A very common problem that occurs most likely in women is urinary tract infections. This problem has its origin in the action of bacteria that can be found in the urinary tract (vegiga, urethra and kidney).
Therefore, it is important to know the symptoms of urine infection to be able to anticipate the grievance of the problem. Nosocomial infections are very common and usually occur more frequently in people with diabetes (about 2 or 3 times more) than with respect to the healthy population.
In the case of the population sector of women, practically 50% will suffer throughout their lives the symptoms of lifelong infection, according to a study carried out by the Spanish Society of Nephrology.
In the case of men, the highest rate of infection occurs in the first years of life and from the age of 50, when the prostate begins to give problems. However, the chance of contracting the symptoms of urine infection in men from the age of 70 is very low, close to 3.5%.
Why is a woman more likely to suffer the symptoms of urine infection than a man?
The probability of having urine infection in women is much higher than in men due to the shorter length of the female urethra. This length is less than 4 cm, while in man it is 16 cm. This difference allows bacteria found on the pelvic floor of the genital area to have an easier time carrying to the urinary system compared to men.
Symptoms of urine infection
We will know the main symptoms of urine to be able to tackle the problem as soon as possible.
SYMPTOMS
- Burning and burning sensation when urinating.
- Great need to urinate, without necessarily doing so.
- Pain in the pelvic area, for the case of women, which is often concentrated in the area of the pubic bone.
- Intense smell of urine.
- Cloudy urine color, not looking clear (possibly from traces of blood).
- You want to urinate many times, but small amounts.
Symptoms depending on the organ affected
However, an additional problem is that the same symptoms of urine infection are not always met for all cases. It will depend on the organ involved or where the infection is located, suffering some changes in these symptoms.
Urine infection originating in the kidneys
- Pain that rises up the sides and upper back.
- Possible fever.
- Feeling cold, tremors and chills (often linked to fever).
- Feeling nauseous and possible vomiting.
Urinary infection of the bladder (cystitis)
- Possible blood in the urine.
- Discomfort located in the lower part of the stomach.
- Feeling of pressure in the pelvic area
- High frequency of urine and burning.
Urine infection originating in the urethra (urethritis)
- Burning sensation when urinating
Ways to act at the first symptoms of urine infection
Symptoms of mild urine infection often disappear within a few days of suffering them.
To mitigate the pain we may feel, we have some options to relieve the main symptoms. Remember that it is important to consult with the medical specialist to prescribe possible antibiotics depending on the severity of the infection.
- We can take paracetamol to relieve the sensation of pain and inflammation.
- Apply heat (hot water bottle) to the affected area (abdomen or upper thighs).
- Do not make sudden movements and drink plenty of water to eliminate the presence of bacteria.
Natural Remedies
There has been a lot of talk about different natural products that improve symptoms and can treat the infection. In the end, many of them are based on providing a lot of water and facilitating the elimination of bacteria through urine.
One of them, the Blueberries, have been scientifically studied because they contain a specific tannin that reduces the presence of cusante bacteria, E. coli.
A subsequent review of the effects of cranberry did not allow to confirm its veracity due to the heterogeneity of the results.
Why isrigina urine infection?
It is important, once we have known the symptoms of urine infection, to see the possible origin to, in any case, avoid it.
Urine infection happens, in general, when we have an entry through the urinary tract of bacteria. These ascend through the urinary tract and, thanks to body temperature, reproduce quickly.
If the bacteria are able to attach to the walls of the urinary tract, almost total probability, within a few days. we will suffer the first symptoms of urine infection.
Origin of major urinary tract infections
Bladder infection (cystitis).
The origin is the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli), also found in infections of the digestive system and that we can acquire through spoiled food. Other families of bacteria have also been documented, although this is the most common.
Sexual intercourse can be a way to get cystitis, and it is intimately linked to the person’s height (length of the urinary tract) and the distance between the urethra and anus.
Infection of the urethra (urethritis).
The spread can happen by gastrointestinal bacteria accessing from the anus into the urethra. Due to the proximity between the urethra and the vagina, sexual infections can also cause the first symptoms of urine infection.
Most likely causes
- Anatomy: the woman has a shorter urethra and, therefore, less effort to travel through the bacteria.
- Sexual activity: increased sexual activity poses an additional risk.
- Use of diaphragms and other contraceptive methods.
- Menopause: the reduction in the volume of estrogen causes changes in the urinary tract with greater vulnerability to infection of this type.
- Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
- Repressed immune system.
More than 80% of infections are caused by the bacteria Escherichia coli . S. Saprophyticus is the 2nd in importance, with a range between 5 and 15% in the young female population.
Cases of infection caused by bacteria have also been diagnosed K. pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis, among others.
Possible complications of urine infection symptoms
If the first symptoms of urine infection are detected quickly, the problem usually lasts a few days. However, in some (rare) cases there may be complications and serious consequences.
- Complication of infection, with several episodes in a short period of time.
- Permanent kidney damage caused by chronic kidney infection (pyelonephritis).
- Complications in pregnant women.
- Sepsis caused by a complication of the infection.
How to Prevent Urine Infection
To avoid possible urine infections, there are a number of guidelines that will benefit us.
Drinking plenty of fluids helps facilitate the elimination of possible bacteria from the urinary tract.
Be scrupulous with cleaning, perform it from front to back to prevent the entry of bacteria from the anus into the urethra.
Urinating after sex, to avoid any bacteria that may have entered the urethra.
Avoid using feminine products of unknown brands.
Go to the bathroom frequently and without holding urine.
