Urology Tract Infections:

The urinary system is the main waste disposal system in the body, consisting of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The urinary system eliminates liquid waste from the body, whether produced by the body or obtained from outside sources.
Urinary tract infections are among the most common infections worldwide, with many people experiencing them at least once in their lives. There are several factors that make the urinary tract susceptible to infection, such as its proximity to the anus and fecal matter. Infections with Escherichia coli (which naturally occurs in feces) are one of the most common urinary tract infections. Females are generally more prone to urinary tract infections about 4 times more than males due to the shorter urethra in females.

You may have a urinary tract infection if you notice the following symptoms:

1. Pain or burning during urination.
2. Frequent urination, needing to urinate more than usual (usually more than 5 times during the day and more than once at night).
3. Feeling of heaviness or pressure in the lower abdomen.
4. Red or dark urine with a foul odor.
5. Fever, feeling tired.
6. Pain in the lower back area below the ribs.

Who is at risk for urinary tract infections:

Urinary tract infections can affect people of all ages, but women are four times more likely to get a urinary tract infection than men. Those who need a urinary catheter may also be at increased risk, as well as diabetic patients and patients with spinal cord injuries. People with weakened immune systems or those who have had previous urinary surgeries are also at risk.

Factors that increase the chances of developing a urinary tract infection include:

1. Diabetes.
2. Older age.
3. Conditions that affect personal hygiene habits such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
4. Problems with completely emptying the bladder (such as urinary retention).
5. Enlarged prostate or narrowing of the urethra, or anything that obstructs urine flow.
6. Kidney stones.
7. Being bedridden without movement leading to urinary stasis (such as hip fractures).
8. Pregnancy.
9. Surgery or any other procedure involving the urinary tract.

Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections:

It is important that when you experience any symptoms, you consult a urologist to evaluate the condition and prevent complications that may lead to chronic infections within the urinary system. Your doctor will assess your general condition and medical history, along with a physical examination to identify any painful areas. The doctor may request confirmatory tests to prove the infection, with the most important being a urine analysis (you will collect a sterile and clean urine sample either at the medical laboratory or by using a sterile container from pharmacies at home). This analysis looks for bacteria and white blood cell counts (which increase during infections). Sometimes the doctor may request a urine culture to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection. The culture is not requested routinely but in certain cases or due to recurrent urinary tract infections that need several days to show results. Through the culture, the appropriate antibiotic can be precisely identified for treatment, reducing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, especially in individuals prone to frequent infections.

* In some cases, the doctor may request a simple imaging of the urinary system, especially in complex cases where infection is mixed with the presence of kidney stones or structural problems within the urinary system.
* Cystoscopy is a procedure that the doctor may request, involving the insertion of a cystoscope (a tube-like instrument) to examine for inflammation-related swelling and redness, as well as to visualize any blockages within the bladder and the integrity of the mucosa.
*The doctor may also perform a urodynamic test to assess the lower urinary tract's ability to store and hold urine.

Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections:

The infection can spread to the kidneys, leading to symptoms such as chills, night sweats, or shivering, fatigue, general feeling of illness, fever above 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38.8 degrees Celsius), pain in the flank area extending down to the abdomen, skin redness or warmth, mental changes and confusion in older adults, nausea and vomiting.
Kidney pain is typically located in the flank area of the back and extends to the front and lower abdomen.
Complications may also include bloodstream infections, which are more serious in older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Kidney scarring and fibrosis leading to stages of kidney failure.

Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections:

It is important to start treatment promptly upon noticing symptoms to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys. For mild to moderate cases of bladder and kidney infections, it is recommended to take antibiotics for 3 days for women and 7-14 days for men. Pregnant women and diabetic patients may require longer courses of antibiotics ranging from 7-14 days. It is crucial to complete the full course of antibiotics even if you start feeling better to prevent bacterial resistance. Failure to complete the full course may lead to bacteria developing resistance to that specific antibiotic, resulting in no improvement in future occurrences.
If you are pregnant, do not take antibiotics randomly as they may harm the fetus.

In cases of severe kidney infection:

You may need hospitalization for necessary care, especially if you are unable to take medications and fluids orally. Hospitalization is usually required for the elderly, individuals with anatomical changes in their urinary tract, recent urological surgery, cancer or diabetes patients, multiple sclerosis patients, spinal cord injury patients, and pregnant women for monitoring to prevent complications. Intravenous antibiotics are administered in the hospital.
Individuals suffering from chronic urinary tract infections that do not usually heal or recur frequently may require larger doses of treatment for a longer period. The doctor will investigate the underlying cause of these recurrent infections, which could be anatomical abnormalities in your urinary system. Surgery may be necessary to permanently resolve the issue. Consult a urologist to develop the best treatment plan.

Some tips for preventing urinary tract infections:

• Personal hygiene is crucial in preventing urinary tract infections.
• If you have urinary tract infections, try to sterilize and clean the area after use.
• Drink plenty of fluids when an infection occurs to help flush out bacteria.
• Menopausal women can use estrogen cream around the vagina to reduce infections.
• Consult a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking antibiotics.
• Do not take antibiotics randomly and ensure to complete the full course of treatment.
• Consult a urologist to develop the best treatment plan, especially for recurrent urinary tract infections.