Urinary tract infections are caused by direct invasion by bacteria (rarely, by fungi, protozoa, and viruses). Urinary tract infections are divided into upper and lower urinary tract infections. Upper urinary tract infections refer to pyelonephritis and lower urinary tract infections include urethritis and cystitis. Pyelonephritis is divided into acute pyelonephritis and chronic pyelonephritis. It is more common in women.
Why women are prone to urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infection is a disease in which bacteria enter the urinary system to grow and multiply, leading to inflammation. Various surveys have shown that among adults, women have significantly more urinary tract infections than men. Why is this the case? What can be done to prevent the various causes of the disease? This is a matter of great concern to many people, especially women. Here is a point by point analysis, hope to help readers.
First, the special nature of the structure of the female genitourinary system
Women’s urethra is shorter and more relaxed than men’s, and bacteria can easily enter. Therefore, women should increase their awareness of self-protection.
Second, the urethra of women is adjacent to the vagina and anus
In men, the urethra is far from the perineum and there is a “space distance”, so it is not easy to suffer from urinary tract infections. In women, the urethra is close to the vagina and the anus, and there are a lot of bacteria around the vagina and the anus, and the vaginal secretions are a better medium for the bacteria to multiply. Therefore, the way to prevent urinary tract infections in women is to wash regularly to minimize the number of bacteria. In order to reduce the chance of incidence.
Third, menstruation and sexual activity
Menstrual blood is the best medium for bacteria, menstrual hygiene, especially the cleaning and disinfection of menstrual products, is an important part of reducing bacterial invasion. Sexual activity can push bacteria from the anterior urethra into the posterior urethra and bladder through mechanical pushing action. There are clinical cases that have developed after intercourse that illustrate this point.
Sexual activity is an important part of a couple’s life, and it is certainly not possible to “choke on it”, but in the case of recurrent illness and the cause of the disease and sexual activity, appropriate abstinence is also desirable. It is more important to take the following measures: drink a glass of boiled water before intercourse, the purpose is to increase the amount of urine; after intercourse on the toilet to urinate, the sexual action and advance to the bacteria, before it invades the mucous membrane tissue flushing, discharge out of the body, if these two methods still can not eliminate the occurrence of urinary tract infections, can take antibacterial drugs once after intercourse (specific drugs and doses directed by a doctor), the prevention effect sulk ideal, and side effects also very small.
Fourth, pregnancy
When pregnant, the enlarged uterus will press the bladder and ureter, and the endocrine changes also slow down the diastole and peristalsis of the ureter, making the urine flow slow or forming a mild effusion. This condition also facilitates the invasion and multiplication of bacteria that cause disease. Some people used to use antibacterial drugs for prevention, but this method is not advisable.
This is because the abuse of antibacterial drugs may have some negative effects on the mother and fetus, not to mention the long pregnancy, which can be preventable. The author believes that the safe method is to observe closely and check the urine regularly, and to treat it as soon as it is found.
Five, hold urine
This is a common bad habit for women. It will cause two adverse consequences. First, urine stays in the bladder for a long time, so in case a small amount of bacteria invade, it will have more time to reproduce and invade the tissue; second, the bladder is full, the pressure increases, urine will flow backwards up to the ureter, and if bacteria have invaded, it will send the bacteria to a more upstream location and cause pyelonephritis. The solution, of course, is not to hold urine, and even to develop the good habit of “diligent” urination.
Principles of treatment for urinary tract infections
The treatment of urinary tract infection should firstly clarify whether the condition is acute or chronic, whether it is an upper or lower urinary tract infection, what kind of pathogenic bacteria is causing it and how sensitive it is to drugs, how much it affects the kidney function, whether there is urinary system obstruction and vesicoureteral reflux and other triggers, etc. The following principles should be followed in the treatment.
(1) Firstly, give sensitive antibiotics according to the common painful origin.
(2) Perform urine culture before treatment, and then adjust the use according to the drug sensitivity results in time.
(3) Choose antibiotics with high concentration in urine or target organs as much as possible.
(4) The course of treatment should be sufficient. The use of anti-inflammatory drugs should be continued until 2 weeks after the symptoms disappear and the urine culture turns negative.
(5) Predisposing factors must be eliminated at the same time. If there are urinary tract abnormalities or functional abnormalities, they should be corrected or treated accordingly.
(6) Strengthen the immune function of the body.
(7) Recurrent episodes with herbal consolidation therapy.