How to cure urinary tract inflammation in adults. Urinary tract infections (UTI): causes, symptoms, treatment Urinary infection treatment

Every year a huge number of patients, both adults and childhood, regardless of gender, faces such a serious medical problem as urinary tract infection. Women suffer from this infection much more often than men, but men who develop a urinary tract infection are prone to a protracted and even severe course of the disease.

Urinary tract infections are inflammatory diseases of the human urinary system, caused by infectious microorganisms, which have a recurrent course with the possible development of complications.

The urinary system (urinary tract) is a single complex of organs for the formation of urine and its excretion from the body; it is a serious excretory system, on the precise functioning of which not only the condition of the human body depends, but also the life of the patient in some cases (with acute renal failure). The urinary tract consists of bean-shaped kidneys (urine is formed in them), ureters (through which urine enters the bladder), bladder (reservoir for urine), urethra or urethra (release of urine to the outside).

The urinary tract plays a significant role in maintaining the water-salt balance of the body, the production of a number of hormones (erythropoietin, for example), and the release of a number of toxic substances from the body. On average, up to 1.5-1.7 liters of urine are excreted per day, the amount of which can vary depending on fluid intake, salt, and urinary tract diseases.

Risk groups for urinary tract infections:

Female gender (women suffer from such infections 5 times more often than men, this is due to the physiological characteristics of the woman’s body - a short and wide urethra, which is why the infection penetrates the urinary tract more easily).
- Children under 3 years of age (immunity deficiency, in particular, infections of the nocturnal system are the most common cause fever of unknown origin among boys under 3 years of age).
- Elderly people due to the development of age-related immunodeficiency.
- Patients with structural features of the urinary system (for example, an enlarged prostate gland can impede the outflow of urine from the bladder).
- Patients with renal pathology (for example, urolithiasis, in which stones are an additional risk factor for the development of infections).
- Patients in intensive care units (such patients require urine excretion using a urinary catheter for some period of time - this is the entry point for infection).
- Patients with chronic diseases (eg diabetes, in which there is a high risk of developing urinary tract infections due to a decrease in the body's resistance).
- Women using certain methods of contraception (eg, diaphragm ring).

Factors predisposing to the occurrence of urinary tract infections are:

1) hypothermia (most problems of this nature occur in the cool season),
2) the presence of a respiratory infection in the patient (frequent activation of urological
infections during cold season),
3) decreased immunity,
4) disturbances of the outflow of urine of various types.

Causes of urinary tract infections

Urine that is absolutely sterile from microorganisms is formed in the kidneys; it contains only water, salts and various metabolic products. The infectious pathogen first penetrates the urethra, where favorable conditions are created for its reproduction - urethritis develops. It then spreads higher to the bladder, where inflammation of its mucous membrane occurs - cystitis. In the absence of adequate medical care, the infection travels through the ureters to the kidneys with the development of pyelonephritis. This is the most common ascending type of infection.

Pathogens that cause urinary tract infections:

1) Escherichia coli. This pathogen is a representative of the normal flora of the large intestine, and its entry into the urethra is mainly associated with non-compliance with personal hygiene rules. Also, E. coli is almost always present on the external genitalia. 90% of all urinary tract infections are associated with E. coli.
2) Chlamydia and mycoplasma are microorganisms that mainly affect the urethra and ducts of the reproductive system. They are transmitted mainly through sexual contact and affect the genitourinary system.
3) Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause urinary tract infections in children.
4) Streptococci of serogroups A and B occur periodically.

How can microorganisms get into the urinary tract:

1) If personal hygiene rules are not observed after visiting the toilet.
2) During sexual intercourse and anal sex.
3) When using certain methods of contraception (diaphragm ring, spermicides).
4) In children, these are inflammatory changes due to stagnation of urine in pathologies of the urinary tract of various types.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections

What clinical forms of urinary tract infections occur in medical practice? This is an infection of the urethra or urethra - urethritis; bladder infection - cystitis; infection and inflammatory process in the kidneys - pyelonephritis.

There are also two main types of infection spread: ascending infection and descending infection. With an ascending infection, the inflammatory process affects the anatomically lower organs of the urinary system, and then the infectious process spreads to the higher organs. An example is cystitis and the subsequent development of pyelonephritis. One of the causes of ascending infection is the so-called functional problem in the form of vesicoureteral reflux, which is characterized by the reverse flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters and even the kidneys. Descending infection in origin is more understandable. In this case, the infectious agent spreads from higher parts of the urinary system to lower ones, for example, from the kidneys to the bladder.

Many cases of infectious pathology of the urinary system are asymptomatic. But still, for specific clinical forms there are certain symptoms that patients most often complain about. Most patients are characterized by nonspecific symptoms: weakness, poor health, fatigue, irritability. Such a symptom as a seemingly causeless fever (temperature) is in the vast majority of cases a sign of an inflammatory process in the kidneys.

Patients with urethritis are concerned: pain when urinating, pain and burning at the beginning of the urination process, discharge from the urethra of a mucopurulent nature, having a specific odor.

For cystitis noted frequent urination, which can be painful, accompanied by painful sensations in the lower abdomen, a feeling of insufficient emptying of the bladder, and sometimes the temperature may rise.

Pyelonephritis characterized by the appearance of pain in the lumbar region, increased body temperature (in an acute process), chills, symptoms of intoxication (weakness, body aches), and the patient may not feel urinary problems. Only with an ascending infection may you first be bothered by pain when urinating and frequent urination.

