Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common condition that impacts the urinary system comprising the kidneys, bladder, and tubes like the ureter and urethra. Anyone can be infected, and it can cause pain and inconvenience. However, UTIs are curable and preventable.
What Is Chronic UTI?
Chronic UTIs occur when recurrent episodes happen and the condition does not respond to usual treatments like antibiotics. These infections could cause kidney-related complications and sepsis, which can be life-threatening.
Among men, narrowed urethra can happen if they are exposed to recurrent bladder infections. Recurrent UTIs in women can cause pregnancy complications like preterm delivery and underweight babies.
Symptoms Of Chronic UTIs
There are two types of UTI infections — lower, which is localized at the bladder or urethra, and upper, which happens in the ureters or kidneys and can be dangerous if left untreated.
If you have lower UTI, you may be experiencing:
- Urge to urinate: You may experience an increased need to urinate that doesn’t go away and makes you feel like your bladder is never empty.
- Increased frequency: You may also experience a sudden and uncontrollable urge to use the bathroom more than usual.
- Changes in urine: Your urine may change in smell and color, becoming foul-smelling or cloudy. Sometimes, it may also have traces of blood in it.
- Feeling lethargic: Some people also feel tired and unwell.
- Pain: Women with UTIs can also have pelvic pain.
For upper UTI, symptoms could include:
- Fever: You may experience a spiked fever followed by shivers and chills.
- Pain: Pain in the back and hips is common.
- Exhaustion: You may feel sick, tired, confused and restless.
Upper UTIs must receive immediate care because the bacteria could compromise the bloodstream if left untreated.
Risk Factors Of Chronic UTIs
The infection can happen to anyone, but some people are more vulnerable to recurrent UTIs. Among them are:
- Women: About 50%-60% of women contract UTIs at least once in their lifetime. Recurrent UTIs happen more often among pregnant women and those who use a diaphragm as birth control.
- Those who are sexually active: People who have frequent sexual encounters and those who use spermicide are also at higher risk.
- People with sexually transmitted diseases: These diseases can cause infections and cause chronic bladder infections.
- People with medical conditions: Those with conditions like diabetes, kidney diseases and enlarged prostate are also more prone to recurrent UTIs.
- People who recently underwent medical procedures: Patients who had a kidney transplant or used a catheter may contract UTIs more than others.
Diagnosis And Treatments For Chronic UTIs
If you suspect a UTI, the doctor will first interview you about your symptoms and history. If the symptoms are strong, they can diagnose a UTI straightaway. In some cases, the doctor can also order a urine test, ultrasound or CT scan for further investigation. For pregnant women, a urine test is included in their regular appointments.
When confirmed, doctors prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection, painkillers to reduce pain and phenazopyridine to alleviate the burning sensation in the urinary tract.
Doctors may also suggest preventive antibiotics and hormone pills for menopausal women.
Living With Chronic UTIs
Chronic urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable and mentally and physically exhausting, but they are preventable if you make some lifestyle changes. Here are eight adjustments you can make:
- Drink a lot of water: Ensure you stay hydrated to ensure your urine is healthy.
- Avoid delaying bathroom trips: Holding your urine can cause various health issues.
- Urinate right after sex: This keeps the area clean and flushes out bacteria.
- Opt for other contraceptives: A woman can opt for an intrauterine device, vaginal ring, pills and injections instead of a diaphragm. Men can use condoms instead of spermicides.
- Wipe from front to back: Wiping from back to front can drag bacteria from the anus to the urinary tract.
- Use pads: Women can avoid recurrent UTIs by keeping the area dry and clean with pads.
- Wear breathable materials: Opt for cotton and looser fits instead of tight, nylon-based clothing.
- Use only water to clean your genitals: Scented soaps can make your condition worse, so only use water to wash your genitals.
- Take probiotics regularly: Taking daily probiotics is a safe and effective intervention in preventing recurrent UTIs.
A Healthy Lifestyle Can Prevent Chronic UTIs
UTIs can be disruptive and bothersome. In most cases, making good lifestyle switches and following your doctor’s advice can stop UTIs from recurring.
