Facts About Urinary Tract Infections in Women
- Bladder catarrh is an infection of the urinary bladder. It is almost always bacteria enters the urinary bladder via the urethra. The bacteria leading to an inflammation of the mucosa which line the inside of the urinary bladder. The mucous membrane becomes red and irritated, and the entire bladder is irritable. The irritation gives contractions in the bladder and frequent small urination
- Urination may be painful. Many have pain and heat sensation in the abdomen after urination
- The infection is treated usually with antibiotics
What is UTI?
The symptoms of this condition are so typical that many who have had bladder catarrh before, will be able to make the diagnosis itself.
How common are urinary tract infection in women?
Is among sexually active women before menopause 0.5-0.7 infections per year. 20-40% will have urinary tract infection during their lives.
What causes urinary tract infection in women?
Catarrh of the bladder may occur when bacteria get into the urinary bladder, which otherwise is bacteria-free. It is almost exclusively bacteria from the intestine, which is the cause of urinary tract infections, and 3 of the 4 cases, caused by the bacterium E. Coli . The bacteria can get into the urinary bladder, in that they migrate from the skin through the short urethra into the bladder. They can also come directly from the intestine through the bladder wall.
With increasing estrogen deficiencyin menopause is the mucosa both in the vagina and urinary tract dry, thin and less resistant to bacteria. The possibility of an infection is therefore increased during this period.
Wherein the penis during intercourse pressing against the anterior vaginal wall, the bacteria is pressed into the urine from the area around the urethral meatus and from the glands along the urethra. It is therefore not unusual for catarrh of the bladder may occur after intercourse.
There also seems to be a correlation between rare urination and frequent bladder catarrh. In women who leave the water rarely gets bacteria more time to multiply. This increases the risk of getting bladder catarrh.
What are the symptoms of urinary tract infection in women?
The classic symptoms are pain or burning on urination, frequent urination or increased urinary urgency, acute onset and blood in the urine.
What symptoms should you pay particular attention to?
If you need to urinate frequently, and it hurts when you pee, you probably have a bladder infection.
How is it diagnosed?
The diagnosis is based mainly on your description of the symptoms, which are very typical. An examination of the urine can confirm the diagnosis. Have you been diagnosed with urinary tract infections in the past, and you recognize the symptoms, it is not always necessary with a new appointment with the doctor to get a new antibiotic treatment.
What treatment is there?
The infection is treated usually with antibioticsAnd the effect of this treatment is good. Uncomplicated acute catarrh of the bladder in otherwise healthy young women are usually handled with a cure of 3 days. In older women it may be necessary with a 5-day course.
In addition to cure an infection it may be necessary to prevent new episodes if UTI is a recurrent problem. For menopausal women, estrogen may have a preventive effect. If you get bladder catarrh intercourse, it may be beneficial to take a enkeltdose with antibiotic after intercourse. It may help to go to the bathroom a few minutes after intercourse.
On rare occasions, you may need long-term treatment with low doses of antibiotics. This treatment can take place in 3-6 months or longer.
What can you do yourself?
There are several things you can do to prevent bladder catarrh:
- Do not keep you too long if you have company bladder
- Do not freeze the legs and abdomen
- Do not sit on cold surfaces
- Avoid the use of diaphragms and spermicides, it increases the risk of urinary tract infection
Do you want to try herbal remedies, try cranberry juice: 1.5 cups 2 times daily or lactulose.
How is long-term prospects?
Almost all quickly becomes healthy by treatment. An uncomplicated bladder catarrh also has a benign course with or without treatment. With ample drinking, and to avoid freezing, many will be cured in a short time, even without the use of medication.
A lower urinary tract infection can spread to the upper urinary tract and cause pyelonephritisBut this is unusual.
How do I avoid or worsen urinary tract infection?
Empty your bladder quite frequently, and if you tend to cystitis, so drink plenty. Use warm underwear to avoid being cold in the abdomen.