Summarizing the above, we list the symptoms characteristic of urinary tract infections that require seeing a doctor:

1) pain, burning and stinging when urinating;
2) frequent urination;
3) pain in the lower abdomen, in the lumbar region;
4) pain in the suprapubic region in women;
5) temperature and symptoms of intoxication without symptoms of a cold;
6) discharge from the urethra of a mucopurulent nature;
7) change in the color of urine - it becomes cloudy, the appearance of mucus, flakes, streaks of blood;

Features of urinary tract infections in children

Common causes of urinary tract infections in children are genitourinary tract obstruction, various types of functional disorders, phimosis, congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract, and rare bladder emptying.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections in children may be subtle. Children under 1.5 years old with such an infection can become irritable, whiny, refuse to eat, and may have a not very high, but causeless temperature, which is poorly controlled by conventional antipyretic drugs. Only from the age of two will the child complain of pain in the abdomen or back, pain in the lower abdomen, you will notice frequent urination, urination disorders, body temperature often rises rather than remains normal.

The outcome of a urinary tract infection in a child is often favorable, but there are consequences such as sclerosis of the kidney tissue, arterial hypertension, protein in the urine, functional kidney disorders.

Features of urinary tract infections in pregnant women

Up to 5% of pregnant women suffer from inflammatory kidney disease. The main reasons for this include hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, a decrease in the body's immunological defenses, and changes in the location of certain organs associated with the growing fetus. For example, due to the increase in the size of the uterus, pressure occurs on the bladder, congestion occurs in the urinary organs, which will ultimately lead to the proliferation of microorganisms. Such changes require frequent monitoring of this system in a pregnant woman.

Features of urinary tract infection in men

First of all, the reasons leading to urinary tract infections in men differ from those in women. This is mainly a pathology such as urolithiasis and an increase in the size of the prostate gland. Hence the impaired outflow of urine and inflammatory changes in the urinary system. In this regard, the treatment program for men includes such an item as removing an obstacle to the outflow of urine (a stone, for example). Also, certain problems are caused by a chronic inflammatory process in the prostate gland, which requires massive antibiotic therapy.

Diagnosis of urinary tract infections

A preliminary diagnosis is made based on the patient’s clinical complaints, but in all cases this is not sufficient to make a correct diagnosis. For example, pyelonephritis can be accompanied only by fever and symptoms of intoxication; lower back pain does not appear on the first day of the disease. Therefore, without additional laboratory research methods, it is difficult for a doctor to make a diagnosis.

Laboratory diagnostics include:

1) general clinical tests: general analysis blood, general urinalysis, biochemical tests of blood (urea, creatinine) and urine (diastase).
The most informative at the initial stage is a general urine test. An average portion of morning urine is taken for testing. During the study, the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes is counted, due to which bacteriuria (bacterial inflammatory process) can be suspected. Also informative are indicators such as protein, sugar, and specific gravity.
2) bacteriological method (urine culture on special nutrient media in order to detect the growth of certain types of microorganisms in them), in which the average portion of morning urine is taken into a sterile container;
3) PCR method(with negative culture and ongoing urinary tract infection) - to identify microorganisms such as chlamydia, mycoplasma.
4) Instrumental diagnostic methods: ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder, cystoscopy, X-ray contrast study or intravenous urography, radionuclide studies and others.

Basic principles of treatment of urinary tract infections

1. Regime measures: home semi-bed rest for treatment of urinary system infections, and if indicated, hospitalization in the therapeutic or urological department of a hospital. Compliance with a diet with limited salt and sufficient fluids in the absence of renal failure. For kidney diseases, diets No. 7, 7a, 7b according to Pevzdner are indicated.

2. Etiotropic treatment(antibacterial) includes various groups of drugs that
are prescribed ONLY by a DOCTOR after the correct diagnosis has been made. SELF-medication will lead to the development of antibiotic resistance of the infectious agent and frequent relapses of the disease. For treatment, the following are used: metoprim, bactrim, amoxicillin, nitrofurans, ampicillin, fluoroquinolones (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin), and, if necessary, combinations of drugs. The course of treatment should be 1-2 weeks, rarely longer (with concomitant pathology, development of septic complications, anomalies of the urinary system). After completion of treatment, the effectiveness of treatment must be monitored by a full laboratory examination prescribed by the attending physician.

Advanced cases of urinary tract infections with a protracted course sometimes require longer courses of etiotropic treatment with a total duration of several months.

Doctor's recommendations for preventing protracted urinary tract infections:

Drinking regime (sufficient fluid intake throughout the day);
- timely emptying of the bladder;
- hygiene of the perineal area, daily shower instead of taking a bath;
- careful hygiene after sexual intercourse;
- do not self-medicate with antibiotics;
- avoid spicy and salty foods, drinking coffee;
- drink cranberry juice;
- sharply reduce smoking until completely eliminated;
- avoid sexual intercourse during the treatment period;
- exclude alcohol.

Features of therapeutic measures in pregnant women:

When urinary tract infections are registered in a pregnant woman, treatment measures are carried out without delay to prevent more serious problems (premature birth, toxicosis, arterial hypertension). The choice of antibacterial drug is up to the doctor and depends on the duration of pregnancy, assessment of its effectiveness and possible risks to the fetus. The prescription of drugs is strictly individual.

3. Syndromic therapy(antipyretics for fever, urological preparations, herbal
uroseptics, for example, phytolysin, immunomodulators and others).

4. Herbal medicine for urinary tract infections: use infusions of herbs (birch leaves, bearberry, horsetail grass, dandelion root, juniper fruits, fennel fruits, black elderberry, parsley fruits, chamomile flowers and others).

