URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)

URINARY TRACT
INFECTION (UTI)

URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI)

URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) SYMPTOMS

URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) IN WOMEN

URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) RELATED TOPICS

UNDERSTANDING URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) IN THE ELDERLY

URINARY TRACT INFECTION (UTI) LINKS

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SECTION 1

URINARY TRACT
INFECTION (UTI)

A urinary tract infection (UTI), also known as acute cystitis or
bladder infection, is an infection that affects part of the urinary
tract. When it affects the lower urinary tract it is known as a
simple cystitis (a bladder infection) and when it affects the upper
urinary tract it is known as pyelonephritis (a kidney infection).

Symptoms from a lower urinary tract include painful urination and
either frequent urination or urge to urinate (or both); while the
symptoms of pyelonephritis include fever and flank pain in addition
to the symptoms of a lower UTI. In some cases, a painful burning
sensation in the urethra may be present even when not urinating.

In the elderly and the very young, symptoms may be vague or
non-specific. The main causal agent of both types is Escherichia
coli, though other bacteria, viruses or fungi may rarely be the
cause.

Signs and symptoms

Lower urinary tract infection is also referred to as a bladder infection.
The most common symptoms are burning with urination and having to urinate
frequently (or an urge to urinate) in the absence of vaginal discharge and
significant pain. These symptoms may vary from mild to severe and in
healthy women last an average of six days. Some pain above the pubic bone
or in the lower back may be present. People experiencing an upper urinary
tract infection, or pyelonephritis, may experience flank pain, fever, or
nausea and vomiting in addition to the classic symptoms of a lower urinary
tract infection. Rarely the urine may appear bloody or contain visible pus
in the urine.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urinary_tract_infection

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SECTION 2

URINARY TRACT
INFECTION (UTI)
SYMPTOMS

Urinary tract infections don't always cause signs and symptoms,
but when they do they may include:

A strong, persistent urge to urinate

A burning sensation when urinating

Passing frequent, small amounts of urine

Urine that appears cloudy

Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored
a sign of blood in the urine

Strong-smelling urine

Pelvic pain, in women — especially in the
center of the pelvis and around the area of
the pubic bone

UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) Symptoms
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/basics/symptoms/con-20037892

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SECTION 3

URINARY TRACT
INFECTION (UTI)
IN WOMEN

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a painful and uncomfortable
bacterial infection that can occur in the kidneys, ureters,
bladder and urethra. Because the faster an infection is diagnosed,
the faster a patient can begin the healing process, it is important
to recognize the signs and symptoms of a UTI.

High-Risk Patients

Urine moving through the body is typically sterile and not prone to
containing infection-causing bacteria, however, bacteria can lodge
in the digestive tract and multiply, eventually causing painful
symptoms.

It is especially important to recognize UTI symptoms if a patient is
at higher risk of contracting a UTI as compared to other people. Women
who are at elevated risk include those who have a catheter placed in
the urethra or bladder (according to the National Institutes of Health),
diabetics, those with an immune disorder and women who use a diaphragm
to prevent pregnancy.

Symptom Onset/Types

Because the urinary tract consists of several different organs, any of
which can become infected, symptoms may vary based on the location of
the infection. For example, a UTI occurring in the kidneys (medical term:
acute pyelonephritis) causes symptoms such as upper back or side pain
fever, shaking and chills, nausea or vomiting.

A UTI occurring in the bladder (medical term: cystitis) causes symptoms
such as pelvic pain and pressure, pain in the lower abdomen, frequent
need to urinate, pain when urinating and a low-grade fever.

Finally, a UTI that is present in the urethra (medical term: urethritis)
causes a burning sensation when urinating.

Urine that is altered in color, such as urine that is cloudy, dark,
odorous or bloody in appearance may also signify an infection.

Diagnosis and Severe Symptoms

A physician most often diagnoses a UTI by taking a medical history, listening
to a patient's symptoms, and examining a urine sample, which measures the
amount of bacteria present in the urine. UTIs are most frequently cured with
antibiotics.

