Urinary tract infection should be taken seriously! This article will show you the symptoms, treatment and care

In our daily life, urinary tract infection is a common health problem. It not only brings physical pain to patients, but also has a serious impact on the quality of life. Many people have experienced uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating, but they do not take it seriously. In fact, these symptoms are likely to be the early stage of urinary tract infection. If "left alone", it is likely to cause a series of health problems. What are the symptoms of urinary tract infection? How to treat and care?

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common disease mainly caused by bacteria invading the urinary tract. Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli are more common. Urinary tract infection is a general term for infections in various parts of the urinary system, such as the bladder, urethra, kidneys, and ureters.

1. Symptoms of urinary tract infection

The symptoms of urinary tract infection vary depending on the site of infection. Generally, frequent urination, painful urination, and hematuria will occur. Urinary tract infection is divided into upper urinary tract infection and lower urinary tract infection:

1. Upper urinary tract infection may cause general discomfort, such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, etc. Some patients with severe symptoms may experience fever, chills, low blood pressure and other symptoms. It may also lead to kidney inflammation and cause low back pain, usually manifested as unilateral or bilateral low back pain, which may extend to the abdomen or groin.

2. Lower urinary tract infection refers to infection in the bladder, urethra and urethral orifice, which can easily cause uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, urethral pain, urgency, and may also be accompanied by hematuria.

Treatment of urinary tract infection

1. Antibiotic treatment

Against the background that common pathogens of urinary tract infections in China have high resistance rates to commonly used fluoroquinolones and second- and third-generation cephalosporins, the introduction of antimicrobial urinary tract preparations is more conducive to standardizing the rational use of antimicrobial drugs by clinical physicians and reducing the occurrence of bacterial resistance.

Nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin have good antibacterial activity against the main pathogens isolated from urine specimens, and are basically excreted from the kidneys with high concentrations in urine, making them very suitable for the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections.

Here is a brief introduction to commonly used antibiotics including β-lactams, quinolones and other drugs:

Ampicillin: Ampicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used to treat urinary tract infections. It is effective against most common urinary tract infection bacteria (such as Gram-negative bacilli).

Cephalosporins: Cephalosporins are derivatives of 7-aminocephalosporic acid (7-ACA) in the β-lactam antibiotics, including cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, etc. They can destroy the cell walls of bacteria and kill bacteria during the reproduction period, and can effectively fight common bacterial infections.

Quinolones: Quinolones have broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and can be used to treat complicated urinary tract infections or conditions resistant to conventional antibiotics. They include norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, morefloxacin, etc., but they need to be used with caution in pregnant women and children.

In addition, some Chinese patent medicines, such as Sanjin Tablets, Shenshu Granules, Ningmitai Capsules, etc., can also be used to treat urinary tract infections.

2. General treatment

In addition to drug treatment, adjustments to diet and lifestyle are also very important. Patients should actively look for factors that cause the disease and eliminate the inducements. They should drink more water and increase urine output. At the same time, they should pay attention to rest, maintain a balanced diet, and eat more easily digestible, vitamin-rich foods to improve treatment effects.

3. Nursing methods for urinary tract infection

Pay attention to personal hygiene: keep bedding clean and hygienic, change underwear frequently, and women can clean the perineum after each bowel movement; keep the vulva and urethra clean, wash with clean water every day, and avoid using irritating sanitary napkins or cleaning solutions.

Dietary adjustment: Drink more water to dilute bacteria and harmful substances in urine, reduce urinary tract irritation, and do not hold urine; consume more foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, vegetables, etc., which help enhance immunity. In addition, avoid spicy food, alcohol, coffee and other irritating foods and drinks.

Condition observation: Closely observe body temperature to see if there is persistent high fever or elevated body temperature accompanied by severe low back pain, etc.; observe urine volume and frequency, and whether there is abdominal pain, back pain, and urethral pain; in addition, it is also necessary to observe whether there are symptoms such as general discomfort, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Testing and follow-up: Regular follow-up should be performed during treatment and recovery. If symptoms fail to improve, if there are discomfort symptoms during drug treatment, or if complications occur, they should be reported to the doctor promptly.

4. Tips for preventing urinary tract infections in daily life

1. Drink plenty of water. It is recommended to drink no less than 8 cups (about 2 liters) of water per day.

2. Avoid wearing pants that are too tight and choose cotton pants to reduce the chance of bacterial growth.

3. Avoid excessive cleaning. Excessive cleaning of the urethra and vulva area may damage the natural protective barrier of the urethra and increase the risk of infection.

4. Clean yourself properly after urinating, such as wiping with toilet paper or using special cleaning paper towels to remove bacteria and urine residue.

5. Develop healthy living habits, pay attention to reducing stress, getting adequate sleep, improving immunity, and reducing the risk of infection.

6. Go to the hospital promptly if symptoms of suspected urinary tract infection appear.

According to clinical results, 90% of patients with urinary tract infections can recover. If there are susceptibility factors such as urinary tract obstruction and deformity, treatment will be difficult and there is a possibility of developing chronic renal failure. Therefore, the health of the urinary system is an issue we should pay attention to. This article shares some basic knowledge about urinary tract infections, hoping to help you better understand and prevent urinary tract infections. The above views only represent personal opinions. If you have symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating, please do not take it lightly and seek help from professional doctors in time. (Bai Yanhua, Department of Urology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University)