The main problem of urinary tract infections is the frequent development of a recurrent form of infection. This problem is typical mainly for women; every 5th woman after the initial debut of a urinary system infection experiences a repetition of all symptoms, that is, the development of a relapse, and sometimes frequent relapses. One of the important properties of relapses is the formation of new modified strains of microorganisms with an increase in the frequency of relapses. These modified strains of bacteria are already acquiring resistance to specific drugs, which will certainly affect the quality of treatment for subsequent exacerbations of the infection.

Recurrent urinary tract infections may be associated with:

1) with an unfinished primary infection (due to incorrect low doses of antibacterial drugs, non-compliance with the treatment regimen, development of pathogen resistance to drugs);
2) with long-term persistence of the pathogen (the ability of the pathogen to attach to the mucous membrane of the urinary tract and remain in the source of infection for a long time);
3) with the occurrence of repeated infection (reinfection with a new pathogen of the periurethral space, rectum, perineal skin).

Prevention of urinary tract infections

1) Importance in preventive measures is given to timely sanitation of chronic lesions
bacterial infection (tonsillitis, sinusitis, cholecystitis, dental caries and others), from which the infection can spread through the bloodstream and affect the urinary system.
2) Compliance with hygienic rules for caring for intimate areas, especially girls and
women, pregnant women.
3) Avoid overwork and hypothermia.
4) Timely correction of changes in immune system person.
5) Timely treatment of diseases of the urinary system (urolithiasis, prostatitis, developmental anomalies).

Infectious disease doctor N.I. Bykova

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition that can affect anyone, regardless of gender or age. This is an inflammatory process of the urinary system, which occurs as a result of damage to these organs by infectious microorganisms. UTIs are most common in women, however, in men the disease is usually more severe and can last for a longer period.

The urinary system is a system of internal organs that form, accumulate and excrete urine from the human body. Sometimes not only the general well-being of the patient, but also his life depends on the proper functioning of the urinary tract.

At-risk groups

As described earlier, women are most susceptible to these infections. According to statistics, they suffer from them five times more often than representatives of the stronger sex.
People with weak immunity, as well as patients suffering from infection of the urinary system.
Elderly people.
People with certain abnormalities in the structure of the genitourinary system are prone to the occurrence of this disease, for example, the prostate gland is larger than the standard size (this makes it difficult to excrete urine, which can contribute to the appearance of UTIs).
The risk group also includes people with kidney pathologies. For example, the appearance urolithiasis increases the likelihood of contracting an infectious disease.
Patients being treated in the intensive care unit or intensive care unit, since the outflow of urine through a catheter can lead to infections.
Some chronic diseases diseases such as diabetes can also contribute to infections.
Women using some types of contraception, such as the diaphragm ring.
Pregnant women. This is due to the fact that during this period the level of immunity decreases, the body is weakened, and it is easier for infections to get inside and infect internal organs. Also, an enlarged uterus can contribute to an increase in pressure in the organs of the genitourinary system. Which can contribute to the formation of stagnation and lead to damage by harmful bacteria.

Bacterial infections

Bacterial UTIs can penetrate the urethra, bladder, kidneys, and also the prostate gland. Signs of the disease may not appear at all, but patients usually experience frequent urination, urgency, and pain in the lower abdomen. When the kidneys become infected, systemic manifestations, including sepsis, are possible.

These infections can be detected using bacteriological urine tests. Antibacterial therapy is prescribed to treat bacterial UTIs. Among patients under 50 years of age, this disease is detected more often in women, and after the age of fifty, UTI occurs equally in both sexes.

Hypothermia (the peak of diseases occurs in the cold season).
Respiratory infections.
Decreased immunity.
Improper functioning of the urinary system.

Pathogens

The most common causative agent of UTI is Escherichia coli. The disease can also be caused by:

Klebsiella;
proteas;
Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
enterococci;
streptococci;
mushrooms of the genus Candida.

More rare cases are when infections occur due to the appearance of the following pathogens in the body:

damaging microorganisms - staphylococci;
mycoplasma;
infectious pathogens - chlamydia;
hemophilus influenzae;
corynebacteria.

The female body is more often affected by E. coli, and the male body is more often affected by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus.

The following are the ways in which UTIs enter the human body:

From bottom to top (urethral route): the infection passes upward from the urethra to the kidneys.
From top to bottom: UTI pathogens travel down from the kidneys to the bladder.
Ingestion by lymphogenous and hematogenous route. The infection penetrates the urinary tract along with the outflow of lymph or blood from neighboring organs.
Through the shell genitourinary organs from nearby infected organs.

Causes

The kidneys produce completely pure urine, which consists of water, salt and various metabolic substances. Infecting microorganisms initially find their way to the urethra, where they begin to multiply, resulting in a disease such as urethritis.

Then infectious pathogens rise to the bladder, its mucous membrane begins to become inflamed, thereby provoking the occurrence of cystitis. If treatment is not started in time, harmful microorganisms will rise even higher until they reach the kidneys, resulting in pyelonephritis. This is the most common type of disease development.

Symptoms

Often these diseases occur without obvious manifestations. However, you should pay attention to the following symptoms: decreased activity, general poor health, irritability, and rapid fatigue. Another sign is high temperature (usually a symptom of an inflammatory process in the kidneys).

Urethritis is accompanied by the following characteristic features: sharp pain, burning during urination, mucous discharge that has an unpleasant odor may be observed.

The main symptom of cystitis is frequent urination, which causes pain, and pain in the lower abdomen may also occur. A false urge to urinate and a feeling of bladder fullness appear. The temperature may rise.

