by spastic contraction of the muscles of the urinary tract, stretched by accumulated urine or a passing stone. The pain appears unexpectedly, quickly increases in intensity, and can radiate to the groin area or urethra. Along with this, vegetative symptoms appear - nausea, vomiting, cold sweat, and the pulse weakens.
If the stone does not pass through the ureter, creating an obstruction to the outflow of urine, hydronephrosis and renal failure develop over time. A life-threatening condition may develop.
Stones in the collecting system are removed using lithotripsy
Diagnosis is based on general examination data and special research methods. Pasternatsky's symptom (pain and the appearance of blood after tapping the lower back) is positive. A urine test reveals hematuria, which may be noticeable to the naked eye - the color of the urine often becomes reddish.
Blood appears in the urine due to damage to the mucous membrane of the urinary tract by a passing stone. For diagnosis, it is important that blood appears in only one kidney or ureter. Therefore, it is possible to determine the side of the lesion by collecting urine from separate catheters inserted into the ureters.
However, this method is inappropriate to use - currently, X-ray methods are used to determine the lesion.
The clinical picture depends on the size of the stone, so small stones can cause only mild symptoms. Large stones that cannot pass out of the pelvis on their own lead to the development of a chronic version of the disease. In this case, the patient from time to time notices the appearance of signs of inflammation of the urinary tract, which disappear for a while after treatment.
Treatment
Small stones or kidney sand require the patient to follow a diet based on dairy and plant products, which do not have an irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the urinary tract. It is recommended to consume sufficient amounts of vitamins A and D.
Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended to improve urine passage and rinse the urinary tract. Highly efficient mineral waters.
Renal colic requires more radical measures. The patient should be completely at rest, a heating pad should be applied to the lumbar region, and warm baths should be prescribed to reduce muscle spasms. Subcutaneous administration of morphine, promedol or omnopon, as well as atropine is indicated. If there is coldness in the extremities, then heating pads are applied to them. If there are cardiac dysfunctions, they are corrected.
Blockage of the ureter with a stone
Removal of large stones must be surgical, especially in cases where they cause attacks of renal colic or cause inflammation in the urinary tract. Pyelitis and pyelonephritis associated with urolithiasis are treated using the above methods.
Prevention of stone formation consists of a complete balanced diet, as well as timely treatment of inflammatory pathologies of the kidneys and urinary tract.
Pathologies of the ureters
In diseases of these organs, the most common and characteristic symptom is pain in the lower back in the area of the projection of the ureters. This may be a manifestation of urolithiasis, tuberculosis, empyema (suppuration) of the ureteral stump. Only a qualified doctor, after carrying out certain diagnostic procedures, will be able to determine the exact cause of pain.
Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder occurs as a result of exposure to microorganisms that enter this organ either from the kidneys or through the urethra. The ascending route of infection is more common.
The triggering factor for the development of the disease is usually hypothermia and a cold. In addition, cystitis can be caused by damage to the mucous membrane from urinary stones or irritating chemicals.
Some cases of the disease are associated with non-compliance with the technique of inserting urinary catheters when non-sterile instruments are used. Women are more often affected, due to the structure of the urinary tract.
Manifestations
Acute cystitis is manifested by increased body temperature and general malaise. The patient complains of pain in the lower abdomen, in the bladder area, radiating to the genitals and urethra. Symptoms such as a frequent urge to urinate are often observed; the process of expelling urine itself is usually not accompanied by pain.
Cystitis usually manifests as pain in the lower abdomen
The total amount of urine excreted once is reduced, it contains pus, which is why it becomes cloudy. Sometimes it may have a red tint due to the presence of blood. Flakes and mucus may be present in the urine - a sign of damage to the cystic epithelium. After some time, the urine acquires a pungent odor of ammonia and its reaction becomes alkaline.
With chronic cystitis, the clinical picture is much less pronounced; there may be no sharp painful sensations lower abdomen. There is often no fever, and the urge to urinate may not bother the patient. The presence of pus in the urine is determined by appearance, and according to the results of the analysis, its reaction is alkaline, the smell is pungent. The duration of acute cystitis with timely treatment does not exceed several weeks; chronic cystitis can persist for several years, alternating phases of relapse and remission.
