Know If You Are At Risk of UTI via Annual Medical Checkups

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections that occur more frequently in females, compared to males. Frequent urinary tract infections can be very irritating. People who have gone through it know how painful and terrible it is. So, make sure to check if you are at risk of UTI via annual medical checkups regularly. However, you must learn what can cause urinary tract infections before knowing the significance of diagnosis.

Why do you get urinary tract infections?

Usually, urine does not contain any bacteria or germs. The bacteria from outside the urinary tract enter it via the urethra and get multiplied in the bladder. It will ultimately cause inflammation, which is called urinary tract infection. This infection can occur in the bladder (cystitis), kidneys (pyelonephritis), or the urethra (urethritis). UTI can turn out to be serious if it disseminates to the kidneys. Frequent urinary tract infection occurs more commonly in women than men.

What can cause urinary tract infections?

Among women

Urinary tract infections occur frequently in women occur due to the following reasons –

• Urine gets excreted from the bladder through the urethra. Since the urethra is located nearby the anus, there is a huge possibility of the invasion of bacteria from the large intestine into the urethral region during excretion. Once the bacteria enter the urethral region, they may even reach the urinary bladder, causing UTI. If this infection is left untreated, it can spread to the kidneys, which may lead to life-threatening consequences.
• Usually, the female’s urethral size is shorter than in men. Hence, it will be easier for the bacteria to enter the urinary bladder quickly making women prone to frequent urinary tract infections.
• Sexual intercourse
• The use of spermicides, antibacterial vagina douches, and oral antibiotics can bring significant changes in vaginal bacteria count, causing UTI

Among the elder population

The probability of urinary tract infection among the elders is higher, due to the following reasons:

• Vaginal change during menopause
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder due to various medical ailments
• Bladder prolapse or its dislocation from the original position
• Enlarged prostate

What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections?

To know if you are having a urinary tract infection, you may experience the following symptoms

• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent need to urinate, although the amount is less
• Painful urination
• Urine leakage
• Pain in the abdomen or pelvic area
• Strong or foul smell in urine
• Cloudy color urine
• Occurrence of blood in the urine
• Fever and chills
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Pain in the penis
• Confusion or changes in mental state
• Painful intercourse

Are there any complications in association with urinary tract infections?

If treated on time, UTIs do not lead to any complications in general. In case it’s left untreated, you may experience complications like –

• Recurrence of infection, mainly in women
• Narrowing of the urethra in men due to frequent urinary tract infection
• Higher risk of delivering premature babies
• Permanent kidney damage due to the spreading of the infection to the kidneys (pyelonephritis)
• Sepsis, which is life-threatening complications

Is it possible to diagnose urinary tract infections?

Yes. To diagnose whether you are having a urinary tract infection, the clinician will recommend the following tests that include –

• Urine analysis for red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria
• Urine culture test to determine the type of bacteria present in urine

In case you are having a recurrent infection, the clinician might recommend –

• Ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to check for any abnormality in the urinary tract
• The cystoscope, involves the insertion of a long thin tube with a lens, to see the internal region of the urethra and bladder

Seek an annual physical examination near you

In case you would like to undergo an annual physical examination, schedule an appointment with CareFirst 360 right away. With regular annual medical check-ups, it’s possible to determine whether you are at risk of UTI so that our team will recommend the appropriate treatment that works for you.