With pyelonephritis, symptoms of improper functioning of the urethra may not be immediately felt. But with an infection ascending from the urinary tract to the kidneys, pain first appears during the outflow of urine, then the kidney area begins to hurt and lumbar region. The patient develops a high fever, which may be accompanied by body aches and trembling.

General signs of a UTI, if they appear, you should consult a specialist:

cutting pain, burning during urination;
increased urge to urinate;
pain in the lumbar region;
increase in temperature in the absence of symptoms of colds;
pain in the lower abdomen;
the appearance of specific mucous secretions;
cloudy urine, the presence of blood, flakes, mucus in it.

In children, the manifestations of UTIs are often unclear. In a child under two years of age, this disease manifests itself as irritability, tearfulness, loss of appetite, and possible fever. Treatment of such infections in children usually proceeds quickly and favorably; in rare cases, the disease develops into complicated forms.

Diagnostics

Initially, the diagnosis is determined by interviewing the patient, based on the described signs. But often this information is not enough. For example, the symptoms of pyelonephritis do not immediately appear fully, therefore, without a more in-depth examination it is impossible to identify it. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is established based on additional laboratory examinations of the patient’s tests.

Laboratory diagnostic methods include:

Studies of general urine and blood tests. Additional biochemical tests to detect substances such as creatinine (in the blood), detection of diastase (in the urine). A laboratory method determines the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes. Indicators such as the presence of protein and sugar can also help in making a diagnosis.
Detection of lesions by bacteriological methods (urine culture analysis to study a certain bacterial environment and identify microorganisms in it that are causative agents of infections). For this analysis, the patient needs to submit morning urine urine to the laboratory.
Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to identify pathogens such as chlamydia and mycoplasma. PCR is used when a patient has a negative culture, but signs of the disease are present.
Diagnostic methods such as ultrasound of the urinary system, cystoscopy, X-ray contrast studies, radionuclide examinations and others are also carried out.

Treatment

Treatment mainly consists of taking special medications, which are prescribed exclusively by the treating doctor and only after a diagnosis has been identified. Self-medication is extremely dangerous. Patients treated at home must observe partial bed rest; in case of a complex form of infection, patients are sent to hospitalization in a hospital. Be sure to adhere to a diet that includes minimal salt intake and increased fluid intake.

The following drugs are used to treat UTIs: Trimethoprim, Amoxicillin, nitrofurans, Ampicillin, fluoroquinolones and others. Some cases require the use of several of the above medications. Many of them are prohibited from being taken during pregnancy; in this case, doctors prescribe various natural decoctions and infusions of herbs, roots, and berries.

Treatment usually lasts 14-28 days, but if the patient has an advanced, complicated form of the disease, then a longer period is possible (up to two to three months). After the course of treatment, control tests are required.

Indications for patients with complicated UTI:

regular use of clean drinking water(in the amount necessary for the patient at his weight);
mandatory timely urination;
maintaining genital hygiene; a shower is recommended instead of a bath;
exclusion of alcohol from the diet, spicy foods, salt and coffee;
include cranberry juice in your diet;
smoking is strictly prohibited;
during the course of treatment, avoid sexual intercourse;

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of UTIs, first of all, you should monitor the hygiene of the genital organs. Any infectious lesions of the body (for example, caries) that can flow through the blood into the genitourinary system should be eliminated in a timely manner. Avoid extreme fatigue and hypothermia. If the slightest signs appear, you should immediately contact a specialist.

The urinary tract is a single complex, which includes organs that produce urine and remove it from the body. It is formed by the kidneys, bladder and urethra.

They are very closely interconnected and form the genitourinary system, on which not only the normal functioning of the body, but also, in some cases, human life depends. Therefore, if symptoms of a urinary tract infection are detected in women, urgent treatment is required.

UTI diagnosis - what is it?

UTI stands for urinary tract infection (ICD code 39). She represents group of inflammatory diseases affecting the urinary system. They can be caused by urogenital infections:

penetration of E. coli from the intestine into the urethra, where it settles and provokes the development of the inflammatory process. This occurs, as a rule, due to neglect of personal hygiene rules;

activation of microbes of opportunistic flora. These microorganisms are always present in the urinary tract. Moreover, in a healthy person, their activity is suppressed by the action of immune cells, and they do not pose a health hazard.

With weakened immunity, opportunistic bacteria begin to intensify their activity, which leads to the development of pathological processes in the urinary tract;

entry of chlamydia and mycoplasma into the urethra during unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner.

IMVP group formed by several diseases:

pyelitis.

In the absence of timely and correct treatment, these diseases can have relapses and serious complications.

Chronic UTI infection develops against the background of incorrectly selected treatment, the prescription of antibacterial drugs that do not give the expected effect, or a short course of medication. Exacerbation of the disease can occur several times a year.

During this period, antibacterial therapy is carried out. If this is not done, it may begin to develop renal failure.

Read our article about what kidney failure is.

During remission It is recommended to carry out sanatorium-resort treatment, as well as adherence to preventive measures. In this case, a specialist can prescribe a course of individually selected antibacterial and diuretic drugs.

Risk factors and causes

The development of a urinary tract infection is usually caused by the following risk factors:

hypothermia, especially in the autumn-winter period;
frequent respiratory diseases;
weak immune system;
gynecological and urological operations;
pathological changes in the urinary system due to old age;
disruption of urine outflow caused by various pathologies.

Particular attention should be paid to the condition of the urinary system. pregnant women.

The fact is that during this period, in addition to decreased immunity and changes in hormonal levels, the growing fetus also compresses other pelvic organs. This leads to the appearance of stagnation, which contributes to the activation of pathological bacteria.

