Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection[UTI]- poses a serious threat to kidney functioning.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection [UTI] hinders the person from ability to live a normal life and also poses a serious threat to kidney functioning. It needs medical intervention, but a few lifestyle changes can be followed in order to avoid the infection.

Everyone who has been diagnosed with Urinary Test Infection[UTI] once, is aware of the debilitating and discomforting pain it causes. If the condition is recurring, it hinders the person from ability to live a normal life and also poses a serious threat to kidney functioning.

UTI is a bacterial infection that mainly affects the urinary system . Although most UTI infections affect the lower urinary tract consisting the bladder and the urethra, it can also affect any organ in the urinary system, i.e the kidneys, ureters, bladder or the urethra.

A major health hazard

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections and is classified as a major health hazard. If the infection is only found in the bladder, it’s usually diagnosed as a minor illness that can be treated with antibiotics. However, if the infection further spreads to the kidneys, it may lead to many serious health consequences, and may even be fatal in a few cases.

Urinary tract infections usually occur when the bacteria enters the urinary tract using the urethra as a pathway and starts to multiply exponentially in the bladder. However, the anatomy of urinary system is designed to flush out such foriegn bacterias, When this process is disrupted, the immunity fails and the bacteria infects the bladder and other excretory organs. When the bacteria enters the bladder, it grows rapidly and attacks the urinary tract.

Causes of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection

1. Menopause – Commonly, women in their late forties who hit menopause , experience recurrent UTI as they undergo extreme hormonal changes and that results in change in the vaginal bacteria. Also the decline in circulation of the estrogen during menopause causes changes in the urinary tract that makes women more susceptible to the infection.

2. Blockages along the urinary tract – Normally when the urinary tract is blocked due to reasons like kidney stones, the urine is collected and stored in the tract for a longer duration, which makes way for the bacteria to infect the tract and cause pain.

3. Use of Catheter – People who need a catheter to treat complications raised by another medical condition are also more prone to Urinary Tract Infection.

4. A suppressed immune system – Conditions like diabetes, cancer which suppresses the immune system, normally cause recurrent urinary tract infection. These conditions impair the immune system and allow the bacteria to attack the urinary organs leading to the infection.

Although major causes of recurrent urinary tract infection need medical intervention, a few lifestyle changes can be followed in order to avoid the infection.

Lifestyle Changes to prevent recurrent UTI

1. Frequent Hydration – Consumption of large amounts of water helps in diluting the urine and ensures that one urinates in regular intervals. Frequent urination flushes the bacteria from your urinary tract before it can breed and cause an infection.

2. Delaying urination – Holding back from urinating when the bladder is full can promote bacteria and lead to infection. Hence, it is very important to urinate when the bladder feels full.

3. Maintaining personal hygiene – Good hygiene and clean undergarments along with a frequent doctor visit for check ups will prevent the infectious bacterial growth and, thus provided protection from further escalation of the infection.

UTIs are not necessarily life-threatening, if diagnosed in early stages and timely treatment is administered. However, recurrent urinary tract infections can cause serious damage to the kidney, and if left untreated for long can lead to life threatening sepsis. Hence, it is always advisable to get a physician opinion and follow the treatment plan.