A urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. The biggest culprit is the E. coli bacterium that is present in the intestines and penetrates the bladder from the anus through the urethra. The E.coli bacterium adheres to the bladder wall and causes inflammation.
What are symptoms of urinary tract infections?
- Severe and stabbing pain in lower abdomen or low lower back
- Feeling a lot of pressure to urinate, with only a little urine coming out
- Pain when urinating
- Unpleasant smelling urine or blood in the urine
Urinary tract infections in women
A urinary tract infection is more common in women than in men, because the female urethra is close to the vagina and anus. In addition, the urethra is also shorter than in men. Bacteria do not have to travel a long way, which makes it easier to reach the bladder in women.
Causes of urinary tract infections in women:
For women, sexual intercourse, pregnancy, changing hormones, and poor toilet hygiene (sweeping from the back to the front instead of from the front to the back) can cause UTIs.
Wearing polyester underwear can increase the risk of infections because of the combination of the material and the bacteria from the intimate parts. In addition, women should remember to change underwear every day as a preventive measure.
Washing the intimate parts with soap or detergent products with a too high pH value can also cause an infection. The vagina has a value between 3.8-4.5. If you wash the intimate part with a washing product with a higher pH, the acidity changes. Bacteria (and fungi) thrive better at a higher pH. Use of medications such as antibiotics or corticosteroids, and having a disease such as diabetes mellitus can disrupt the natural balance of the intimate part of the vagina and cause a urinary tract infection.
Urinary tract infections in the elderly
Urinary tract infections are very common in the elderly. The condition is often accompanied by abnormalities in the functioning of the urinary tract or abnormalities of the urinary tract itself.
Urinary tract infections in older women
The risk of urinary tract infections among women is greatest among elderly women. During menopause there is a decrease in estrogen. The mucous membrane of the vagina becomes thinner. In addition, less separation is produced and the acidity changes. This makes elderly women more susceptible to infections.
Cystitis can cause UTI’s
A womb prolapse can cause the bladder to not be emptied properly. A small amount of urine then remains in the bladder in which bacteria grows easily, which can cause a bladder infection.
This also applies to older men with an enlarged prostate. They may not be able to empty the bladder completely, which increases the chance of a urinary tract infection.
Older people in care institutions
Older people who live independently experience urinary tract infection less frequently than older people who are nursed for physical or psychological reasons. Urinary tract infections are the most common infections in nursing homes.
Did you know? An estimated 59% of all infections in nursing homes are urinary tract infections.
Urinary tracts infections and incontinence
Urinary tract infections are also more common in people who are incontinent. Because they cannot properly use or control the bladder muscles, the bladder is not completely emptied. As a result, urine remains in the bladder and bacteria can multiply more easily. Patients and clients with incontinence are also often treated with a catheter, which are almost always a source of increased bacteria. In addition, incontinence products can be a source of bacteria, especially if the patient also has fecal incontinence.
People with abnormalities in lower urinary tract
Deviations in the lower urinary tract can cause bladder inflammation. These congenital abnormalities can be very diverse. People suffering from, for example, kidney stones have a very high chance of recurrent inflammations. Paralysis is another condition that increases the risk of a urinary tract infection because the bladder often cannot be completely emptied completely. In some cases, a surgical procedure can offer relief.
Examples of urinary tract infections
Cystitis
An inflammation of the bladder is also called cystitis. Usually the course of a bladder infection is quite innocent. Symptoms may include: frequent urination or indiscretion, pain and burning sensation when urinating, cloudy and bad smelling urine, abdominal pain or lower back and sometimes blood in the urine. It is also possible that there are virtually no complaints. It is important to treat because it can lead to a serious kidney infection.
Kidney infection
Often a renal pelvic inflammation is caused by improperly treated bladder inflammation. In addition, it can be caused by (congenital) blockages in the urinary tract. Blockages can be caused by a swelling, kidney stones or an enlarged prostate. Kidney pelvic inflammation is much more severe than cystitis. Symptoms include: fever, vomiting, pain when urinating, pain under the ribs that can radiate to the genitals.
Prevent Infections
Explore how these essential products help to prevent infections. After all, prevention is better than cure.
Protective wear is the backbone of good hygiene. Protective wear enhances safety, protecting against cross-contamination and passing of infections.
Ensure proper toilet hygiene with products such as Abri-bag, good for preventing infections for patients with functional incontinence.