By Dr. Stewart Roberts
November is National Bladder Health Month. At Breeze Urgent Care, we treat UTIs and other bladder issues, but we also care about prevention. Currently, the societal costs of urinary tract infections, including health care costs and time missed from work, are approximately US$3.5 billion per year in the United States alone. UTIs are a significant cause of morbidity in infant boys, older men, and females of all ages.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra. Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than men. If an infection is limited to the bladder, it can be painful and annoying. But serious health problems can result if a UTI spreads to the kidneys. Healthcare providers often treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics. You can also take steps to lower the chance of getting a UTI in the first place.
Preventing a UTI should be a part of our daily health routine. These steps may help lower the risk of UTIs:
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Drinking water helps dilute the urine. That leads to urinating more often — allowing bacteria to be flushed from the urinary tract before an infection can begin.
• Try cranberry juice. Studies that investigate whether cranberry juice prevents UTIs aren’t final. However, drinking cranberry juice is likely not harmful.
• Wipe from front to back. Do this after urinating and after a bowel movement. It helps prevent the spread of bacteria from the anus to the vagina and urethra.
• Empty your bladder soon after having sex. Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
• Avoid potentially irritating feminine products. Using them in the genital area can irritate the urethra. These products include deodorant sprays, douches, and powders.
• Change your birth control method. Diaphragms, unlubricated condoms, or condoms treated with spermicide can contribute to bacterial growth.
UTIs don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, they may include:
• A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away
• A burning feeling when urinating
• Urinating often, and passing small amounts of urine
• Urine that looks cloudy
• Urine that appears red, bright pink, or cola-colored — signs 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
In older adults, UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.
Antibiotics usually are the first treatment for urinary tract infections. Your health and the type of bacteria found in your urine determine which medicine is used and how long you need to take it. Medicines commonly used for simple UTIs include:
• Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
• Fosfomycin (Monurol)
• Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid, Furadantin)
• Cephalexin
• Ceftriaxone
The group of antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones isn’t commonly recommended for simple UTIs. These drugs include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), levofloxacin, and others. The risks of these drugs generally outweigh the benefits of treating uncomplicated UTIs. In cases of a complicated UTI or kidney infection, your healthcare provider might prescribe a fluoroquinolone medicine if there are no other treatment options.
Often, UTI symptoms clear up within a few days of starting treatment. But you may need to continue antibiotics for a week or more. Take all the medicine as prescribed. For an uncomplicated UTI that occurs when you’re otherwise healthy, your healthcare provider may recommend a shorter course of treatment. That may mean taking an antibiotic for 1 to 3 days.
Whether a short course of treatment is enough to treat your infection depends on your symptoms and medical history. Your health care provider also may give you a pain reliever to take that can ease burning while urinating. But pain usually goes away soon after starting an antibiotic.
If you have frequent UTIs, your healthcare provider may recommend:
• Low-dose antibiotics. You might take them for six months or longer.
• Diagnosing and treating yourself when symptoms occur. You’ll also be asked to stay in touch with your provider.
• Taking a single dose of antibiotic after sex if UTIs are related to sexual activity.
• Vaginal estrogen therapy if you’ve reached menopause.
Urinary tract infections can be painful, but you can take steps to ease discomfort until antibiotics treat the infection. Follow these tips:
• Drink plenty of water. Water helps to dilute your urine and flush out bacteria.
• Avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices or caffeine until the infection has cleared. They can irritate your bladder and tend to increase the need to urinate.
• Use a heating pad. Apply a warm, but not hot, heating pad to your belly to help with bladder pressure or discomfort.
BreezeMed Urgent Care is owned and operated by Dr. Stewart Roberts, and his wife Courtney Roberts. The clinic is located at 15044 Sandpiper Lane, Unit 8 in Naples, Fl. BreezeMed Urgent Care takes major insurance plans and offers comprehensive services for a flat fee. You can register online at www.breezemedurgentcare.com or walk in. Call BreezeMed at 239-529-2142. Hours are Monday-Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm. Proudly serving our community seven days a week to meet all your healthcare needs.
BreezeMed Urgent Care
www.breezemedurgentcare.com
239-529-2142