Treatment
Bed rest. It is recommended to drink plenty of fluids, mostly milk or alkaline mineral waters. Patients are prescribed a dairy-vegetable diet, and the consumption of all foods that irritate the mucous membrane is prohibited. You should take warm baths and place a heating pad on your lower abdomen.
Antimicrobial therapy consists of the use of sulfonamides and other drugs indicated for pyelitis. For chronic cystitis, rinsing the bladder cavity with disinfectant solutions is indicated. The remaining principles of treatment and prevention do not differ from those for pyelitis.
Number of sources used in this article: . You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are not the most pleasant of diseases and cause extreme discomfort, so it is not surprising that UTI sufferers want to get rid of the infection as quickly as possible. Fast treatment also important for preventing further development A UTI that may develop into more serious illnesses. Sometimes UTIs go away on their own within four to five days. There are also several home treatments for UTIs, but for the fastest and most effective treatment We strongly recommend that you seek help from a urologist.
Attention: The information in this article is for informational purposes only. Before using any methods, consult a urologist.
Steps
Medical Treatment for UTIs
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Drink plenty of water. Antibiotics are the only thing that will truly cure a UTI, but given that UTIs often go away on their own after a few days, there are things you can do to ease symptoms and prevent reinfection. The simplest one is to drink plenty of water throughout the day, about a glass of water per hour.
Drink cranberry juice. Drinking cranberry juice is often listed as a home remedy for UTIs. Although there is not enough evidence that cranberry juice actually fights infection, it can prevent it. If UTIs recur, take supplements with high content cranberries Just like with water, drinking plenty of fluids helps cleanse your system.
Take vitamin C. Consuming vitamin C when UTI symptoms first appear will help stop the infection in its early stages. Vitamin C restores the acid balance of urine, fighting harmful bacteria in the bladder, and also helps strengthen immune system.
Avoid consuming irritants. Some of the foods we eat can be irritants, the effects of which are magnified if you have a UTI. The most harmful are caffeine and alcohol. Not only do they irritate the bladder, but they also lead to dehydration, which makes it harder to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.
- Get rest and drink plenty of water.
- Do not have sex while being treated for a UTI. You may introduce new bacteria and reduce your chances of a full recovery.
- Take ibuprofen along with other medications for pain relief.
- Drink plenty of water and take medications prescribed by your doctor.
- Do not use lotions or massage oils as lubricants unless they are specifically designed for that purpose. The chemical ingredients in these products can cause UTIs.
- Use a heating pad to reduce discomfort. Although a heating pad will not cure a UTI, it can relieve the symptoms of the infection. The heating pad should be warm, but not hot, and should be applied to the lower abdomen to relieve pain, pressure, and other discomfort associated with a UTI.
- Cranberry juice and pills will temporarily relieve the pain, but your condition may worsen afterward. Add a teaspoon to a glass of water (240 ml) baking soda and drink; After an hour, drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon. Alternate drinks every hour until your bladder pain subsides.
- If you do not notice a significant improvement in your symptoms within 24 to 36 hours of starting to use home remedies to treat a UTI, seek medical attention immediately.
- Even if home remedies help relieve most of the symptoms of the infection, we still recommend that you take a urine test to check your body for any remaining bacteria.
- Even the mildest cases of UTI can develop into fatal kidney infections if left untreated.
- Be careful with cranberry juice - it is very acidic, and acidic foods and drinks can irritate an already sore bladder.
- It is better to drink cranberry juice for prevention. With a urinary tract infection in the acute stage, it can only worsen the situation.
- cranberry juice
- Vitamin C
- Supplements of goldenseal, acidophilus, bearberry, echinacea, or nettle
- Cotton underwear
- Loose pants and shorts
- Antibiotics
Recognize the symptoms. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a fairly common and unpleasant disease that causes extreme discomfort. UTIs include an upper urinary tract infection (kidneys and ureters), a lower urinary tract infection (bladder and urethra), or both.
