Senior Living News

What Is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection, commonly called a UTI, occurs when an infectious organism settles in at least one part of the urinary system. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria, but it's also possible to develop a viral or fungal UTI.

The urinary system is responsible for making, storing and excreting urine. It has four parts:

1. Kidneys: Your kidneys make urine, produce hormones, control the amount of fluid in your body and perform several other functions.
2. Bladder: Your bladder stores urine until you're ready to expel it.
3. Ureters: The ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
4. Urethra: Your urethra carries urine from your bladder to the outside of your body.

If you have an infection in your lower urinary tract, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Frequent urination
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Painful urination
• Abdominal or pelvic cramping
• Bloody urine
• Urge to pee even when your bladder is empty

A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is more serious than a standard UTI. Watch for these symptoms:

• Flank pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea/vomiting

UTI Diagnosis

If you have UTI symptoms, your doctor may ask you to provide a urine sample. During a test known as urinalysis, lab professionals look for the following:

• Urine color
• Acidity (pH level)
• Clear or cloudy appearance
• Odor
• Bacteria
• White blood cells
• Red blood cells
• Ketones
• Protein
• Glucose
• Bilirubin (the pigment that gives bile its color)

Based on the results of the urinalysis, your doctor may also order a urine culture. This test helps identify the organism responsible for your infection. It also makes it easier to determine which antibiotic is capable of killing the bacteria in your urinary system.

Risk Factors for UTIs

Some people are more likely than others to develop UTIs. These are some of the most common risk factors:

• Previous UTI: If you've had a UTI in the past, you may develop another one at some point.
• Menopause: During menopause, women produce less estrogen. A lack of estrogen may cause an overgrowth of infection-causing bacteria in the vagina. Less estrogen has also been linked to lower levels of lactobacillus, the "good bacteria" capable of preventing infections. As a result, women going through menopause may start developing UTIs.
• Sexual activity: During sexual activity, friction may push bacteria into the urethra, causing an infection.
• Urinary tract abnormalities: Some people have frequent UTIs due to structural abnormalities in their urinary tracts. For example, men with enlarged prostates may have difficulty emptying their bladders. This gives bacteria more opportunities to multiply.
• Age: Older adults tend to have higher rates of diabetes, urinary retention and other health problems associated with UTIs.
• Catheter use: If you use catheters, it's possible for bacteria to travel from the catheter to the inside of your urinary system, resulting in frequent infections.

Potential Complications of a UTI

Although UTIs are common, they can be quite serious. For example, an untreated kidney infection may cause permanent kidney damage, leading to high blood pressure, an increased risk of diabetes and other serious consequences. In men, untreated UTIs may also lead to inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) or a prostate abscess. An abscess is a collection of pus that usually results from severe inflammation.

Older adults can even experience delirium as a result of a UTI. Delirium causes confusion, agitation and other serious symptoms, making it a serious concern for seniors and their family members. Fortunately, researchers at Cedars-Sinai have announced a possible breakthrough in the treatment of this UTI complication.

In 2021, they discovered that IL-6 inhibitors can reverse delirium associated with urinary tract infections. IL-6, short for interleukin 6, is a protein involved in immune system function. If you have a UTI, your immune system responds by attacking the infectious organism. As part of this response, IL-6 may cause structural changes in the brain, increasing the risk of delirium. Blocking the action of IL-6 may prevent this from happening.

UTI Treatment Options

Antibiotic therapy is the most common treatment for an uncomplicated UTI. Cephalexin, nitrofurantoin and other antibiotics kill infection-causing bacteria, clearing up your symptoms. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, take them exactly as instructed.

In some cases, an infection develops due to the presence of a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO). This type of organism is resistant to multiple antibiotics, making it more difficult to treat the infection. If you have a UTI caused by an MDRO, your doctor may prescribe intravenous (IV) antibiotics instead of oral antibiotics.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent UTIs

These lifestyle changes may help you prevent UTIs:

• Changing your bathroom habits: It's important to use the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to urinate. If you tend to hold in your urine, try changing your bathroom schedule.
• Catheter use: If you use catheters, make sure you wash your hands beforehand. Avoid reusing catheters, as it's easy for them to become contaminated with bacteria. If you need tips on safe catheter use, check with one of the nurses at our assisted living community.

Water consumption:Drinking plenty of water helps flush bacteria out of the urinary tract, which may help prevent UTIs.