Urinary Tract Infection: Causes & Symptoms
Urinary Tract Infection is extremely common in women and affects part of the urinary tract. Although women can get a UTI at any point in their life, pregnant women are more prone to suffer from a UTI or Urinary Tract Infection since a woman’s body undergoes many changes in pregnancy. A Urinary Tract Infection is characterized by inflammation of the urinary tract which is caused due to bacteria. At times, it might also be caused due to certain viruses or fungi.
Causes of Urinary Tract Infection
#1. Incomplete emptying of the bladder
During pregnancy, various changes occur in the urinary tract of a woman. The uterus is situated right on top of the bladder and as the uterus starts to grow, it exerts a lot of pressure on the bladder. This blocks the urine from getting drained from the bladder completely and microorganisms are able to flourish.This can lead to an infection.
#2. Frequent urine sensation
When you get frequent urine sensations and are able to pass just a few drops of urine, some drops get spilled on your underpants. When these wet underpants come in contact with your skin, it can lead to an infection.
#3. Using dirty toilets
Using dirty toilets at home or in public areas is one of the major reasons for a UTI. Most of the times, a public toilet is unclean as people do not use it wisely and has urine and all kinds of germs on it. A western toilet seat often has urine spilled on it and when a person sits on this, all the germs get transferred to their body. Sitting on a dirty western toilet seat is an open invitation to microbes.
#4. Drinking less water
Drinking very less water is another cause of urinary tract infection. When you drink less water, all the toxins do not get removed from your body, thus causing inflammation and infection in the urinary tract.
What are the Symptoms of UTI?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you are most probably suffering from a Urinary Tract Infection:
- Burning sensation during urination
- Pain while urinating
- Frequent urine sensation
- Pain while having sex
- Frequent visits to the washroom
- Presence of mucus or blood in urine
- Pain and/or cramps in the lower abdomen
- Foul-smelling and cloudy or dark-colored urine
- Too much or too little urine
- Fever and chills
- Leaking of urine
- Pain and tenderness in the bladder area
- Back pain, nausea, and vomiting
How can you detect a UTI?
If you’re experiencing the above symptoms, consult your gynecologist immediately so that he/she can get a urine culture and a urinalysis done in order to detect the infection and start the medication.
UTI and Pregnancy
If you do not get yourself treated for a urinary tract infection, it can lead to an acute kidney infection, which can lead to premature labor and low birth weight in the baby. A UTI must be treated timely and properly to save the unborn baby and the mother from any complications.
Treating a UTI during Pregnancy
Most of the times a UTI can be treated with a course of antibiotics that are prescribed for a period of 3-7 days. Usually, the infection subsides in 3 days but that doesn’t happen, you can contact your doctor for further advice.
The antibiotics must be taken for the prescribed time even if the symptoms go away in order to prevent the infection from relapsing. Your gynecologist will only prescribe antibiotics that are considered to be safe during pregnancy. If you experience any side effects such as fever, chills, nausea or vomiting after taking the medicine, contact your doctor immediately.
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