A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common and often painful condition that many people, especially women, will experience in their lifetime. On this page we’ll explore how it can be prevented and treated, and how it is related to incontinence.
The most common type of UTI is a Lower Urinary Tract Infection, and it is located in the urethra and bladder. Such an infection to the bladder is also called cystitis.
If the bacteria have high virulence and are left untreated they can spread up through the ureters to one, or both kidneys. If that happens the symptoms will get considerably worse with e.g. back pain, nausea and fever. This type of infection is called an Upper UTI or pyelonephritis and can potentially damage the kidneys, or even cause kidney failure. Sometimes a pyelonephritis can occur without starting with a UTI, but that is not as common. In some cases, the infection in the kidneys can also spread to the blood stream, causing urosepsis, which requires immediate intensive care.
People with low immune response and diabetes, as well as elderly people, especially those with dementia, may have very vague and seemingly unrelated symptoms of an ongoing UTI, which makes it difficult to recognize an infection. Symptoms can be general weakness of their condition, confusion, nausea, dizziness, sudden incontinence or a greater severity of incontinence, for example. It is important to know what is normal for these particular patients or residents and recognise changes. An accurate diagnosis is essential to exclude other conditions that could cause the vague symptoms.
It’s important to recognize the earliest signs of UTI for a speedy diagnosis and treatment, particularly for frail elderly people who may show fewer symptoms and suffer more severely. This requires observational and communicative skills from the carer, or nurse, in day-to-day contact.
Asymptomatic Bacteriuria, also referred to as "friendly" bacteria, in the urinary tract, is a harmless condition that should not be treated with antibiotics. These bacteria will show no symptoms except for smelly urine in some people. This means that a positive dipstick test (nitrite and/or leucocytes) doesn’t prove that there is an ongoing UTI if there are no other symptoms.
Dehydration can also cause dark, cloudy and smelly urine. So, make sure that residents or patients are properly hydrated.
UTIs can affect any person at any age but certain groups are at greater risk.
The main reason women are more susceptible to getting a UTI has to do with the female anatomy. The urethra, is shorter than in a man, and it is also close to the anus from where bacteria can invade the urinary tract. In women, oestrogen hormone levels also decline with age. This can cause the walls of the urinary tract to become thinner and dryer. The protective mucous membrane, or mucosa, also becomes less acidic which reduces its ability to fight off infection. This is why oestrogen hormone treatment is recommended to prevent UTIs.
Other example of people at risk of getting UTIs are the elderly, people with diabetes mellitus, a person with an indwelling catheter, and residents and patients.
Not being able to empty the bladder properly can increase the risk of a UTI since bacteria can grow in the remaining urine. Some causes for residual urine are constipation, outflow obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate or a prolapse, spinal cord injury and nerve damage which interferes with the normal function of the urinary tract.
Urinary incontinence is more common as we age and in connection with other medical conditions. The combination of age and various health issues can also contribute to a higher risk of a UTI. Some examples include inability to completely empty the bladder, reduced immune defence functions, and chronic illnesses. Bowel incontinence is another factor that increases the risk of a UTI.
A full diagnosis is made by a physician. They will base this on urine test results and on symptoms of the infection. If an Upper or Lower UTI has been diagnosed and treatment is needed, the doctor will decide which antibiotic to prescribe and at what dosage.
If the diagnose is Asymptomatic Bacteriuria (ASB), where the only symptom is smelly urine, no treatment will be required in most cases. There are some exceptions though, such as ASB in children or pregnant women and where there are urea-producing bacteria (stone forming bacteria). In these situations, these people will be prescribed with antibiotics.
How can symptoms of an ongoing UTI be relieved?
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