Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)- a Sign of Aging?
Not Every Painful Urination is a Bacterial Infection
Aug 15, 2009
Urine is normally sterile. Infection may occur when bacteria (typically e.Coli) from the digestive tract during the process of elimination attaches itself to the urethra. Most often urine flushes these bacteria away and there is no further problem. If this does not occur, the bacteria moves up the urethra, then to the bladder, and lastly to the kidneys.
Structural Changes Appear in the Urinary Tract with Aging
Bacteria finds it easier to invade. For example an enlarged prostate or prostatitis may either block the urethra or expel bacteria. Kidney stones may block passage. Weakening of muscles over time results in bladder, uterus, or cervix prolapse. Thinning de-estrogen-ized vaginal tissue makes the area sensitive to invaders and tender. Ensuing problems of incontinence or incomplete emptying of the bladder adds to the propensity of the older population having more urinary infections than the general adult population
Signs of a UTI
Below are many of the signs and symptoms of a typical urinary tract infection. Be advised that occasionally no signs are present other than confusion and forgetfulness or a general feeling of malaise.
- Cloudy urine
- Blood in urine
- Malodorous urine
- Urge to void (urgency)
- Frequent voiding (Frequency)
- Pain with urination (dysuria)
- Dribbling
- Nausea, abdominal or pelvic heavy feeling
- Fever
Clinic visit procedure for a UTI
Occasionally antibiotics of 3-7 day course are prescribed, based on the history (the patient complaint) alone. Otherwise a dipstick urine test is done in office to validate the infection and antibiotics are prescribed. In some instances a sterile collected sample will be sent for culture at the same time.
Treating Acute Pain and Bladder Spasms
- Phenazopyridine is an OTC (over the counter) medication commonly called Azo Standard.
- Cytex is also OTC with a form of antibacterial agent called methenamine. Opinions vary on its efficacy.
- Pyridium is the prescription strength equivalent of AZO
- Ditropan and detrol are prescriptions for bladder pain and spasms but can cause enlargement of the prostate in some men.
- Ketorolac (torodol) has been known to be effective. This drug has been prescribed for menstrual cramps as well.
- Buscopan
- Urised, Urispas
The OTC medications may solve the temporary problem, additionally some of the above will discolor your urine bright orange making the urine dipstick impossible to read once at the clinic. Usually antibiotics are given then without testing for a definite UTI.
Urinary Tract Self Tests
It is now possible to perform an abbreviated dipstick test at home. Doing this allows taking the pain meds that discolor urine right after testing if there is an infection or not. The kits include instruction and 2 or 3 sticks with a color code to diagnose. One brand offers results of positive or negative leukocytes (white blood cells) and positive or negative nitrites. Another kit offers 2 sticks with positive or negative results for protein or nitrites. Other substances examined in the office dipstick are not included.in the customer one.
Nitrites are the gold standard for diagnosing UTIs. Leukocytes and protein can be present in nonbacterial urine samples.
The Bladder is Spasming and There is No Infection
If the entire stick is negative, there is probably no bacterial infection. If any other markers are positive, a clinic visit is advised. There can be symptoms mimicking infection after any trauma to the bladder. This includes intercourse, tampax insertion, or injury. Injury may be identified as any intra abdominal surgery or hysterectomy or prostatectomy or catheterization. Constipation too can be a cause.
One of the OTC bladder pain spasm pills may help in the duration with a warm sitz bath. Otherwise a clinic visit is recommended. A true UTI untreated, can have serious repercussions.
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