Chronic Urinary Tract Infection: What Are They?
Chronic urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the bladder or urethra, the tube that conducts urine from the bladder out of the body, that occurs repeatedly or over an extended period of time.
Urinary tract infections are frequent, however, some women experience recurrent infections (also known as a recurrent bladder infection, or cystitis).
Symptoms of persistent urinary tract infections in women include:
- More than two infections in a 6-month period and/or three infections in a 12-month period
- Symptoms that do not go away within 24 to 48 hours of starting medication
- A urinary tract infection that lasts more than two weeks is considered chronic.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be a painful and unpleasant condition, but there is excellent therapy available.
Chronic Urinary Tract Infections: What Are the Signs and Symptoms?
Among the signs and symptoms are:
- I have an urgent desire to urinate.
- Urination problems on a regular basis
- When urinating, you may experience pain or a burning sensation (known as dysuria)
- Aches and pains in the lower abdomen, back, and sides
- Need to urinate in the middle of the night
- Urine with a strong or bad odour, that is hazy, or that is stained with blood.
Additional Signs and Symptoms
Additional symptoms may occur if bacteria from the lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) enter the ureters and travels to the kidneys (upper urinary tract).
Backache
Vomiting and nausea
Chills
Fever
Fatigue
Particularly in the elderly, mental changes or bewilderment might occur.
NOTE
Kidney infections are dangerous and must be treated as soon as possible. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.
What Causes Chronic Urinary Tract Infections?
The following are some of the possible causes:
- Bacteria found in the rectum and vaginal canal.
- During sexual intercourse, bacteria enter the urethra.
- Problems with the urinary tract
- Due to a blockage, muscular or nerve disorders, you may have difficulty entirely emptying your bladder.
- Stones in the kidneys or bladder
- Estrogen levels fluctuate during menopause.
- Predisposition due to genetics
Risk Factors
If you’re a woman, you’re more likely to have a urinary tract infection if you:
- Have you ever suffered a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
- If you had multiple kids.
- Do you have diabetes?
- Are you overweight?
- Have you gone through menopause?
- Have a reduced range of motion
- Risk Factors Not Mentioned Earlier
- Other factors that can raise the likelihood of a persistent infection include:
- At the time of the first UTI, I was quite young.
- Using spermicide
- Use of the diaphragm
- a new sexual companion
How is it Diagnosed?
In order to cure chronic urinary tract infections, it’s critical to get a diagnosis as soon as possible. Testing may be done to rule out other possibilities. The following types of diagnostic tests may be used:
Urinalysis.
To see if there are any germs or red or white blood cells.
Urine culture is the study of urine. To determine whether bacteria are present and, if necessary, to test various antibiotics (sensitivity test)
Imaging.
CT scan, ultrasound, and x-ray are used to examine the health of the urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra); in some circumstances, a specific dye is used to aid in imaging.
Cystoscopy.
A scope is used to look within the bladder and urethra for any abnormalities.
Treatment for Chronic Urinary Tract Infections?
Antibiotics are used to treat chronic urinary tract infections. After the infection’s symptoms have disappeared, long-term, low-dose preventive antibiotics may be advised. Consult your doctor for your care. do not do self-treatment.
Preventions?
The following are some prevention strategies:
- Maintain a clean genital area.
- After a bowel movement, wipe from front to back.
- To flush bacteria out of your urinary system, drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Urinate as soon as possible after intercourse to aid in the removal of any microorganisms.
- Use birth control methods other than the diaphragm and spermicides.
- Do not use douches, powders, or deodorant sprays.
- Wear whole cotton underwear that hasn’t been coloured.
