Recurring UTI

Urinary tract infection or UTI affects the function of the urinary system. As the name suggests, it is a type of infection, usually bacterial infection (most often caused by E. coli). Urinary tract infection is quite common in adults though kids can also suffer from a UTI. Statistics show that women are more prone to UTI than men and recurring UTI is also more common in women than men. Bacterial infection initially affects the urethra and then, it affects the bladder. A bladder infection is referred to as cystitis. If kidneys and ureters are affected by the bacterial infection, then the condition is known as pyelonephritis which is considered to be more serious than cystitis. Antibiotics are prescribed to control and cure UTI.

Recurrent UTI

Causes
The most common cause of having UTI or recurring UTI is bacteria. Bacteria from the colon sometimes spread around the anus. General poor hygienic practices or not maintaining hygiene during sexual intercourse can result in bacterial infection. One of the common urinary tract infection causes is obstruction to the flow of urine created by an enlarged prostate, spinal injury, kidney stones, etc. The obstruction leads to accumulation of urine which promotes bacterial infection. People with AIDS or diabetes are more prone to UTIs. Children develop UTIs due to poor hygiene, or due to a structural fault in the urinary tract. In bedridden patients, prolonged use of catheters can result in a urinary tract infection. One may again develop an infection in the urinary tract if he/she has not taken medicines as suggested by doctors or taken the medicines in a wrong way or has not completed the course of antibiotics as prescribed by the doctor.

Due to the typical structure near the urinary outlet and vagina, women are more prone to UTI and many women experience recurring UTIs. Frequent sexual intercourse, contraceptive spermicides and use of diaphragm are the common causes of recurring urinary tract infection in women. The urethra (the tube that takes away urine from the bladder) is shorter in women than in men and this makes women more susceptible to bladder infections. Similarly, after menopause, insufficient supply of estrogen thins the lining of the urinary tract, which increases the risk of bacterial infections in women. Pregnancy does not increase the risk of UTI but women need to know that UTI can be asymptomatic also. Untreated UTI during pregnancy can prove to be fatal for the mother and the fetus. Here are the symptoms of UTI.

Symptoms
Recurring UTI symptoms can be the same as experienced in previous UTI or they can even be severe than the previous ones.

• Burning sensation during urination
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pressure
• Low to high grade fever
• Lower abdomen discomfort
• Frequent urination
• Pain when urinating
• Pain after urination
• Blood in urine
• Cloudy urine having strong smell
• Chills and shaking
• Side and upper back pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Tiredness, weakness and malaise

Treatment
Doctors prescribe antibiotics for UTI which help clear the infection within a few days. Serious cases usually require several weeks of treatment. Recurrence of UTI within 15 days of treatment, due to treatment failure (can be due to kidney infection or obstructions like kidney stones, structural faults or due to chronic prostatitis) is referred to as 'relapse'. Development of UTI again after several weeks, in spite of clearing up of the initial infection with antibiotic treatment, is known as 'reinfection'. Generally, bacteria different from those which caused the previous infection cause the recurring infections. So doctors may change the antibiotics for urinary tract infection in case of recurrent UTI.

Drinking 6-8 glasses of water is the best home remedy for UTI. Coriander seeds tea, cranberry juice, echinacea tea, alfalfa juice concentrate also work great for UTI. UTI home remedies help improve the function of the kidneys and thus, help clear out the infection quickly. They also help prevent recurring UTI. Maintaining proper hygiene is the best way to avoid recurring urinary tract infections. Similarly, following doctor's instructions religiously while on antibiotics is also essential to avoid UTIs.