When passing urine is a problem

Urinary tract infections (popularly known as UTI) can affect any of the body parts involved in urine production – that means it can affect the kidneys, the bladder and the tubes connecting them. Photo/FILE

What you need to know:

  • It is particularly common in people who tend to wipe themselves from ‘back to front’ after going to the toilet (bringing germs from the anal opening to the urethral opening).
  • Women have a much shorter urethra than men and this makes it easier for germs to reach the bladder and cause infection.
  • Men with enlarged (big) prostates tend to be at increased risk for getting infection as they are not able to empty their bladders properly.

Most people do not think much of their toilet habits. You simply go when you need to without giving the process a second thought. However, when infections of the urinary tract strike, they can make going to the bathroom a nightmare.

Urinary tract infections (popularly known as UTI) can affect any of the body parts involved in urine production – that means it can affect the kidneys, the bladder and the tubes connecting them. They can affect anyone of any age or gender although they are more common in women.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOU HAVE A UTI?

Painful Urination: Usually described as a burning feeling when urinating or feeling as though the urine is very hot.

Frequent urination: You may find yourself going to the bathroom more often than usual.

Urgency: You may find yourself having a sudden overwhelming sensation to urinate – as thought you have a full bladder - this usually causes you to run to the toilet only to pass a small amount of urine

(In other words, the urge to pee does not correspond with the volume of urine that comes out).

Colour/Smell changes: The urine may change in colour (may look cloudy, bloody or even look like coca cola) and may have an unpleasant smell.
Incontinence: Some people may find themselves inadvertently urinating on themselves.

Abdominal pain: This pain is usually located in the lower part of the abdomen . In severe cases it can also spread upwards to the sides of the abdomen (as infection goes to the kidneys). In children, abdominal pain may be the only complaint they have.

In some cases, one may get fever, chills, nausea and vomiting.

WHY DO PEOPLE GET UTI?

The general principle is that germs in the genital area (especially those from the anus region) get into contact with the urethral opening (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside of the body).

These germs go up the urethra into the bladder. When these germs get into the bladder an infection occurs. This infection can spread up to the kidneys if not treated.

It is particularly common in people who tend to wipe themselves from ‘back to front’ after going to the toilet (bringing germs from the anal opening to the urethral opening).

Women have a much shorter urethra than men and this makes it easier for germs to reach the bladder and cause infection.
Pregnant women are also at increased risk for UTI. They can also have germs in their urine without any symptoms.

Diabetic people tend to be at higher risk for infection especially if it is not well controlled.

Men with enlarged (big) prostates tend to be at increased risk for getting infection as they are not able to empty their bladders properly.

Even though you do not have to be sexually active to get a UTI, people who are active tend to get them more often than those who are not.
Constipation (especially long-standing or recurrent) can also put one at risk.

Menopausal women tend to get UTI more often due to hormonal changes.

Children with abnormalities in their urinary system tend to have more infections – in particular boys who get repeated infections need to be checked for these abnormalities.

People who use catheters (tubes) to urinate tend to get frequent UTIs. (Catheters are commonly used in people with spinal injury, pelvic tumours, bladder nerve problems etc).

Poor immunity e.g in HIV positive patients not on therapy, can lead to increased infections of any system including UTI.

People with kidney stones also get more infections than the rest of the population. This is due to blockage of the normal urine passage.

Women who use diaphragms/coils and spermicides have a higher incidence of infection compared to women who use other methods of contraception.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE UTI?

Take your antibiotics – complete your entire course of medication. Do not stop because you are feeling better as partially treated infections can lead to lots of complications.

Take plenty of fluid (Please note that alcohol is not considered a fluid). The best option is water as you can take large amounts with zero calorie intake unlike other fluids such as certain juices and full cream milk which may contain lots of calories. Fluids help to flush out the germs causing the infections.

Wipe yourself from the ‘front to the back’ after visiting the toilet.

Control your diabetes and start therapy for HIV and any other condition your doctor may identify as the one that is suppressing your immunity.

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