TO related reasons leading to the development of UTIs may include the presence of:

urolithiasis;
diabetes mellitus;
in men;
uterine fibroids in women;
renal failure;
problems with emptying the bladder;
spinal cord lesions.

Women are much more likely to get a urinary tract infection than men. This is due short and wide urethra, which allows microorganisms to freely penetrate the urinary system.

Symptoms of pathology

The difficulty of identifying UTI at the initial stage is that it is asymptomatic.

Even if you feel unwell, it manifests itself in the form of weakness, fatigue, irritability, apathy, and a slight increase in temperature.

These signs can characterize many diseases, so the patient may not immediately understand that he is developing a urinary tract infection.

In development Symptoms of urinary system diseases begin to appear in the form of:

pain and discomfort when emptying the bladder;
frequent urge to urinate;
pain in the lower part abdominal cavity and lumbar region;
significant increase in temperature;
nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea;
mucopurulent discharge from the urethra;
with mucus, pus or flakes.

If these signs appear, you should immediately contact a specialist. Without timely treatment, urinary tract diseases may develop, which represents serious health hazard.

Diagnostic measures

When a patient contacts a specialist for diagnosis infectious diseases urinary system enjoy instrumental and laboratory studies.

First of all, the patient is examined and his complaints are analyzed. Based on this, a presumptive diagnosis is made and the examination required to confirm it is prescribed, which includes:

Conducting blood tests, biochemical blood tests and bacteriological urine tests. These studies allow us to identify the presence of an inflammatory process;
Ultrasound examination, which makes it possible to detect the presence of stones in the kidneys and bladder;
, with the help of which the mucous membranes of the bladder and urethra are examined;
Contrast radiography, which gives a picture of the condition of the organs of the urinary system;
Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which are used in cases where doubt remains about the accuracy of the diagnosis;
Visit to the gynecologist (for women).

Based on the survey data, a final diagnosis and the required treatment begins, which, depending on the course of the disease, can be carried out both at home and in a hospital setting.

How to treat?

Elimination of urinary tract infection is carried out with the use of a large number of drugs:

All of the drugs listed are aimed at eliminating a specific problem and have contraindications for use. Therefore, they should be prescribed by a doctor after an examination.

At the same time, he composes professionally medical complex from several agents and calculates the required dose and number of doses. The course of treatment usually continues from 10 to 14 days.

Also often used in the treatment of UTIs herbal uroseptics. They consist only of natural ingredients and are completely harmless. Moreover, in addition to therapeutic effect, they provide positive action for the entire body, enriching it with vitamins and minerals.

As an aid in complex therapy, you can use decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs. But this should be done after consultation with a specialist.

If treatment is carried out promptly and correctly, then usually urinary tract diseases go away quickly and do not cause serious complications. After completing the medication, the patient recovers and returns to his normal lifestyle.

You should not self-medicate, as it can cause serious harm to health and even pose a threat to life.

Particular care should be taken when treating urinary tract infections. pregnant women. This disease can cause premature birth, increased toxicosis, and persistent increase in blood pressure. In the current situation, a minimum amount of drugs is used.

The specialist selects antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs in each case individually, based on the condition of the woman herself, the fetus and the duration of pregnancy.

When treating pregnant women, herbal uroseptics, suppositories, immunomodulators, urological herbal preparations consisting of bearberry, horsetail, dandelion roots, juniper, chamomile, parsley and dill seeds, echinacea, and milk thistle are widely used.

Prevention of UTIs

For that to avoid development of urinary tract diseases, experts advise adhering to the following recommendations:

By adhering to these rules, you can normalize the functioning of the urinary system and strengthen the condition of the body as a whole. This will allow it to resist the increased activity of various pathogenic microbes and bacteria that provoke the development of the disease.

Find out the features of urinary tract infections in Russia and their treatment from the video:

Urinary tract diseases are a fairly common disease today. Often, urinary tract diseases occur against the background of an inflammatory process. As a rule, when one of the organs becomes inflamed, the disease does not go away on its own, and in the absence of treatment, it only begins to develop.
The process of inflammation, for example, if it began from the urethral canal, then, moving through the vessels of the urinary tract, it will reach the bladder, and then cover the ureters (unilateral and bilateral inflammation). Afterwards, the inflammatory process can also affect the kidneys.
Ureters are vessels through which urinary fluid from the kidneys enters the urinary tract.
bubble.

For the ureters, the most well-known disease is urethritis (inflammation of the ureters).

Causes of the disease The development of this process is preceded by a number of reasons, namely diseases of the urinary system and urinary tract. Most clinical cases prove that with urethritis, the patient is diagnosed with urolithiasis. Most often these are kidney stones, which the patient himself may not have suspected before.

Stones tend to form in the renal pelvis, and then they can move down through the vessels of the urinary tract and stop in the ureter. Thus, the presence of a stone in the ureter is accompanied by an inflammatory process. This process can cause the symptom of kidney colic.

A number of diseases that can cause ureteral urethritis

Types of diseases

2. Pyelitis. Kidney disease, the process of which develops in the renal pelvis. Like pyelonephritis, pyelitis is also an infectious and inflammatory disease. The disease develops as a result of infection and bacteria and affects the mucous membrane of the kidneys. In this case, damage to the organs of the genitourinary system occurs, and the outflow of urinary fluid is disrupted. When treating pyelitis, antibiotics are used to eliminate the infection from the body.

