Understanding urinary tract infection: Stay away from "unspeakable secrets" and build a healthy defense line together

Author: Wang Yaodong, Mianyang Central Hospital, Sichuan Province

He Yuanxi Mianyang Central Hospital, Sichuan Province

Reviewer: Zhang Ming, Chief Physician of Mianyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Sichuan Province, Standing Committee Member of the Second Committee of Urology Surgery of Sichuan Association of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Chairman of the Second Committee of Urology Surgery of Mianyang Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy

Urinary tract infection is a common disease, just like a cold, everyone may get it. However, sometimes when we have symptoms of urinary tract infection such as frequent urination, urgency, and pain when urinating, we are ashamed to talk about it, making it a "secret" and delaying treatment. Let's learn about urinary tract infection and stay away from "secrets".

1. What is urinary tract infection?

The urinary system is mainly composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Urinary tract infection is an infectious disease caused by the abnormal reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms in the urinary system, which is often manifested by symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency and pain. If the above symptoms occur, timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial, and do not delay the treatment because of shyness.

Under normal circumstances, the kidneys continuously produce urine and store it in the bladder, which flushes the urethra while excreting urine. Urine is sterile in a normal urinary system, but the urethra is one of the body's natural openings to the outside world, so it is inevitable that bacteria or other microorganisms will enter the urethra. The vast majority of urinary tract infections are caused by external pathogens that retrograde from the urethra and settle and multiply in the urothelium. Urinary tract infections are not a disease to be ashamed of.

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2. Susceptible population for urinary tract infection

Women, children, the elderly, long-term bedridden people, or patients with other urinary system diseases, diabetes, etc. are all high-risk groups for urinary tract infections. Some people cannot go to the toilet at any time due to work, such as drivers, teachers, nurses, salesmen, etc., and are also prone to urinary tract infections. In addition, people who often suffer from constipation should also be vigilant.

Compared with men, women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. This is determined by women's physiological characteristics. First, the female urethra is short and wide, close to the anus, and bacteria can easily invade through the urethral opening; second, changes in sex hormones and urethral mucosa during menstruation and menopause are conducive to bacterial colonization.

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3. Common symptoms of urinary tract infection

Common symptoms of urinary tract infection include frequent urination, urgent urination, oliguria, abdominal pain, back pain, cloudy urine or even hematuria, and urethral pain or burning sensation during urination. These symptoms may not appear at the same time, but if you have several of them, you should see a doctor immediately.

4. Misunderstandings about urinary tract infection

There is a common misconception about urinary tract infection: urinary tract infection is "getting angry", and drinking more water and drinking herbal tea to reduce the internal heat can make it better. In fact, only a small number of mild urinary tract infections can relieve symptoms after drinking a lot of water and urinating. For patients with urinary tract infection, it is first necessary to clarify whether the infection is in the kidney, ureter, bladder or urethra; treatment must also first identify the pathogen. The most important pathogen of urinary tract infection is bacteria, and the most common is Escherichia coli infection, so anti-infection is the core link of treatment. Choose the appropriate antibiotic treatment for different pathogens and drug resistance. If the patient has a fever or upper urinary tract infection, such as pyelonephritis, oral medication may have little effect, and it is necessary to go to a regular hospital for corresponding intravenous infusion treatment.

5. Prevention of urinary tract infection

For urinary tract infection, it is important to combine prevention and treatment to prevent urinary tract infection and nip it in the bud.

——Drink more water, avoid holding urine, and pay attention to personal hygiene

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——Once relevant symptoms appear, seek medical attention promptly, follow the doctor's advice, and take the medication in sufficient doses within a sufficient course of treatment. Do not take it lightly.

——After acute pyelonephritis is cured, urine routine should be checked regularly, and pregnant women should have their urine routine checked monthly

——People with recurrent urinary tract infections due to kidney stones, urinary tract obstruction or polycystic kidney disease need to take medication as prescribed by the doctor and actively treat the primary disease