Urinary Infections: Are They Unavoidable
January 6, 2009
The female body is a beautiful design, but the location and pathway of the urethra – the tube through which urine flows out of the bladder – is a set-up for infections.
Unlike that of men (which is situated along the entire length of the penis), in women the urethra is shorter and close to the rectum, an area loaded with bacteria. No matter how clean you are, your anatomy alone places you at a greater risk than men for urinary tract infections, aka UTIs.
My first UTI was during my first year of college. I was stuck in my dorm for a whole weekend, writhing with lower abdominal pain and frequently rushing to the communal bathroom. Back then, I had no idea what my illness was but, fortunately, I got better without treatment.
A friend from medical school wasn’t so lucky; her untreated UTI progressed to pyelonephritis, an infection of the kidneys, and landed her in the ER with back pain and a high fever. The kidneys, precious because they filter toxins from the blood and make urine, can become scarred by such infections.
If you’ve had a UTI, then you know the symptoms very well. On the other hand, a young woman who’s having her first infection can be quite frightened if she doesn’t understand her symptoms and fears going to the doctor. Let’s run through some of the common symptoms of UTIs:
* Discomfort or burning with urination
* Frequent need to urinate
* Cramping or aching pain in the lower abdominal area, above the pubic bone
* Mid-back pain where the kidneys are located
* Fever or chills alternating with sweating
* Blood in the urine
I advise all women experiencing any of these symptoms to see a doctor right away. UTIs are quickly diagnosed with a simple urine test so that treatment with antibiotics can start immediately. You should start feeling better within 24 hours.
Most importantly, early treatment of a UTI will prevent pyelonephritis. One over-the-counter medication that may help reduce the pain associated with UTIs is phenazopyridine (Uristat). While this medicine is somewhat effective, it should not take the place of treatment by a physician. Another caution: This drug turns the urine orange, and so will interfere with the rapid urine test I mentioned above.
Here are some tips to help you prevent recurrent UTIs:
* Stay hydrated, especially when traveling. (Think of the kidneys-bladder-urethra pathway as a stream – the more water that flows along through it, the fewer leaves and other runoff will build up.)
* Urinate regularly. This will help to prevent bacteria from hanging around.
* Consider taking a daily cranberry supplement. You can do this either in the form of a pill with plenty of water or the juice itself. Cranberry really works because it prevents bacteria from attaching to the bladder wall.
* Avoid caffeine. Caffeine may irritate the bladder.
* Urinate before and after sexual intercourse.
* Lubricate before sex. Invest more time in foreplay before intercourse or use a lubricant during sex to avoid irritating the urethra.
* Stay regular. Constipation is a common cause of childhood UTIs and may contribute to a woman’s risk of developing an infection. Constipation may also mean you are not taking in enough fluids.
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