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Is A Bladder Infection A Uti The Same Thing

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What Is A Uti Anyway

UTI l Urinary Tract Infection & Pyelonephritis Treatment for NCLEX RN & LPN

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, happens when bacteria enters into any part of your urinary system, which includes the urethra, the bladder, the kidneys or the uterus. If not flushed out of the system, the bacteria can lead to an infection, or a UTI.

If youve ever had a UTI , you probably havent forgotten the symptoms. UTIs are very unpleasant, to say the least, and are often accompanied with one or more of the following:

  • A burning sensation when urinating

  • A strong urge to urinate often, usually passing only small amounts of urine at a time.

  • Cloudy and/or strong smelling urine

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A Pharmacist Can Help With Cystitis

You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for cystitis. A pharmacist can:

  • offer advice on things that can help you get better
  • suggest the best painkiller to take
  • tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms

Some pharmacies offer a cystitis management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if they’re needed.

Bladder Infection Is A Specific Type Of Urinary Tract Infection

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. Most cystitis is from bacterial infections involving the bladder and less commonly may be the result of yeast infections, viral infections, chemical irritants of the bladder, or for unknown reasons . Bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection . This review will specifically address infectious cystitis.

The urine in the bladder is normally free of bacteria . However, bacteria may be present in the bladder but not cause inflammation or symptoms of an infection. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria and is not cystitis.

Cystitis can be complicated or uncomplicated. Uncomplicated cystitis is a bladder infection in a healthy person with a structurally and functionally normal urinary tract. A complicated bladder infection is one that occurs in association with factors that increase the chance of developing a bacterial infection and decrease the chance of antibiotic therapy being effective. Such abnormalities include obstruction from stones, congenital blockages, urethral strictures, and prostate enlargement.

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What Causes A Bladder Infection

Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder can cause infections. Typically, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination.

Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of your bladder and multiply quickly. This overwhelms the bodys ability to destroy them, resulting in a bladder infection.

Most bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli . This type of bacteria is naturally present in the large intestines.

  • a frequent sensation of having to urinate, which is called urgency
  • cramping or pressure in your lower abdomen or lower back

When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with an infection in the kidneys. Unlike muscular back pain, this pain will be persistent regardless of your position or activity.

A kidney infection will often cause:

Youll typically feel quite ill. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and require urgent medical attention.

Anyone can get bladder infections, but there are different risks for women and men.

Treatment And Home Remedies

Kidney Stones Blood In Urine But No Pain

UTIs and yeast infections require different treatments.

UTI treatment usually involves antibiotics, which clear up bacterial infections. The class and dosage of antibiotic treatment depend on the type of infection and the persons medical history.

Although symptoms usually go away shortly after a person starts taking antibiotics, they should complete the entire course of medication that the doctor prescribed.

People can treat yeast infections in several different ways. Mild yeast infections may respond to over-the-counter antifungal medications, which are available in the following forms:

OTC antifungal medications are available to purchase in stores or online.

Severe yeast infections might require a prescription-strength antifungal oral tablet called fluconazole.

Although OTC and prescription medications can successfully treat UTIs and yeast infections, some people may choose alternative or natural therapies instead.

Eating natural, unsweetened yogurt that contains Lactobacillus acidophilusmay help prevent yeast infections.

Unsweetened cranberry juice is a common home remedy for UTIs. However, in a 2013 article, researchers reviewed 24 studies and concluded that cranberry juice is less effective than earlier research indicated and that it demonstrates a limited ability to prevent UTIs.

Mild UTIs and yeast infections are easily treatable and may even resolve on their own. However, people should still consult a doctor before attempting to treat either infection at home.

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Urgent Advice: Ask For An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:

You think you or someone else has cystitis and:

  • a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
  • a low temperature, or shaking and shivering
  • pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
  • are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking
  • are feeling or being sick
  • have not had a pee all day
  • blood in your pee

These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection, which can be serious if its not treated as it could cause .

Things You Can Do Yourself

To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :

  • takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
  • you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
  • rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
  • avoid having sex

Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, theres no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

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Uti Or Something Else

Although burning during urination is a telltale sign of a UTI, it can also be a symptom of a number of other problems such as a vaginal yeast infection or certain sexually transmitted diseases . These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Simple lab tests are available to distinguish a UTI from an STD. Interstitial cystitis also has many of the same symptoms as a urinary tract infection. It can happen in both men and women and can start after a UTI. A cystoscopy, a thin tube and camera that is inserted into the bladder, can not diagnosis interstitial cystitis, but it can help identify abnormalities in the badder that cause cystitis.

