Urine Disease

Urinary tract infection is a disease that affects any part of the urinary tract from the kidney, the bladder, the urethra up. It is due to the presence of infectious agents in any part of the urinary system, and when it affects the kidneys is called pyelonephritis when it affects the bladder is called cystitis; when it reaches the urethra is called urethritis. The bacterium which is typically responsible for urinary infections is Escherichia coli, which comprises the normal intestinal flora of humans.

Although it can affect individuals of both sexes and all ages, is more commonly seen in women. However, this relationship is reversed during the first year of life, when this condition is more common in boys.

Urinary tract infection affects women more frequently due to anatomical factors as the urethra empties near the entrance of the vagina, where the bacterial flora is abundant. Another point that supports the occurrence of this type of infection is the habit of hygiene after defecating or urinating, taking the toilet paper in the direction anus-vagina, facilitating the migration of intestinal bacteria to the vulva. In addition, the urethra is much shorter when compared with male easing the way these organisms into the bladder. The urinary stasis is also an important factor in the development of urinary tract infections, since the stagnant urine contributes to growth of bacteria.

Other factors that contribute to the onset of urinary tract infections include:

• Pregnancy, for at this time of a woman's life, there is a decrease in the body's defense just as well as increase the hormone progesterone, which causes a greater relaxation of the bladder, favoring urinary stasis;

• Diabetes;

• Climacteric;

• Urinary obstruction when some factor is preventing urinary flow;

• Insertion of foreign bodies in the urethra, as these may carry bacteria into the urinary tract;

• Neurological Diseases, as these can interfere with bladder emptying;

• Sexually transmitted diseases;

• gynecological infections.

Among the clinical manifestations observed in urinary tract infections include:

• Pain and burning during urination;

• Difficulty starting urination;

• Urgency voiding;

• Desire to urinate several times a day and in small quantities;

• Urine odor and color changes;

• Hematuria (bloody urine) in some cases.

When the infection reaches the kidney, the picture is more worrying, the patient may experience fever, chills, back pain, nausea and vomiting.

The diagnosis is made based on the clinical state of the patient, along with urinalysis, which can reveal the presence of bacteria in the urine and also other signs that help in the diagnosis. Urine culture is also usually required, and this helps in identifying the bacteria causing the infection.

In some patients, especially children and individuals with a history of urinary tract infection, it is necessary to perform imaging tests such as ultrasound and contrast radiography of the urinary tract, among others. These studies help to disclosure of defects that favor the development of this type of infection.

The treatment is done by the use of antibiotics, this being usually selected in accordance with the result of the urine culture. The length of treatment varies with the type of urinary tract infection and the antibiotic of choice. It is extremely important that the treatment is carried out entirely in accordance with the doctor's prescription to avoid relapses.

The prevention of urinary tract infections is through the adoption of some measures:

• enough fluid intake over the day;

• Avoid retaining urine, urinating whenever you feel the need;

• Practicing sex with protection;

• Urinating after sexual intercourse;

• Do not use antibiotics indiscriminately.

For women, other precautions should also be taken, such as:

• Clear is always front to back after using the toilet;

• Wash the perianal region after stool;

• Avoid using for long periods of sanitary napkin;

• Avoid using constant underclothes synthetic fabric.