Urinary tract infections are a common cause for individuals to see their physician. It can cause much discomfort to the individual, restrict activity and also cause absence from work. Left untreated urinary tract infections can lead to serious kidney complications.

Dr. Brett Hodge

What is the urinary tract?
The urinary tract system comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder and the urethra. All these play a role in removing waste from the body. While all these components can become infected, most infections involve the lower tract: the urethra and the bladder.

What causes urinary tract infections?
Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. E coli is a common cause of urinary tract infection in Anguilla.

How do you know that you have a urinary tract infection?
Not everyone with a urinary tract infection (UTI) develops recognizable signs and symptoms, but most individuals have some. These may include the following:
• A burning sensation when you urinate
• A strong, persistent urge to urinate
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• Urine smells bad
• Cloudy, dark or bloody urine (haematuria)
You may have other signs and symptoms depending on the site of infection. For instance if the infection spreads to the kidneys you may have flank pain, high fever and chills.

Who gets urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections can occur at any age and in both sexes. Women tend to have more urinary tract infections than men. One in five women will likely develop a UTI during her lifetime, and many will have more than one infection. Women tend to have more UTIs than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. The urethra is shorter in women than in men, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.

What are the risk factors for developing a UTI?
Some individuals appear to be more likely than others to develop UTIs. The anatomy of women makes them more at risk for developing a UTI. Women who are sexually active tend to have more UTIs. Sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra, allowing bacteria to travel more easily through the urethra into the bladder.
After menopause urinary tract infections may become more common because tissues of the vagina, urethra and the base of the bladder become thinner and more fragile due to loss of oestrogen.
Other risk factors include:
• Diabetes and other chronic illnesses that impair the immune system
• Medications that lower your immune system
• Anything that impedes the flow of urine
• Prolonged use of catheters (tubes) in the bladder

How are urinary tract infections treated?
Prior to treatment your doctor may test a sample of urine to find out if there are bacteria in it. If your symptoms are typical and you are in good health, antibiotics are the first line of treatment for most urinary tract infections. Your symptoms should improve in a few days but you need to continue taking the antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
For severe urinary tract infections hospitalisaton and treatment with intravenous antibiotics may be necessary. When recurrences come about your doctor may refer you to a specialist for continued care.

How can you prevent urinary tract infections?
Drink plenty of water to flush out bacteria
Urinate frequently - avoid holding your urine for a long time after you feel the urge to void.
For women, wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and the urethra.
Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area, can irritate the urethra.

Conclusion
Urinary tact infections are very common, especially in women. Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and are successfully treated with antibiotics. Untreated urinary infections can lead to serious complications like permanent damage to the kidneys. If you have signs and symptoms suggestive of a urinary tract infection seek medical attention to avoid serious complications.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.

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