Like any other bacterial infection, a urinary tract infection requires treatment with antibiotics to clear up the bacteria that were the underlying cause of the infection. Bacteria don’t disappear on their own because a person decided to use a home remedy. Clearing up symptoms or easing them could be achieved with home remedies, but to completely eradicate the infection, a patient needs to see the doctor.
The basics about a UTI
A urinary tract infection develops based on the presence and proliferation of bacteria in some part of the urinary tract, which consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. The most common cause of a UTI is E. coli, the bacteria found in the stool of healthy individuals that can cause stomach issues and infections when contaminated chicken, beef, and pork are consumed.
E. coli is also present in human stool, and this can contaminate the urethra under a number of circumstances. When the bacteria enters the urethra, it can settle in or climb up to the bladder, the most common location for a UTI. However, bacteria can also contaminate the ureters and kidneys, causing more serious symptoms and complications. An upper urinary tract infection, which affects the kidneys, this is extremely serious and should be treated by a medical professional immediately.
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection
The signs that you may have a urinary tract infection, and need to seek medical attention as soon as possible, are familiar to many people. Since the symptoms of a UTI can vary and you may not be familiar with all of them, here is a list:
- Urgent, sudden, and frequent urges to pee
- Bloody, discolored, cloudy, or offensive smelling urine
- Slow stream of urine or little production when attempting to urinate
- Feeling as though the bladder is never emptied, even after urinating
- Pressure or pain in the back, sides, pelvis, or abdomen
- Fever, low grade until reaching the kidneys, and then much higher
- Nausea and vomiting, typically once the infection reaches the kidneys
UTIs and potential damage to the kidneys
Getting a UTI diagnosed and treated in the early stages is essential to keeping the infection from reaching the kidneys. Why is it important to try to keep the kidneys safe? Frequent or recurring UTIs can lead to scarring on the kidneys that can’t be fixed because it is permanent in nature. This damage can impair the functionality of the kidneys. Because these important organs have so much responsibility, kidney disease and kidney failure could be fatal. Some of the things controlled by the kidneys are:
- Blood pressure. When the kidneys don’t function properly to clean the blood, this can lead to hypertension, which can be serious and cause other coronary and pulmonary issues.
- Waste and water. The kidneys are the janitors of the body. They filter out excess water and all the waste that needs to be removed from the blood. Then, they use this to create the urine that is lodged in the bladder and then excreted through the urethra. When the kidneys are impaired, they don’t filter properly, which can lead to septicemia and further issues like sepsis.
- Temperature. The kidneys are also tasked with regulating body temperature, and damage can make it impossible to maintain a normal temperature, causing chills or fever, or both.
Septicemia and sepsis: Complications of a urinary tract infection
Septicemia and sepsis are two different medical conditions, but they stem from the same problem and are steps in a very dangerous direction.
Having a UTI means that antibiotics are needed for treatment. If handled properly, urinary tract infections aren’t a big deal most of the time. It’s when the infection reaches the kidneys that things really start to go south. If this happens, the patient is at risk of serious complications that can affect the entire body.
When this bacteria and extreme load of waste results in blood poisoning, the condition progresses into sepsis.
Early signs and symptoms of sepsis include:
- Fever and chills, with a very low body temperature
- Less urination than usual
- Rapid pulse and breathing
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
Sepsis is serious and can lead to death if action is not taken immediately. When sepsis occurs, the chemicals in the bloodstream lead to a widespread inflammation throughout the body. This results in a number of other detrimental conditions.
- Potential for blood clots, which reduce blood flow to limbs and internal organs
- Deprivation of food and oxygen to cells, leading to organ failure
- Drop in blood pressure so severe it is life threatening, known as septic shock
- Septic shock creates conditions for the failure of multiple organs, including the lungs and liver, and can be fatal
Urinary tract infections: Avoiding complications
Some ways to easily prevent urinary tract infections include:
- Making frequent trips to the restroom rather than holding urine when the urge hits, and taking the time to completely empty the bladder
- Proper hygiene, including avoiding scented vaginal deodorants, douches, and bubble baths, as well as wiping from front to back
- Taking showers instead of baths to wash bacteria down the drain rather than sitting in it
- Cleaning genitals before and after sex, as well as wearing a condom during sex and peeing immediately after intercourse
- Drinking plenty of fluid, especially water, consuming at least six eight-ounce glasses per day to stay hydrated
- Taking all antibiotics during a UTI, even if symptoms disappear, to assure all bacteria are killed and don’t flourish, causing a recurrence
Conclusion
Urinary tract infections may be incredibly common, but these infections shouldn’t be taken lightly. That is why, rather than simply hoping that your symptoms will subside on their own — or even, as your grandmother might have advised you, increasing your water or cranberry juice intake — can be so very dangerous. Watching for symptoms and knowing your body well can help you catch the early signs of a UTI, and seeing a physician at these first warnings can assure that there are treatment options to clear up the infection before it spreads.
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