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How Is Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed

Your Health: Bladder Health and UTIs

In order to ensure a clean urine sample, a physician will likely have you clean your genital area with a special wipe beforehand, and ask that you do a midstream catch of the urine.

If a UTI is diagnosed, youll be treated with antibiotics. Its important to note that false negative results do occur and that almost all women who experience typical UTI symptoms and a negative urine culture actually do have a UTI. 30209-4/fulltext” rel=”nofollow”> 11)

If youve had a prior UTI, your healthcare provider will look at prior cultures to see which bacteria were found, if any, and which antibiotics were used this often guides therapy in recurrent UTIs.

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Causes Of Kidney Infection

A kidney infection usually happens when bacteria, often a type called E. coli, get into the tube that carries urine out of your body .

The bacteria travel up to your bladder, causing cystitis, and then up into your kidneys.

E. coli bacteria normally live in your bowel, where they cause no harm.

They can be transferred from your bottom to your genitals during sex or if youâre not careful when wiping your bottom after going to the loo.

A kidney infection can sometimes develop without a bladder infection. For example, if you have a problem with your kidney, such as kidney stones, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy: Symptoms Treatment And Common Questions

In addition, as the uterus grows throughout pregnancy, it can put pressure on the bladder, making it more difficult to empty completely.

Pregnancy can also make a UTI more difficult to treat, which can have serious consequences, including pyelonephritis preterm labor low birth weight and .

A urinalysis and a urine culture are routinely performed at an initial prenatal visit to screen for UTIs, but if you’re pregnant and suspect you may have an infection, seek medical attention quickly.

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Diagnosing Cystitis And Urinary Tract Infections

First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms. They may also complete urinalysis to determine your diagnosis. This test will look for:

  • PH balance this represents if the urine is acidic or alkaline
  • Glucosesugar levels should remain low in urine output
  • Nitrites a specific bacteria that causes UTIs
  • Protein similar to sugar, proteins are not typically found in urine output

Clinical Characteristics Of Ckp And Hvkp

Is A Uti And Yeast Infection The Same Thing

We isolated a total of 121 K. pneumoniae strains from urine samples of 121 patients with UTIs. The mean age of these patients was 57.53 years . The demographic data of the patients revealed that most patients had underlying diseases, including bacteremia , hypertension , diabetes mellitus , and bladder catheter-related infection .

Table 1 Clinical characteristics and susceptibility of hvKP and cKP isolates.

To evaluate the virulence of these strains, the virulence-associated genes were identified and confirmed using the G. mellonella infection model. Among the 121 K. pneumoniae strains, 30 strains simultaneously carried at least two virulence genes , and the mortality rate of G. mellonella infected with these 30 strains was 50%100%, which was significantly higher than that of those infected with ATCC 700603, suggesting that these strains were hvKP .

Figure 1 Evaluation of the virulence of KP isolates. Using a G. mellonella infection model, we investigated the virulence of 1 × 106 CFU of each KP strain . NTUH-K2044 and ATCC 700603 were used as high- and low-virulence KP controls, respectively. The survival rates of KP7- and KP16-infected G. mellonella were similar with ATCC 700603, while those of KP1, KP8, KP14, KP23, KP28, KP92, and KP110 were similar with NTUH-K2044, indicating that they were hypervirulent.

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What Could Be Mistaken For A Uti

There are several conditions whose symptoms mimic UTIs. Sexually transmitted infections cause symptoms also common in UTIs, such as painful urination and discharge.

Vaginitis, caused by bacteria or yeast, can result in a burning sensation when urinating and similar discomfort that may mimic a UTI.

Often mistaken for a UTI, interstitial cystitis , or painful bladder condition, is a chronic condition affecting the bladder that does not improve with antibiotic treatment. Symptoms of IC include increased urgency and more frequent urination as well as pain in the pelvic area.

Other conditions to rule out are overactive bladder, pregnancy, prostatitis, diabetes, cancer, and kidney stones.

How To Tell If You Have A Bladder Infection Vs Uti

Is there any feeling more horrible than when you start to feel something going wrong âdown there?â Youâve got to pee every two minutes, to the point where you dare not stray more than a few steps from a bathroom but the only thing worse than the constant need to go is the fact that when you do, it hurts! Itâs an all too familiar feeling for many women, but even men get bladder infections, too .

Your first thought, once you feel an infection coming on, is how to stop the pain and discomfort. Do you drink a quart of water, knock back a few glasses of cranberry juice, or see what over-the-counter treatments your local drugstore has to offer? Alternatively, should you make an appointment with your doctor? If you choose this last option, though, you may be wondering, âjust what, exactly, should I tell them is wrong? Do I have a urinary tract infection , or could it be a bladder infection instead?â

Well, as Healthline points out, itâs either one thing, or itâs both. Bladder infections are actually a type of urinary tract infection, but they arenât the only kind.

