Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

Urinary tract infection (UTI), as the name suggests is an infection affecting one or more body parts associated with the pumping of urine out of the body. Any of these parts can host the infection when diagnosed with a UTI - one or both Kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. On the basis of the urine and other test/s recommended by your doctor, the affected area and the severity of the infection can be determined. Along with the test reports, a physician may also consider the following as part of a urinary tract infection treatment:



Patient's age
Patient's sex
If the patient has any other illnesses
If the patient has a medical history of repeated UTIs
If the patient has conditions like diabetes, cancer, urine retention, kidney or bladder stone, bowel incontinence, enlarged prostate, etc.
If the patient is pregnant
If the patient is going through Menopause.
Urinary tract infections are more common in women and can be treated successfully with required antibiotics. In men however UTI is rare and hence is generally suspected to be a symptom of some other medical condition; these other tests will be prescribed to rule out any other medical problems before beginning with a urinary tract infection treatment.

In most cases, UTIs can be treated with antibiotics to be taken. The dose of the medicine and the duration of the treatment would depend on the severity of the infection and the factors mentioned above.

Let's take a quick look at urinary tract infection treatment in some detail...

I. UTI treatment in women

For an otherwise healthy adult female with no other underlying medical condition/ illness, an oral antibiotic dose of 1 to 3 days is recommended for a not-so-severe UTI.
For a woman who is pregnant or with diabetes or a mild kidney infection, an antibiotic treatment of 7 to 14 days is recommended.
If the kidney infection is of a higher degree, treatment needs to be continued for several weeks.

In women who get UTI repeatedly, long term treatment or preventive antibiotics might be required. A daily dose of antibiotics or a short term course or an antibiotic dose every time after sexual intercourse can be prescribed depending on the cause of infection.

In women with menopause, along with the antibiotic UTI treatment, use of topical estrogen is also prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrence.

II. UTI treatment in men

The treatment will have to be continued for 7 to 14 days in case of an otherwise healthy male with no other illnesses.

If a male patient with UTI is also suffering from prostration or a kidney infection antibiotic treatment needs to be continued for several weeks.

III. UTI with pain and burning sensation

If a patient diagnosed with UTI experiences pain in the abdomen or pain, uneasiness and burning sensation while urinating pain killers or bladder anesthetics might be prescribed. These medicines might make the urine reddish orange.

These medicines often help the patients who get a severe urge to urinate but do not pass anything when they actually try. The medication reduces the urge.

IV. Severe UTI

If the infection is severe and not advisable to be treated with oral antibiotics, the patient is treated with intravenous antibiotics in the hospital.

In patients who have UTIs due to the back flow of urine from the bladder to the kidneys or due to a structural problem like an enlarged prostate, surgery might be required.

V. UTI treatment in kids

If the infection is not severe, oral antibiotics are prescribed and the duration of medication depends on the symptoms and diagnosis.

In severe cases or if the infected child is less than 6 months of age, hospitalization along with inject-able or intravenous antibiotics are required.

In most cases, the symptoms of UTIs subside within 24 to 48 hours of taking medication and the patient feels better. But the course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor should be completed or the infection might recur and get more severe.

Along with the antibiotic urinary tract infection treatment, all patients diagnosed with UTI must increase their water intake to flush out the infection causing bacteria. Intake of alcoholic, caffeinated, sugary and acidic (some fruit juices) drinks should be discontinued as these irritate the bladder and interfere with the antibiotic treatment. Spicy and oily foods should also be avoided for more effective treatment.

A urinary tract infection can affect one or more parts of the urinary system. This infection is highly treatable with timely diagnosis and proper care. However it is extremely important to diagnose and treat UTIs in the initial stages to avoid complications. Do not neglect even the slightest symptoms. Go here now, and learn about UTI




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