A Slice of range V o l u m e
R
E
F
R
E
1
S
I s s u e
H
I
N
G
Y
3
O
M a y
U
R
H
E
2 0 0 7
A
L
T
H
Welcome to the third issue of A Slice of Orange, a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health. This issue is dedicated to a common condition that afflicts women – urinary tract infection.
A simple guide to UTI What exactly is a urinary tract infection?
A
urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in your urinary system. All of the parts of the urinary system – the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra – can be infected, but most UTIs are limited to the urethra and bladder. Urine is normally “clean” because it’s free of microbes; when it’s healthy, the urinary system can usually fight off infection. Despite mechanisms that prevent infection, UTI can still happen due to certain factors. Germs cling to the opening of the urethra and multiply, leading to infection. When the infection is in the urethra, it’s called urethritis. If the infection moves up and reaches the bladder, it’s called cystitis. Even further up, UTI that involves the kidney is called pyelonephritis.
Kidney Ureter
Bladder Urethra
Male
Female
A quick look at the urinary system The urinary system consists of a pair of kidneys, ureters, a bladder and a urethra. The kidneys remove waste from blood to form urine (among other functions). Each of the ureters carries urine from the kidney to the bladder, which is in the lower abdomen. Urine is stored in the bladder until it has to be excreted through the urethra.
V o l u m e
1
I s s u e
3
M a y
2 0 0 7
What are the common symptoms of UTI?
Are some people more likely to get UTI than others?
Some people with UTI don’t even know they have it, but others have unmistakable symptoms, which include:
Women are more likely to contract UTI than men (see below to find out why); up to half of all women will develop a bladder infection over their lifetime. Also, women who are sexually active are more at risk because intercourse can force germs into the urethra. In men, urethritis is often the result of bacteria acquired through sex (most of these UTIs in men are caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia).
• • • • •
An almost uncontrollable urge to urinate A burning sensation while urinating Urinating frequently but passing out only small amounts Cloudy or foul-smelling urine Blood in the urine
If you have pyelonephritis, you may also have back pain, fever, and nausea and vomiting. Cystitis may lead to lower abdominal discomfort or pelvic pressure. In men, urethritis may cause penile discharge.
Other risk factors are: • Pregnancy and menopause • Enlarged prostate in men • Kidney stones • Diabetes or other illnesses that lower resistance to infections • Medications that lower immunity (e.g., chemotherapy or steroids) • Immobility (e.g., when recovering from a hip fracture) • Prolonged use of urinary catheters (tubes inserted in the urethra)
A sexist infection? Why women are more prone to UTI • • •
Women have a shorter urethra, so it’s easier for bacteria to travel from the outside to the bladder. The anus is so close to the female urethra; bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract (like E. coli) can cause UTI. The vagina is also close to the urethra, so sexually transmitted infections can lead to UTI.
V o l u m e
How do I know for sure if I have UTI? If you suspect you have UTI, go to your doctor as soon as possible. You will be asked to submit a urine sample. Your urine will be examined in the laboratory (urinalysis) for pus, red blood cells or bacteria. Your doctor will interpret the lab results to determine the next step. In some cases, your urine will have to be cultured to determine the specific type of microbe causing the infection.
What is the treatment for UTI? Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if you have UTI. The type of drug and duration of treatment depends on the kind of UTI you have. Your symptoms will usually clear up after a few days, but make sure to take the drugs until you finish the whole course
1
recommended by your doctor. Don’t worry though – uncomplicated UTIs can be treated by a 3-day course of antibiotics so it won’t take too long. Recurrent UTIs may need longer antibiotic courses. If you are prone to UTIs, your doctor may recommend taking antibiotics more regularly for prevention. If you don’t treat UTI, it can lead to pyelonephritis, which could cause permanent damage to your kidneys. If your UTI occurs too frequently, you may be referred to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) or a urologist (a surgeon who specializes in the urinary system or male urogenital tract).
Is there a way to prevent UTIs? The following suggestions may help women in particular: • Drink lots of fluids – water is the best! • After using the toilet, wipe from front to back. This prevents the bacteria from the anus from spreading to the urethra. • Urinate when you first feel the urge. • Urinate after sexual intercourse. • Avoid using irritating feminine products, such as douches and powders.
I s s u e
3
M a y
2 0 0 7
Know how to take a good urine sample
Your urinalysis or urine culture results may be inaccurate if you didn’t collect your urine properly. You don’t want your urine sample to be contaminated by bacteria that are normally present in the urethra.
Here’s how to take a “clean-catch” urine specimen: • Men should wipe clean their penis head; women need to wipe between the labia with soapy water and rinse well. • Urinate first into the toilet bowl to clear the urethra. • Without stopping the flow of urine, collect a midstream sample in a clean or sterile container. • Remove the container from the urine stream, also without stopping the flow.
A slice of trivia What kind of juice may help prevent UTI? Freshen up on your researching skills, send us the answer at orange@activelink-consult.com and win a prize! From those with the correct answer, 20 people will be randomly chosen to win a copy of the June issue of HealthToday.
We’ll include the answer in the next issue of A Slice of Orange.
screening tool to identify possible weight problems?
Answer to last issue’s question:
Body mass index or BMI is a reliable indicator of fatness. It’s computed as body weight (in kilograms) divided by the square of height (in meters) – of course, there are a lot of BMI calculators online to make your life easier! BMI does not
What is the three-word term that refers to an indirect measure of body fat based on height and weight that applies to adults, and is used as a
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelink-consult.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2007 ActiveLink Employee Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink Insurance Brokers, Inc. 104 VA Rufino Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, 1229 Philippines T: +632 817 4606 / 817 7900 www.activelink-consult.com
measure body fat directly, but research has shown that BMI correlates to direct measures of body fat. In Asians, normal BMI is 18.5 to 22.9, overweight is ≥23 and obese is >25.
The Orang e wants to h ear from you!
Dying to ask us your health related questio ns? Itching to share your pe rsonal health tips? Want to sugg est topics for future issues? Feel fre e to contact us . You can e-mai l our team at orange@activ elink-consult.co m.