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Ok Got It But Then What Is A Kidney Infection

A kidney infection is, in essence, a UTI that has spread into the kidneys. While this type of infection is rare, its also very dangerous and if youre experiencing any of the following signs of a kidney infection, you should see a doctor immediately:

  • Upper back or side pain

  • Fever, shaking or chills

  • Feeling nauseous

While most kidney infections can be treated simply with an antibiotic, if left untreated, a kidney infection can cause damage to your kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease. The bacteria could even spread to your bloodstream creating a life-threatening situation.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Bladder Infection Vs A Uti

Urinary Tract Infection – Overview (signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, causes and treatment)

Symptoms can offer clues about whether you’ve got a bladder infection specifically or a UTI somewhere else in your system. Regardless of which type you have, you’re likely to have some or all of the most common UTI symptoms, which MedlinePlus says includes:

  • Pain or burning when you urinate
  • Fever, tiredness, or shakiness
  • An urge to urinate often
  • Pressure in your lower abdomen
  • Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish
  • Pain in your back or side, below the ribs

If you’re dealing with a bladder infection specifically, the CDC says you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Pain or burning when you urinate
  • Frequent urination
  • Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder
  • Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen

Left untreated, a lower UTI or bladder infection can turn into a kidney infection, which the NIDDK says can lead to serious health issues like sepsis, kidney failure, or renal scarring in rare cases. According to the CDC, some common symptoms associated with kidney infections include:

  • Lower back pain or pain in the side of your back
  • Nausea or vomiting

The symptoms you experience with a UTI of any kind are importantthey can help clue your doctor into where the UTI is located, and which type of treatment will work best for your specific case. If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care right away, to help treat what’s going on and prevent any complications.

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Why Utis Should Be Treated Promptly

If a UTI is left untreated, it can continue spreading up the body into one or both of the kidneys. A kidney infection requires prompt medical attention, as it can permanently damage the kidneys or spread bacteria into the bloodstream, causing a life-threatening infection. The faster that you seek treatment for a UTI, the better.

Is A Bladder Infection The Same As A Urinary Tract Infection

Often, the terms UTI and bladder infection are used interchangeably. But there is a distinction to be made between the two.

Bladder infections are a type of UTI, but not all urinary tract infections are bladder infections. A UTI is defined as an infection in one or more places in the urinary tractthe ureters, kidneys, urethra, and/or bladder. A bladder infection is a UTI thats only located in the bladder.

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What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of A Bladder Infection

It is crucial to seek medical care from a healthcare provider if you suspect a bladder infection. Based on your symptoms and laboratory test results , your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate antibiotic. A healthcare provider will also rule out other causes for your symptoms, such as sexually transmitted diseases, which can cause similar symptoms as UTIs. Besides this, you can do several things to speed up your recovery from a bladder infection.

Drink more water

Water helps flush out bacteria from the bladder. It also dilutes the urine and makes urination less uncomfortable.

Dont hold urine

Holding your pee allows bacteria to remain in the bladder and multiply. Frequent urination helps to eliminate the bacteria from the urinary system.

Urinate after sex

Sexual activity can push the bacteria deeper into the urethra in both women and men. Urinating after sex can help flush the bacteria out before they have a chance to settle and cause an infection. Some women with chronic infections may even be advised to take a dose of antibiotics just after intercourse.

Wear loose cotton clothing

In women particularly, tight or synthetic clothing can create a warm and moist environment in the private areas, which is ideal for bacteria to thrive. Loose pants, skirts, and cotton underwear are recommended to promote air circulation and decrease bacterial growth. Change your underwear daily.

Drink cranberry juice

References:

What Are The Causes Of A Uti

Is A Uti And Yeast Infection The Same Thing

A UTI is mainly caused by bacteria, though fungi and viruses can also be the reason. UTIs can be of two typeslower tract infection involving the urethra and bladder, and upper tract infection involving the ureters and the kidneys.

Any factor that can irritate the urinary tract can cause a UTI:

  • Long-term catheter use

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Favorite Sites To Find Docs

SWIU is all about supporting women urologists and the urologic issues that impact women. One of our favorite SWIU perks is their searchable database for prospective patients to find a local female urologist.

An excellent source for overall urinary health info, UCF also offers a tool to help would-be patients find a urologist near them. You can search by zip code, distance, and through eight urinary specialties, including pediatric urology.

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