Dr Bryan Betty: Urinary Tract Infections

<p><strong><span>What is a urinary tract infection and who gets them?</span></strong> </p> <p><span> </span> </p> <p><span>-Referred to as a bladder infection or cystitis</span> </p> <p><span>-Bacteria gets up into bladder causing the infection</span> </p> <p><span>-Sometimes if untreated can go up into the kidneys – more serious infection is called pyelonephritis</span> </p> <p><span>-More common in women – most women will get one at some point</span> </p> <p><span>-Less common in men – often related to an enlarged prostate as get older</span> </p> <p><span> </span> </p> <p><strong><span>How do you recognise them?</span></strong> </p> <p><span>-Burning passing urine</span> </p> <p><span>-Increased frequency of urination </span> </p> <p><span>-Sudden urgency to pass urine</span> </p> <p><span>-Abdominal pain</span> </p> <p><span>-Smelly or cloudy urine</span> </p> <p> </p> <p><span>-Children can also get urine infections: temperatures, or suddenly bed wetting at night</span> </p> <p><span>-Elderly: can be very difficult to diagnose.  May present with confusion or a fall.</span> </p> <p> </p> <p><span>-Often the GP or nurse will do urine test or send-off sample to the Lab.</span> </p> <p><span> </span> </p> <p><strong><span>How do we treat them?</span></strong> </p> <p><span>-Antibiotics from doctor or nurse</span> </p> <p><span>-If its straightforward your pharmacist may be able to give you antibiotics</span> </p> <p><span>-Drink plenty of fluids</span> </p> <p><span>-You need to see a doctor if you haven’t improved in three days, develop shakes, have a spiking temperature, or increasing pain</span> </p> <p><span> </span> </p> <p><strong><span>Can you Prevent them?</span></strong> </p> <p><span>-Stay well hydrated, cranberry juice may help prevent them</span> </p> <p><span>-Post-sex voiding urine sometimes advised</span> </p> <p><span>-Avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear</span> </p> <p><span>-Make sure to wipe after bowel movements, going front to back</span> </p> <p><span>-Treating constipation if present, as