It is important to note that untreated UTIs, particularly those in the kidneys,
can cause severe symptoms that may require hospitalization in order to receive
antibiotics. If symptoms related to a kidney infection (such as a high fever
and chills) remain untreated, these can cause an chronic kidney infections as
well as result in irreversible damage to the kidneys.

UTI Symptoms in Women
http://www.ehow.com/way_5278949_uti-symptoms-women.html

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SECTION 4

URINARY TRACT
INFECTION (UTI)
RELATED
TOPICS

How to Cure a UTI Without Antibiotics
http://ww.ehow.com/how_5087426_cure-uti-antibiotics.html

How Long Can a UTI Go Untreated?
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5407737_long-can-uti-go-untreated_.html

Signs and Symptoms of Severe Urinary Tract Infection
http://www.ehow.com/about_5101327_signs-severe-urinary-tract-infection.html

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SECTION 5

UNDERSTANDING
URINARY TRACT INFECTION
IN THE ELDERLY

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that occurs
anywhere along the urinary tract.

The parts of the urinary tract are:

Kidneys

which process urine

Bladder

which stores urine

Ureters

which are the tubes that take the urine
from the kidneys to the bladder

Urethra

which is the tube that empties urine out
of the body from the bladder

Certain individuals are more prone to UTIs than others. For example
the anatomy of women makes them more susceptible to UTI’s because
their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. But as a group, the
population most likely to experience UTIs is the elderly. Elderly
people are more vulnerable to UTIs for many reasons, not the least
of which is their overall susceptibility to all infections due to the
suppressed immune system that comes with age and certain age-related
conditions.

"In elderly men and women, bladder muscles have become weaker, which
leads to increased residual urine volume, less-efficient bladder emptying,
and incontinence. – Nursing Magazine"

According to a recent issue of Nursing, individuals usually tend to empty
the bladder completely upon urination, which helps to keep bacteria from
accumulating within the bladder. But elderly men and women experience a
weakening of the muscles of the bladder, which leads to more urine being
retained in the bladder, poor bladder emptying and incontinence, which
can lead to UTIs. In elderly men, an enlarged prostate can also lead to
obstructed urinary flow and urine stagnation, while in women, bladder
prolapse due to weakness of supporting strucures can have the same effect.
In either sex, no matter the cause, stagnant urine becomes a breeding
ground for the growth and colonization of the bacteria that cause UTIs.

Understanding Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly
http://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/understanding-urinary-tract-infections-elderly/

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SECTION 6

URINARY TRACT
INFECTION (UTI)
LINKS

Criteria for Urinary Tract Infection in the Elderly
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/481627_2

Dr Reddy's Pediatric Office on the Web
http://www.drreddy.com/uti.html

Information from Your Family Doctor
http://www.aafp.org/afp/990301ap/990301d.html

Mayo Clinic: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/basics/definition/con-20037892

Urinary Tract Infection
http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/your-guide-urinary-tract-infections

Urinary tract infection
http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=-375783424

Urinary Tract Infections
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024568/

Urinary Tract Infection - Adults
http://www.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/urinary-tract-infection/overview.html

Urinary Tract Infection - Adults
http://www.healthline.com/health/urinary-tract-infection-adults

Urinary tract infection - adults
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000521.htm

Urinary Tract Infection, Adults
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Urinary-tract-infection-adults/

Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/

Urinary Tract Infection, Children
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Urinary-tract-infection-children/

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and dementia
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=1777

Urinary Tract Infections in the Elderly
http://www.agingcare.com/Articles/urinary-tract-infections-elderly-146026.htm

Urinary tract infections in the elderly population
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21840265

Urinary Tract Infections in Teens and Adults
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/urinary-tract-infections-in-teens-and-adults-topic-overview

Urinary Tract Infections - UTI
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/basics/symptoms/CON-20037892

Urinary Tract Infections - UTI
http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Urinary_tract_infections

Urinary Tract Infections - UTI
http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/bladderhealth/a/UTI.htm

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
http://www.medicinenet.com/urinary_tract_infection/article.htm

Urinary Tract Infection in Women
http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/urinary-tract-infection-in-women.html

Urinary tract infection in women
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/urinary-tract-infection-in-women

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