Having a urinary tract infection can be a very serious health concern and affects millions of people every year. This type of infection is the second most common infection that you can have in your body. It is more common among women than men and the reasons for this are still unknown. Even though there is a disparity between the occurrences of the condition, it is just as dangerous for a man as it is for a woman. It is important to begin your UTI treatment as soon as possible to avoid complications that can occur with the infection.
A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria that is from the digestive tract and sticks to the urethra. The bacteria begin to multiply and an infection occurs. E. coli is the cause of most urinary tract infections. This bacterium is normally found in the colon, but when it is outside of the digestive system and collects on the urethra an infection will develop.
Urine typically washes bacteria away and fights off the chance of infection. When there is an abnormality in the urinary tract that will prevent the flow of urine or even slow the flow, an infection can occur. Those with diabetes are also at risk for developing a urinary tract infection because of a weakened immune system.
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection sometimes go unnoticed, but most people will develop some of the symptoms which indicate that a UTI treatment should be started immediately. The frequent urge to urinate and painful burning urination are some of the most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Many people feel a general sense of fatigue and shakiness when they have a urinary tract infection. There can also be pain when not urinating in the bladder or urethra area. Many people describe a full feeling or pressure that indicates a need to urinate even though only a small amount of urine is passed.
Before a UTI treatment can be prescribed, the doctor will test the urine for the presence of bacteria and pus. The urine sample must be a clean catch sample which means that the genital area must be cleaned first and the urine sample taken from a midstream sample. This will prevent bacteria from the genital area from tainting the sample.
Your urinary tract infection will be treated with an antibacterial drug. The drug that the doctor chooses for your treatment will depend on the type of bacteria that is found during testing and your history with medications. Typically the most common drugs that are used are trimethoprim, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin, or ampicillin. Recently other drugs have been used in a UTI treatment such as ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin and trovafloxin.
The symptoms will usually begin to be relieved after a few days of your UTI treatment. The medication will be prescribed for a week or two to make sure that the infection is eliminated. Severely ill patients may have to be hospitalized while they are being treated for a urinary tract infection until they are able to take the medication and fluids without help. The pain of the UTI can be relieved with a heating pad and doctors can prescribe a pain reliever until the UTI treatment is working.
Women who have recurrent urinary tract infections can ask their doctor for a UTI treatment option that will prevent the infections from occurring. Taking an antibiotic every day for six months or more, taking an antibiotic after sexual intercourse or beginning to take a short treatment course as soon as symptoms appear are some of the UTI treatment options for people who suffer from frequent urinary tract infection.
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