Know the differences between the symptoms of an upper and lower urinary tract infection. Different infections present different symptoms. Analyze your symptoms so that you can clearly describe them when you go to see your urologist. Symptoms of lower urinary tract infections include needing to urinate much more frequently, cloudy or bloody urine, back pain, very foul-smelling urine, and feeling unwell.
Know when to seek medical help. 25-40% of mild cases of UTI go away on their own, but this is not a reason to avoid going to the doctor. You may be at risk if you do not seek medical help promptly. Many people have complications with UTIs - remember this. If you develop a UTI, fever, or other symptoms worsen, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away.
Take a course of antibiotics. Since UTI is bacterial infection, the course of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor is the fastest and most in an efficient way treatment of urinary tract infections. Antibiotics are especially recommended for women who suffer from frequent UTIs. Long courses of antibiotics will help prevent the infection from recurring.
Complete your course of antibiotics. Take a one to seven day course of antibiotics as directed by your doctor. Most women receive a prescription for a 3-5 day course. Men may need a course of antibiotics for 7–14 days. Although the symptoms of a UTI usually go away after three days of starting antibiotics, the urethral infection itself usually doesn't go away until the fifth day. For men it may take longer.
Be aware of possible complications. Severe UTIs can cause serious complications that can lead to kidney failure or toxemia (blood poisoning). They are quite rare and usually affect people with existing health problems, such as diabetics. If you have a weakened immune system, you are more susceptible to complications and infections.
Home Remedies
Warnings
What you will need
Article information
This article was co-authored by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board-certified OB/GYN in Tennessee. She completed her residency at West Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she received the Most Outstanding Resident Award.
Urinary tract infections occur due to the action of various pathogenic microorganisms. Such diseases are common among adults and children and have their own signs and differences. Inflammation of the urinary tract occurs repeatedly in many people, even with proper treatment, therefore the problem requires special attention and prevention. If urinary tract diseases are left untreated, they will become chronic and lead to serious complications.
Most often, the inflammatory process worries people during the cold season, when the body's defenses weaken. More than half of the disease cases are acute cystitis. Women and children are predominantly affected, while cystitis and other similar diseases occur much less frequently in men.
The cause of the inflammatory process is E. coli, which causes the disease against the background of predisposing factors. If a person has reduced immunity, the outflow of urine is impaired, then the possibility of microbes entering the bladder is quite high. Symptoms of cystitis occur up to 5 times more often in women than in men due to anatomical features. Through the short urethra pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate the bladder and cause the first signs of the disease.
The risk group includes children under 3 years of age. While the child’s immune system has not yet formed, his body is susceptible to attacks by various bacteria.
Due to the inflammatory process, boys experience high temperature. Elderly people, patients after surgery, as well as people with chronic inflammatory processes are often exposed to urinary tract diseases. Women who use the diaphragm ring and spermicides as contraception also have a high risk of disease.
The inflammatory process can develop in three directions:
- urethritis that occurs after inflammation of the urethra;
- cystitis, during which the bladder becomes inflamed;
- pyelonephritis or inflammatory process in the kidneys.
There are two types of spread of the infectious process, when the infection is descending and ascending. Microorganisms immediately attack the organs of the genitourinary system located below, and then rise higher. Treatment for an adult or child depends on the type of infection and the obvious symptoms of the disease. Drugs are prescribed according to age and type of infection.
Main symptoms
The main signs of urinary tract inflammation are the following symptoms:
- the appearance of pain in the abdomen and back;
- uncharacteristic color of urine;
- frequent painful urination;
- the appearance of blood in the urine;
- unpleasant odor of urine;
- possible increase in temperature.
If men and women have infections in their bodies that are transmitted during sexual intercourse, they experience symptoms in the form of sharp pain during urination, caused by chlamydia and other microorganisms. Women often suffer from adnexitis simultaneously with inflammation of the genitourinary system, which subsequently leads to complications during pregnancy and childbirth. diseases will disappear only with properly selected treatment.
When making a diagnosis in women and men, the following points are taken into account:
- hereditary factor;
- repeated cases of infection;
- the appearance of thirst;
- total volume of urine excreted;
- urinary incontinence.
