Urinary Tract Infections – Part 1

Urinary tract infections occur in over 50% of the population. More common in women (53%) vs men (14%) due to the smaller length of the urethra in women.

Patients that have had prior (UTI’s) are drastically more likely for future events. The most common bacteria is from gram negative; E-Coli. However complicated UTI’s can be from structural or anatomic etiologies along with diseases such as diabetes. Drug resistance from antibiotic usage complicates the process.

Symptoms include: dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, Gross blood, pain above the pubic bone, and cloudy or foul smelling urine. If you experience fever, chills, lower back or flank pain, consider these serious in nature.

The diagnosis is made by performing a urinalysis culture and sensitivity. Within the results there may be nitrates, leukocytes, esterase and or blood.

RISK FACTORS INCLUDE

1. Younger women who are sexually active
2. The frequency of intercourse
3. Delayed urination in college aged women have significantly increased risk
4. Physiologically induced pregnancy changes are shown to increase UTI’s
5. Postmenopausal women are complicated by diabetes
6. Condom usage
7. Lack of voiding after intercourse
8. Diaphram usage
9. Incomplete bladder emptying
10. Lack of circumcision
11. Foreign bodies
12. Renal Stones
13. Family history of current UTI’s