3. Cystitis. A disease characterized by inflammation of the bladder. The disease often occurs due to infection entering the vessels of the tract leading to the bladder. Women are more susceptible to cystitis, which is explained by the peculiar structure of the genitourinary tract in women. Because women have a wide urethra, bacteria and infections are much more likely to enter the body. Most often, the development of cystitis is promoted by E. coli, and rarely by other types of bacteria, for example, candida fungi (candidiasis or thrush). To eliminate the source of infection and pathogenic bacteria, in addition to the main treatment process, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. In the treatment of cystitis, decoctions containing medicinal herbs are often used.

In addition to the formations listed above, ureteral urethritis can also be caused by a sexually transmitted infection.

The organs of the genitourinary and urinary systems are located at a close distance from each other, as a result of which the infection penetrates through the openings of the genital tract and enters the ureter and other organs. With any infectious disease, it will invariably be accompanied by an inflammatory process. And the inflammatory process, as we know, does not go away on its own, but only expands the area of its influence in the absence of proper treatment. During any infectious disease, the doctor prescribes antibiotics to relieve inflammation and destroy the infection.

Symptoms of the disease

As you know, urethritis does not occur on its own, but only as a result of any of the diseases.
Symptoms of urethritis caused by stone disease:
- pain in the lumbar region, accompanied by contractions;
- pain “scoots” from the lumbar region to the posterior wall of the abdominal cavity (can radiate to the groin and genitals);
- increased body temperature, increased blood pressure, nausea, vomiting (these symptoms are usually variable);
- discomfort and pain when urinating;
- cloudy urine and blood impurities;
— stone loss (apparently visually)

Symptoms of inflammation of the ureter caused by cystitis:
- cutting pain and burning sensation during urination;
- dull pain in the lumbar region;
- cloudy urine (blood stains and purulent discharge are possible);
With inflammation of the ureter, often the earlier symptoms of the previous disease become less noticeable. In addition to the signs listed above, there is also a deterioration in the person’s general condition (weakness, headaches, fatigue, fever, etc.)

Diagnosis of the disease

Analysis of urine

Diagnosis of the ureter includes a number of procedures:
- general blood analysis;
- general urine analysis;
- blood chemistry;
- urography (X-ray method that detects disturbances in the outflow of urinary fluid and the presence of stones);
- cystoscopy (a procedure for checking the inflamed ureter for swelling);
- ureteroscopy (detection of swelling and damage to the ureter);
— catheterization of the ureter (detection of the presence of pus and cloudiness in the urinary fluid);
— Ultrasound (examines the ureters and kidneys)
Diagnostics is necessary for the doctor to accurately prescribe treatment procedures and for their high effectiveness. Diagnosis of the disease is carried out in special medical centers in the direction of the attending physician.

Treatment of the disease

There are two main methods of treating urethritis (inflammation of the bladder) - a conservative method and a surgical method. The conservative method of treating urethritis is selected individually. The choice of method directly depends on the cause that led to inflammation of the bladder.
If the cause is the presence of urolithiasis, the doctor prescribes antispasmodics and drugs that lead to the dissolution of stones. If these stones are not large or are sand, then in addition the doctor may recommend using medicinal herbs, relieving inflammation.
If the cause of inflammation of the ureter is cystitis, pyelonephritis or pyelitis, then all efforts should be devoted to treating these diseases first.
When treating urethritis, the doctor usually prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs and uroseptics. And also indicated for intravenous use saline solutions and glucose mixtures. But the main drugs in the fight against urethritis are antibiotics.
During treatment they are often used as diuretics. medications, and diuretic medicinal herbs. After reducing the exacerbation process, physiotherapy is used.

Surgical intervention

Most often, surgical intervention is necessary if inflammation of the ureter is caused by urolithiasis.

When the stone reaches a huge size and lingers in the ureter for a long time, thereby causing inflammation, it must be removed surgically

Surgery is also performed if the ureteral cavity is damaged. If most of the ureter is damaged, a tube is usually installed to drain urinary fluid.

Treatment of urethritis with folk remedies

Traditional medicine is gaining more and more popularity every day. Sometimes, medicinal herbs become an indispensable assistant in everyday life. However, it is worth considering that diseases are different and can be of different nature, degree of danger, and form, when the use of medicinal herbs may not have an effect, and a person will only prolong the disease process. To take any type of herbal medicine, you must first consult a doctor. If the doctor approves and appreciates what the patient has chosen medicinal herb useful and can be used, only then should it be done.
A well-known herb that can help in the treatment of many diseases (urethritis, cystitis, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis etc.) - yellow zelenchuka.
Otherwise, people call it “yellow gubanya” or “earth incense”.
Directions for use: 1 tsp. Brew the herbs in a glass of boiling water and let it brew, then consume before meals. This decoction should be taken 3 times a day, one glass.
No less effective is the herb called “hernia naked”.
Method of preparation: 1 tsp. pour 200 ml of boiling water and infuse. It is recommended to consume 0.5 cups 2 times a day, preferably in the morning and evening.

In contact with

Among women, pathologies of the urinary tract of an infectious nature are 10 times more common than among the male population. This is primarily due to the characteristics anatomical structure female body.

More than half of the world's female population has experienced a similar problem at least once in their lives. As practice shows, relapse of the disease is observed in 40% of all cases, and it occurs within 6 months from the onset of the first symptoms.

The reason is that the treatment of the first case of the disease is not of sufficient quality, or due to weakened immunity, re-infection occurs. In our editorial, we will look at how dangerous a urinary tract infection can be, symptoms in women, treatment and simple methods of preventing diseases.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are pathologies of an infectious nature in which an inflammatory process actively develops, affecting various organs of the genitourinary system. As a rule, these pathologies are characteristic of the female population, however, the risk of their occurrence in men cannot be excluded. Moreover, they can be quite long-lasting and have frequent relapses.