Although in women, as well as in children, the inflammatory process develops faster, men also often develop symptoms of cystitis or pyelonephritis due to hypothermia, respiratory diseases and other factors. Timely treatment, which contains antibiotics, nitrofurans, herbal infusions, will help eliminate infection of the genitourinary system in adults and children.
Treatment tactics
To eliminate the inflammatory process of the urinary tract, timely and competent treatment is necessary, antibacterial drugs, as well as drinking regime and nutrition correction. Treatment, in which antibiotics play an important role, is carried out in a hospital setting in severe cases of pathologies of the genitourinary system. If the infection has not caused serious harm to the body, the patient is sent home with the necessary medications prescribed.
The inflammatory process of the urinary tract involves the exclusion of spicy, smoked and salty foods. Treatment is impossible without drinking plenty of fluids, which cleanses the bladder. Plain water, along with other methods, is a real assistant in the fight against diseases of the genitourinary system in men and women. Cranberry juice is also beneficial.
When taking antibiotics and other drugs, it is recommended to additionally brew various herbs. The herbs of immortelle, knotweed and corn silk have an anti-inflammatory effect. Herbal decoctions should be used with caution in children. Adults should avoid bad habits, including alcoholic beverages and cigarettes.
Use of antibiotics
In most cases, due to untimely identification of the disease in children and adults, there is a need to prescribe antibacterial agents. Preferably antibiotics are prescribed penicillin series. Penicillin is used to treat pyelonephritis during pregnancy. IN adolescence macrolides are used, and in adults, in addition to penicillins, cephalosporin antibiotics are prescribed. Cephalosporins make it possible to treat a person for two weeks, which promotes effectiveness and rapid recovery.
For various complications, gentamicin is used, but only in men and women under 60 years of age, since treatment with the drug causes deafness in older people. For children, drugs of the aminoglycoside group are prohibited. Antibiotics are prescribed by injection for severe forms of inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. Drugs of the nitrofuran series are considered more gentle on the body and are used in children of all ages.
Features of the process in childhood
The diagnosis of cystitis in a child is made only after 10 years of age due to anatomical structure genitourinary system, in other cases the doctor, based on the symptoms, makes a diagnosis of “urinary tract infection”. Since the disease is not detected immediately, the infection penetrates from the urinary tract to the kidneys, and children develop chronic pathology and then kidney failure. The problem is that the symptoms of the disease in a child are similar to other ailments.
In most cases, children experience low fever, nausea, abdominal pain, and abnormal bowel movements. Children are also prescribed antibiotics, nitrofuran drugs, plenty of fluids, diet and other methods to eliminate the infection. Medicines provide positive action, only if complex treatment of the disease is carried out.
The incidence of diseases depends entirely on the age and gender of children. For girls, the risk of infection entering the genitourinary system is slightly higher than for boys. A high incidence is observed in newborns up to one year old, when intimate hygiene of children is not observed. Antibacterial drugs are used for treatment. The best way disease prevention in children is a daily proper hygiene genital organs, the use of diapers and breastfeeding a child to protect the immune system of infants.
Successful treatment of urinary tract inflammation depends on age, gender and approach to the problem. Only complex method, the right medicine and diet can defeat the regular attacks of microorganisms. Antibiotics and other drugs may not be needed if you follow basic infection prevention rules.
Urinary tract infections in women are associated with a short urethra, which is near the anus. Men have a completely different body structure and are less prone to genitourinary infections. Often many diseases do not even manifest themselves, but men act as carriers of infection. And chaotic and unprotected intimate relationships become the first cause of diseases of the urinary system.
Urogenital infections in women
Infections of the genitourinary system in women are pathological effects caused by specific harmful microorganisms. Urinary tract diseases are characterized by inflammation, which is easily cured by initial stage or if the signs are ignored, it becomes chronic. Which doctor treats diseases? The answer depends only on the area of the genitourinary system and its stage. This could be a therapist, urologist, gynecologist, infectious disease specialist, or even a surgeon.
