URINARY PROBLEMS

WHAT ARE URINARY PROBLEMS?

The urinary tract stores and removes urine from the body. The people commonly get an infection in this part of the body. Fungi, bacteria, and virus usually cause urinary tract infection (UTI), they enter the urinary tract. Most of the people have some urinary problem in their lifetime. The common types of urine problems are urinary tract infection, urinary incontinence, kidney stones, stress incontinence. Urinary infection involves the lower urinary tract, bladder, and urethra.
Urine infections in women are more common than men. Disease limited to your bladder; however, its consequences can be critical if Urinary tract infection (UTI) reaches your kidney. Doctors usually treat the UTI with antibiotics. Still, you can take the preventive steps to reduce the chances of getting the infection.

Causes of urinary problems

The urinary problems usually occur when the bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply in the bladder. Our urinary system is designed to keep out such bacterial activities; this defence system fails sometimes. When it happens, the bacteria cause a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.

• • Body factors: Women who had menopause, had a change in the lining of the vagina loses the protection that estrogen provides and it provides, and it lowers the chance of getting aninfection. Some of the women are genetically predisposed to diseases, which makes it easier for the bacteria to grow. Sexual intercourse also affects the tendency of urinary infections.
  • Birth control: Women who use condoms with the spermicidal foam while having sexual intercourse, are at a higher risk of getting Urinary tract infection (UTI) in women.
  • Abnormal Anatomy: If the urinary tract is abnormal, then you are more likely to get Urinary tract infection (UTI). Even if you are not able to urinate appropriately, then you will have more chances of getting UTI.
  • Weak immune system: When your immune system is nervous then also you will have more chances of getting UTI, e.g. diabetic people are at higher risk of UTI because the immune system is unable to defend against the germs. Risk factors associated with the urinary problems. Urinary problems (UTI) are more common in women, and most of the women experience it more than once in their lifetimes.
  • Female anatomy: Women have a shorter urethra than a man does, makes it easier for the bacteria to reach the travel.
  • Sexual activity: Women who are more sexually active have more chances of getting Urinary tract infection (UTI) than women who are not sexually active.
  • Certain types of birth control: Using a diaphragm for birth control increases the risk of Urinary tract infection (UTI) in women.
  • Urinary tract abnormalities: Babies born with urinary tract abnormalities that don’t have urine passing and storing in the urethra increase the risk of urinary problems.
  • Blockages: Kidney stones and enlarged prostates traps urine in the bladder and increases the risk of UTI.
  • Use of catheter: People who use a catheter to urinate tend to have an increased risk of Urinary tract infection (UTI).
  • Recent urinary procedure: Urinary surgery that involves medical instruments can increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Symptoms of urinary problems

Every kind of urinary tract infection (UTI) is related to its symptoms, and the parts are affected by the disease.

• • • Cystitis: When your bladder is affected by the UTI then you might feel the pelvic pressure, lower abdomen discomfort, contact like you need to urinate a lot and frequently and it might hurt you while urinating and cloudy and bloody urine.
    • Pyelonephritis: It is linked with your kidneys. You might experience pain in the upper back and side, high fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting.
    • Urethritis: This is linked with the urethra, and it causes burning sensation when you urinate and discharge.

Diagnosis of the urinary problems

• • • Lab tests (analyze a urine sample): A lab test of a urine sample is performed to check the red blood cells, white blood cells or bacteria presence. Sometimes, this test is followed by the urine culture test.
    • Imaging tests: If you are experiencing frequent urinary problems, then your doctor might suggest you for the imaging tests such as an ultrasound, a computerized tomography (CT scan) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check the abnormality in your urinary tract.
    • Cystoscopy: If you have repetitive urinary problems, then your doctor might perform this test using a thin tube to see inside your urethra and bladder.

Treatments of urinary problems

Antibiotics are considered as the most effective treatment for the urinary problem. The drug type and its consumption duration depend on your health and the type of bacteria detected in your urine.

• • • Simple infection: Drugs such as Trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, Fosfomycin, Nitrofurantoin, Cephalexin, Ceftriaxone are recommended for simple UTI.
    • Frequent infections: The doctor might suggest low-dose antibiotics, self-diagnostics, and treatments, vaginal estrogen therapy, consumption of medicines after sexual intercourse (if diseases are related to sexual activities.
    • Severe infection: If you have a severe infection, then you may require treatment with intravenous antibiotics in a hospital.
    • A therapy for elderly urinary incontinence includes behavioural therapies, medications, medical devices, and surgery.

Lifestyle and home remedies to prevent urinary problems