Important. Modern statistics indicate that UTIs are the second most common among all infectious pathologies.

By its nature, an infection is a pathogenic microorganism that has a pathological effect on a specific organ or system of the body, in this case the woman’s genitourinary system. Without certain medical actions, the infection spreads to nearby organs, causing an active inflammatory process.

Long-term lack of treatment leads to chronic disease, which subsequently negatively affects the health of the entire body. Inflammatory processes in a woman’s genitourinary organs can cause the most unpleasant consequences.

Important. The results of a bacteriological study for UTI infections in women reveal about 100,000 colony-forming pathogenic units in 1 ml of urine.

Due to the characteristic features of anatomy, UTIs develop in women and girls tens of times more often than in boys and men. And Russia is the country where the most cases of infectious lesions of the urinary system are observed.

Pathogens

In medical practice, there are a huge variety of different pathogens that provoke the appearance of infectious pathologies of the urinary tract.

They are differentiated into:

pathogenic;
conditionally pathogenic.

Pathogenic pathogens are the cause of the development of infectious diseases. Opportunistic pathogens can be part of the normal flora of the female genitourinary system, however, in the presence of provoking factors, for example, mechanical injuries or weakened immunity, they multiply and contribute to the formation of the inflammatory process.

In some situations, inflammation is caused by viruses, such as:

herpes virus;
cytomegalovirus;
papillomavirus.

Most pathogenic agents have the ability to be transported with the bloodstream, settling on various organs and systems of the body.

Attention. A high risk of contracting infectious pathologies is observed during the period when a girl begins to be sexually active, because this is the most common route of infection.

Routes of infection

There are several ways infections can enter:

Ascending (urethral). Located in the bladder and urethra, the infection rises higher to the ureters and further to the kidneys.
Descending. Pathogenic agents, located in the kidneys, descend down the urethra to the genitals.
Hematogenous and lymphogenous. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate into the urinary canals through the bloodstream from nearby pelvic organs.
Through the walls of the bladder from nearby focal lesions.

Classification of infectious pathologies of urinary tract in women

UTI diseases in women are classified depending on:

lesion;
origin;
clinical manifestations.

Table No. 1. Classification of infectious diseases.

Damage area
Upper organ infections	In particular, this is pyelonephritis, which affects the pelvis and calyces of the kidneys and the cellular tissue of the organ.
Infections of the lower organs MVS	urethritis. The inflammatory focus is localized on the bladder and ureters.
Origin
Uncomplicated form of infection	There is a lack of urine outflow, but the functions of the urinary excretory organs are slightly impaired, and there are no developmental abnormalities.
Complicated form	There is critical organ dysfunction and developmental abnormalities.
Hospital form	The reasons for the development of inflammation are the diagnostic procedures or therapeutic measures that were performed on the patient.
Community-acquired form	The formation of inflammation is not associated with medical intervention.
Clinical manifestations
Clinically significant infections	Patients clearly feel the accompanying characteristic signs of pathology. This: violation of urine excretion; pain when urinating; nagging pain in the lower abdomen; weakness; temperature increase. The accompanying symptoms depend on the type of pathogen and the source of inflammation.
Asymptomatic	In frequent cases, infections are latent in nature, and they can manifest characteristic symptoms only in the presence of a provoking factor. Diagnose possible pathology is possible only through instrumental and laboratory research.

Important. Infections of the genitourinary system are equated to dangerous pathologies, since in some situations they can lead to serious consequences. This is due to the fact that treatment of urinary tract infections in women at an advanced stage is difficult to respond to drug therapy. As a result, the risk of relapse cannot be excluded, and in more complex situations, infections can lead to abscess of a paired organ or sepsis.

Causes

As we have already noted, in frequent cases, it is promiscuity that causes a urinary tract infection; symptoms in women depend on the type of pathogen, the location of the lesion and the severity of the disease.

But other causes of infection include:

lack of personal hygiene;
hypothermia;
mechanical injuries of the internal organs;
weakened immune system;
severe stress;
impaired metabolism;
spread of infection from other inflamed organs;
congenital anomalies of the development of organs of the MVS;
the presence of concomitant pathologies, for example, vesicoureteral reflux, problems with the functioning of the bladder, stagnation of urine, etc.;
foreign bodies in the genitourinary system.

The risk group for developing infections includes women, expectant mothers and the elderly.

Elderly people are at high risk of developing diseases due to the fact that the following pathological changes are noted at their age:

failure of the epithelium;
weakened immune system;
suppression of mucus production;
microcirculatory disorders.

In addition, a high risk of infection appears in women with the following diseases:

cystocele;
diabetes;
hormonal imbalance;
neurological disorders.

Table No. 2. The incidence of urinary tract infections in women at different ages.

The incidence of infections in women increases with age.

If a urinary tract infection reappears in women, the treatment was performed poorly. This indicates a relapse of the pathology. A relapse can be called a pathology that reappears after a month (but not more than 6 months) after treatment.

Infectious diseases of the urinary tract in women

In medicine, there are many different pathologies associated with infection of the genitourinary system.

Table No. 3. The most common UTI infections.