Possible infectious diseases
The most common diseases of the genitourinary system:
What caused it?
- Genital herpes. A viral genitourinary infection acquired during sexual intercourse through small wounds or cracks. Once they enter the body, they remain for life as hidden infections, and manifest themselves under favorable conditions.
- Chlamydia. This infection spreads only during sexual intercourse from an infected person.
- Urethritis. It can even occur due to organ trauma.
- Vaginitis. Caused by an infection that is transmitted through sexual intercourse or existing fungal diseases.
- Gonorrhea. An infection in the genitourinary system can be detected after sexual intercourse without using a contraceptive. It is easy to cure the disease if it is detected in time, otherwise the consequences are very serious.
Causative agents of inflammation
Microbes and bacteria provoke inflammatory processes. Urinary tract infections in women often appear after unprotected and promiscuous sexual relations. Urinary tract infections can be caused by the following microorganisms: gonococcus, ureaplasma, treponema pallidum, mycoplasma, trichomonas, chlamydia, fungi and viruses. All harmful microbes cause inflammation. As a message, the body sends signals of illness as symptoms.
Types of infections
Diseases of the urinary system are caused by many infections. Depending on the location, infections are divided into:
- Upper genitourinary tract infections (pyelonephritis).
- Infections of the lower genitourinary organs (cystitis and urethritis).
Infections are also distinguished by origin:
- Uncomplicated. There is no outflow of urine functional disorders are not observed.
- Complicated. Functional activity is impaired, anomalies are observed.
- Hospital. The infection develops during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the patient.
- Out-of-hospital. Organ infections are not associated with medical intervention.
Regarding the symptoms of infectious diseases, pathologies are divided into the following types:
- clinical;
- asymptomatic;
- hidden genitourinary infections.
Transmission of infection and causes
Infections are often transmitted sexually. Based on the above, kidney and urinary tract infections are acquired under the following conditions:
- Unprotected intimate relationships (the most common infections).
- Ascending infection, as a result of neglect of hygiene.
- Through lymphatic and blood vessels when inflammatory diseases begin to progress (for example, dental caries, influenza, pneumonia, intestinal diseases).
The cause of diseases of the genitourinary system and kidneys is:
- metabolic disorders;
- hypothermia of the body;
- stressful situations;
- promiscuous intimate relationships.
Characteristic symptoms
Often, genitourinary tract infections are accompanied by painful urination. Diseases of the genitourinary tract are characterized by certain symptoms. At inflammatory processes diagnostics required. All diseases progress differently, but the main manifestations are:
- pain;
- discomfort and anxiety that disturb the genitourinary tract;
- itching, burning and tingling;
- discharge;
- problematic urination;
- rashes on the genitals;
- neoplasms (papillomas and condylomas).
Diagnostic procedures and tests
It is easy to prevent diseases of the kidneys and urinary organs in humans; you need to take a general blood and urine test at least once a year. Harmful bacteria will initially be visible in the urine. Diagnostics will help to identify or prevent infection and disease in advance. If there is a deterioration in health, a specialist should immediately examine the person. Ultrasound and X-ray examination of the kidneys and bladder will also help to identify structural changes. This can be ultrasound, urography, cystography, nephroscintigraphy, cystoscopy and tomography.
Applicable treatment for urinary tract infections
The use of antibiotics is a prerequisite for drug therapy. Treatment of the genitourinary system consists of mandatory use of antibiotics. A specialist always determines an individual approach, so you need to strictly adhere to the recommendations in order to avoid possible side effects. For treatment, a complex technique can be used, for example, medications and herbs. It is necessary to follow a diet that excludes the consumption of irritating elements. During treatment, it is important to maintain a drinking regime.
Antibacterial drugs
Antibiotics will help relieve inflammation. The following antibiotics are used for treatment: Ceftriaxone, Norfloxacin, Augmentin, Amoxiclav, Monural, Canephron. Drugs are selected according to the principles:
- The medicine must be directly excreted through the kidneys.
- The drug must actively influence pathogens of uropathogenic flora.
- Therapy should be selected in such a way as to have the maximum effective result with minimal consequences.