In India, one of the most prevalent bacterial infections among women is Urinary Tract Infection or UTI. This infection can occur in any part of the urinary system i.e., kidneys, ureters, urethra or bladder. The reasons may be drinking less fluid, lack of personal hygiene, sexual intercourse with an infected partner or prevailing medical conditions like diabetes etc. Urgency to empty the bladder may often be the only complaint of these ladies.
Dr. Ramesh Malkarnekar, General Surgeon, Retired Deputy Director of Health Services, Govt of Goa says, “Women are at a greater risk of getting cystitis (bladder infection) than men. Women have a shorter distance between urethra and bladder than men, which makes it easier for the bacteria to spread and infect the other parts as well. Women who have a catheter inserted can present with persistent and repeated infections”. Laxity (looseness) of lower abdominal muscles in elderly women due to repeated deliveries can cause leakage of urine while sneezing and coughing which can lead to an infection. Continual wetness, odor and discomfort pose serious social problems.
Can we identify an UTI?
Dr. Ramesh says that Urinary tract infection sometimes doesn’t cause any prior symptoms, but when it does occur, here’s how we can identify it.
- Abnormal urine color (cloudy urine)
- Blood in the urine
- Bad or strong odor in urine. Frequent and strong urge to urinate, not relieved by passing urine
- Only passing a small amount of urine despite the frequent urge to “Go”
- A painful, burning sensation around the bladder or in the urethra
- Pressure, backache or uneasy feeling the belly button
- Leakage of urine around the catheter in catheterized females.
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Feeling tired
How to get relief from the infection?
In case you experience above signs, you should contact a doctor immediately and take proper medication to treat the infection. But as it is said- “Prevention is better than cure”, here are some preventive measures that Dr. Ramesh suggests to keep away UTI's:
- Drink plenty of liquids/ fluids in any form on and off. Water consumption should be around 2 to 3 litres daily.
- Drinking a lot of water dilutes the urine and ensures that the lady passes urine frequently allowing bacteria to be flushed.
- Educating the ladies to wipe the anal region with water from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Treating the sexual partner for a urinary infection and any sexually transmitted infection.
- Encourage frequent emptying of the bladder
- Always maintain personal hygiene
Thus, although women are at a higher risk than men of getting Urinary Infection, it is important for everyone to take proper preventive measures to ensure that there are no further complications and good health is maintained. It is also important that if a person gets infected, treatment should not be delayed.