Infection	Description
Herpes on the genital organs	The woman feels burning, itching, and discomfort. There are blisters that burst over time and form ulcers. Lymph nodes swell.
Adnexit	Infectious lesion of the appendages, which, as it spreads, causes serious consequences.
Chlamydia	Damage to the female genitourinary organs may manifest itself as symptoms: cystitis; cervicitis. Chlamydia is a pathogenic microorganism that can cause ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Infection occurs through sexual contact with a sick partner.
Urethritis	Inflammation of the urinary excretion pathways occurs. Accompanied by urination disorders, discomfort and pain in the lower abdomen. It can be transmitted through sexual contact, and also occur due to mechanical damage to the genitourinary organs.
Gonorrhea	The woman has discharge that has a yellow or red tint. Sexual intercourse is accompanied by pain, which also accompanies it when urinating. Bleeding and fever may occur.
Vaginitis	The following signs can help identify this disease: burning in the genital area; discomfort in the lower abdomen; unpleasant smell of discharge.
Pyelonephritis	This is a systemic disease affecting the kidneys and urinary tract. Pathogenic microorganisms, multiplying and affecting the urinary organs, can cause sudden attacks of pain in the lumbar region. The cause of infection is: hypothermia; stress; lack of hygiene.
Cystitis	This is a disease that affects the urinary tract and bladder. This problem is accompanied by: frequent urge to urinate; pain during bowel movements; nagging pain in the lower abdomen; temperature.

All of the above pathologies are easy to exclude at the initial stage of development, however, advanced forms lead to chronicity and complicate the treatment process.

Clinical picture of urinary tract infections

In frequent cases of UTI infection in women, it occurs latently, without obvious signs, which complicates the disease if treatment is not started in a timely manner.

But many pathologies manifest themselves with common characteristic symptoms:

fast fatiguability;
weakness;
lack of mood;
pain during bowel movements;
unpleasant smell of urine;
lower back pain;
itching, burning;
discharge that has an unpleasant odor;
rash on the genitals;
formation of papillomas or condylomas;
impurities of pus or blood in the urine;
unpleasant sensations and discomfort during sexual intercourse;
elevated temperature.

All of the above signs can appear with various types of infection, so an accurate diagnosis can only be made after diagnostic measures have been carried out.

Possible consequences

Despite the fact that at the initial stage infectious diseases are easily treatable, they are often hidden in nature, which is why a woman sounds the alarm quite late.

This is where the risks come from possible consequences, these include:

transformation of pathology into a chronic form;
reproductive dysfunction;
discomfort in intimate life;
renal failure;
pregnancy pathologies.

Important. An irresponsible attitude to the treatment of urinary tract infections is a danger not only to one’s own health, but also to the health of one’s intimate partner.

Diagnostics

First of all, diagnosis begins with collecting the patient’s medical history, the presence of concomitant diseases and clinical manifestations. Only after this the doctor gives a referral for laboratory tests.

One of the main tests to determine the presence of pathogenic microorganisms is a laboratory urine test for the presence of colony-forming units (CFU).

Table No. 4. CFU indicators in 1 ml of urine.

Important. Urine collected in a sterile container should be quickly sent to the laboratory, since the number of bacteria in it will double every hour, causing the result laboratory research may be unreliable.

Instructions for the patient's further behavior are developed by the attending physician. Which doctor will carry out the treatment depends on the scope of the infection.

It can be:

therapist;
gynecologist;
infectious disease specialist;
nephrologist;
surgeon.

As an additional examination, the following are prescribed:

X-ray.

Treatment

The patient can receive drug therapy both while in the hospital and at home (if the condition allows). Severe forms of infections must be treated under medical supervision.

How to treat a urinary tract infection in women is determined only by the attending physician. Self-medication is fraught with the development of all kinds of complications.

Along with drug therapy, the patient’s daily routine is adjusted:

the amount of physical activity is limited;
regular bowel movements are prescribed with a break of 2 hours;
To increase the volume of urine excreted, drinking plenty of fluids is prescribed.

If the disease is severe, the woman is recommended to go to bed. Diet also has a huge impact on recovery.

The following should be excluded from the diet:

smoked meats;
salinity;
spicy and fatty dishes.

The goal of therapy for urinary tract infections in women is aimed at eliminating pathogens, relieving inflammation and restoring normal flora of the urinary system.

Treatment of infectious diseases is carried out comprehensively, the system includes:

taking antibiotics;
taking painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
symptomatic treatment;
dieting.

Attention. The main drugs used to treat infections are antibiotics. The type of drugs is selected by the doctor based on the results of bacteriological diagnostics for sensitivity to antibacterial agents.

The most commonly used antibiotics:

Amoxiclav.
Cephalexin.
Ampicillin.
Amoxicillin.
Ceftriaxone.
Biseptol.

Every woman who is faced with the problem in question knows that infections cause pain, so doctors prescribe painkillers in combination:

Baralgin.
No-shpa.
Drotaverine.
Pentalgin.

The above medications are not aimed at treatment, they can only relieve severe pain during illness.

In addition to treatment, the following medications are prescribed:

antiseptics;
immunomodulators;
vitamins;
antihistamines;
drugs that restore normal intestinal flora.

Prevention

Prevention of infectious pathologies of the internal organs consists of several simple but important rules:

maintaining an active lifestyle;
rejection of bad habits;
proper diet;
maintaining personal hygiene;
taking vitamins;
regular scheduled examinations;
timely treatment of existing diseases;
use of protective equipment during intimate contacts.

To summarize, we note that the most unpleasant consequences can be caused by urinary tract infections in women; symptoms, treatment and prevention, as a general rule, have a similar picture, but the main difference is the type of pathogen. It is very important to contact a qualified specialist when the first signs of a pathological condition appear, because only early stages you can easily get an effective result and achieve complete recovery.

In the video presented in this article, our readers will be able to get Additional information about urinary tract infections in women.