Treatments for Urinary Infections

Urinary tract infections afflict millions of men and women yearly, although women are five times as likely as men to contract the infection. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria within the urethra and can be treated effectively in a variety of ways. If not treated promptly, however, a urinary tract infection can develop into much more debilitating infections.

Cause

• Urinary tract infections are most commonly caused by digestive tract bacteria that is not eliminated from the body, but instead adheres to the urethral opening after urination. If the bacteria remains there and multiplies, it will result in an infection. E. Coli, a bacteria normally found within the colon, is the most common bacterial cause of urinary tract infections.

Symptoms

• Not everyone with a urinary tract infection experiences noticeable symptoms. However, most experience one or more of the following: a burning feeling while urinating; an increased urge to urinate, even if not much urine appears to come out; urine that is reddish or cloudy; fatigue; and painful pressure in the pelvic area.

Antibacterial Treatments

• The most common treatment for urinary tract infections is the use of antibacterial drugs. These antibiotics are meant to be taken daily---once or twice a day, depending on the type of drug used---over a period of one to two weeks. Physicians recommend that the entire prescription be taken as directed, even if all symptoms vanish; if the antibiotics are discontinued too early, the infection may reoccur.
  Amoxicillin, ampicillin, and trimethoprim are all antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections.

Treatments for Complications

• If a urinary tract infection is not treated promptly, the bacteria multiplying outside and within the urethra can gradually move into the bladder, causing a bladder infection (cystitis); then into the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis, a kidney infection. If either a bladder or kidney infection is present, the antibiotic used to combat the bacteria will need to be stronger and usually taken over a longer period of time.
  If an individual develops a severe kidney infection, hospitalization may be required to prevent lasting kidney damage.

Treatment considerations

• Doctors recommend that individuals undergoing treatment for a urinary tract infection drink plenty of fluids, particularly water and cranberry juice. Research has indicated that cranberry juice prevents the adherence of bacteria to urethral tissue and helps maintain the correct balance of bacteria in the urinary tract. An individual should also avoid spicy foods, alcohol, smoking and coffee while being treated for a urinary tract infection.