Recurring UTI

Urinary tract infection or UTI affects the function of the urinary system. As the name suggests, it is a type of infection, usually bacterial infection (most often caused by E. coli). Although it is quite common in adults, kids can also suffer from it. Bacterial infection initially affects the urethra, and then it affects the bladder.

A bladder infection is referred to as cystitis. If kidneys and ureters are affected by the infection, the condition is known as pyelonephritis which is considered to be more serious than cystitis. Antibiotics are prescribed to control and cure the condition.

• Poor Hygienic Practices: Bacteria from the colon sometimes spread around the anus. Not maintaining hygiene during sexual intercourse can result in bacterial infection.

• Difficulty Passing Urine: Obstruction to the flow of urine created by an enlarged prostate, spinal injury, kidney stones, etc. can result in an infection. Accumulation of urine promotes bacterial infection.

• Diseases and Disorders: People with AIDS or diabetes are more prone to infections. In bedridden patients, prolonged use of catheters can result in an infection.

• Structural Problems: Children may develop UTIs due to poor hygiene, or due to a structural fault in the urinary tract.
• Wrong Use of Medicines: The urinary tract may get affected if you do not take medicines as suggested by doctors, or take the medicines in a wrong way, or has not completed the course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor.

• Being a Woman: Due to the typical structure near the urinary outlet and vagina, women are more prone to UTI. Frequent sexual intercourse, contraceptive spermicides, and use of diaphragm can result in infected urinary tract. The urethra (the tube that takes away urine from the bladder) is shorter in women than in men, and this makes women more susceptible to bladder infections.

• Menopause: After menopause, insufficient supply of estrogen thins the lining of the urinary tract, which increases the risk of bacterial infections in women.
• Pregnancy: Pregnancy does not increase the risk of having such an infection. But women need to know that UTI can be asymptomatic too, and if left untreated during pregnancy, it can prove to be fatal for both the mother and the fetus.

The symptoms can be the same as experienced in previous UTI, or they can even be severe than the previous ones.

• Burning sensation during urination
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pressure
• Low to high grade fever
• Lower abdomen discomfort
• Frequent urination
• Pain when urinating
• Pain after urination

• Blood in urine
• Cloudy urine having strong smell
• Chills and shaking
• Side and upper back pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Tiredness, weakness, and malaise

Antibiotics help clear the infection within a few days. Serious cases usually require several weeks of treatment. Recurrence of UTI within 15 days of treatment, due to treatment failure (can be due to kidney infection, or obstructions like kidney stones, structural faults, or due to chronic prostatitis) is referred to as 'relapse'. 

Catching the infection again after several weeks, in spite of clearing up of the initial infection with antibiotic treatment, is known as 'reinfection'. Generally, bacteria different from those that caused the previous infection are responsible for recurring infections. So doctors may change the antibiotics.

Drinking 6-8 glasses of water is the best home remedy for UTI. Coriander seeds tea, cranberry juice, echinacea tea, alfalfa juice concentrate also work great for this type of infection. The home remedies help improve the function of the kidneys, and thus help clear out the infection quickly.

They play an important role in prevention of recurring UTI. Maintaining proper hygiene is the best way to avoid recurring infections. Following doctor's instructions religiously while on antibiotics is also equally important.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.