Chronic urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition that affects the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and tubes such as the ureters and urethra. Anyone can become infected and can cause pain and inconvenience. However, urinary tract infections can be treated and prevented.
What is a chronic urinary tract infection?
Chronic urinary tract infections occur when attacks recur and the condition does not respond to conventional treatments such as antibiotics. These infections can lead to life-threatening kidney-related complications and sepsis.
For men, urethral stricture may occur if they suffer from frequent bladder infections. Recurrent urinary tract infections in women may lead to pregnancy complications such as premature birth and low birth weight.
Symptoms of chronic urinary tract infection
There are two types of urinary tract infections: lower urinary tract infections, which occur in the bladder or urethra; and upper urinary tract infections, which occur in the ureters or kidneys and can be dangerous if not treated promptly.
If you have a lower-grade UTI, you may experience:
- Want to urinate: You may experience an increased need to urinate that won’t go away, leaving your bladder feeling like it takes forever to empty.
- Increase frequency: You may also have a sudden, uncontrollable urge to use the bathroom more than usual.
- Urine changes: The smell and color of your urine may change, becoming foul-smelling or cloudy. Sometimes, there may be blood inside.
- Feeling drowsy: Some people also experience fatigue and discomfort.
- pain: Women with urinary tract infections can also experience pelvic pain.
For an upper urinary tract infection, symptoms may include:
- fever: You may have a fever, followed by shakes and chills.
- pain: Back and hip pain are common.
- exhausted: You may feel sick, tired, confused, and restless.
Upper urinary tract infections must be treated immediately because bacteria can damage the blood if left untreated.
Risk factors for chronic urinary tract infection
This infection can happen to anyone, but some people are more susceptible to recurring urinary tract infections. These include:
- female: Approximately 50%-60% of women will suffer from a urinary tract infection at least once in their lifetime. Recurrent urinary tract infections are more common in pregnant women and women who use diaphragms for birth control.
- Sexually active people: People who have sex regularly and those who use spermicides are also at higher risk.
- People with sexually transmitted diseases: These diseases can cause infection and lead to chronic bladder infections.
- People with medical conditions: People with medical conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and prostate enlargement are also more likely to develop recurrent urinary tract infections.
- People who have recently had medical procedures: People who have received a kidney transplant or have a urinary catheter may be more likely than others to develop a urinary tract infection.
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic urinary tract infection
If you suspect a urinary tract infection, your doctor will first ask about your symptoms and medical history. If symptoms are strong, they can diagnose a urinary tract infection immediately. In some cases, the doctor may also order a urine test, ultrasound, or CT scan for further investigation. For pregnant women, urine testing is one of their routine examinations.
Once diagnosed, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection, painkillers to relieve pain, and phenazopyridine to relieve the burning sensation in your urethra.
Doctors may also recommend prophylactic antibiotics and hormonal medications for menopausal women.
Have a chronic urinary tract infection
Chronic urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable and exhausting, but they are preventable if you make some lifestyle changes. Here are eight adjustments you can make:
- Drink more water: Make sure to stay hydrated to ensure healthy urine.
- Avoid missing bathroom breaks: Holding in your urine can lead to a variety of health problems.
- Urinating immediately after intercourse: This keeps the area clean and free of bacteria.
- Choose other contraceptives: Women can choose from intrauterine devices, vaginal rings, medications, and injections to replace the diaphragm. Men can use condoms instead of spermicide.
- Wipe from front to back: Wiping from back to front can drag bacteria from the anus to the urethra.
- Use pad: Women can avoid recurring urinary tract infections by using pads to keep the area dry and clean.
- Breathable material: Choose cotton and loose-fitting clothing rather than tight nylon clothing.
- Clean genitals with water only: Soap can make your condition worse, so only use water to clean your genitals.
- Take probiotics regularly: Taking probiotics daily is a safe and effective intervention to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections.
A healthy lifestyle can prevent chronic urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections can be devastating and bothersome. In most cases, lifestyle changes and following your doctor’s recommendations can prevent UTIs from recurring.
