Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), commonly known as Urine Infection, is one of the most common yet unaddressed issues especially amongst females. In Pakistan, the percentage of UTI patients ranges from 23 to 43 per cent according to research. You! takes a look...
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John L. Brusch, in his article published on Medscape, writes, “Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) have been well studied in Sweden and other parts of Europe. These studies have shown that 1 in 5 adult women experience a UTI at some point, confirming that it is an exceedingly common worldwide problem... An uncomplicated UTI is more common in women than men.” Another general study conducted by WHO suggested that an estimated 50 per cent women report UTI at some point in their life which means that 1 in 5 adult women experience the infection. In Pakistan, the percentage of UTI patients ranges from 23 to 43 per cent according to urologists and physicians.
Even after acknowledging the symptoms, people, especially in Asian countries, tend to solve health problems through home remedies or do not pay enough attention to the issue, however, some infections and diseases need immediate medical attention, UTI (uncomplicated or complicated) being one of them for it can leave adverse effects if not given proper medical attention.
“I had often heard my mom complaining about burning while passing urine but she used to add milk and water together and she would feel better in a day. When I experienced the same issue, I did the same home remedy, however, in two hours blood started coming in my urine and I was shivering with chills. After consulting the doctor, I found out that the infection had reached my bladder,” recounts Anum, a 26 years old girl.
UTI is a term that everyone is familiar with, however, due to lack of knowledge and awareness regarding the infection, individuals often under-estimate the issue which inevitably cause harmful long-term side effects on their health. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), commonly known as Urine Infection, is one of the most common yet unaddressed issues especially amongst females. Likely to house itself in the lower urinary tract, the infection is more prone in females due to the autonomic short distance between the urethra and the anus, which creates a short pathway for the bacteria to easily enter the urinary tract system. However, it does not mean that males are resistant to UTI, but due to their autonomic long distance between the urethra and anus, the chances are less as compared to that of females.UTI can occur in any part of the urinary system which includes kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. This infection is caused due to a range of bacteria and pathogens that includes E-Coli, Proteus, Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Serratia amongst which the bacterium E-Coli is the most common pathogen.
The research conducted by JPMA (Journal of Pakistan Medical Association) in Jan 2010 (Vol 60, issue 1) states that, uncomplicated urinary tract infections are common in adult women across the entire age spectrum, with means annual incidents of 15 and 10 per cent in those aged 15-39 and 40-79 years, respectively. Another research suggested, “Over 2 years, 9892 mid-stream urine samples were cultured from the Aga Khan Hospital. Significant bacterial growth was seen in 23.5 per cent samples, further identification revealed 40 per cent of E-coli...” (Vol 39, Issue 5).
Hazoora Sheikh, a senior gynaecologist, mentions how it’s not just about people having less knowledge about UTI, but also about the culture of practicing home remedies. Granted they are effective to some extent but to treat harmful infections, one has to take prescribed medicines. An uncomplicated UTI might go away with home remedies, but how would one be sure about the diagnosis without consulting a trained practitioner first. The doctor also warned that the infection should not be taken lightly in any age or period. If it occurs during your first pregnancy, chances are that it will reoccur in every pregnancy.
Moreover, the scribe reached out to the Ex-District Health Officer, Korangi, Dr Aziz Baloch to find more about the UTI. Answering one of the questions, he stated, “Obstruction of urine is not always a UTI; a high blood pressure patient may also face urine obstruction, Gonorrhea (a sexually transmitted infection) affected patients may also have the same symptoms as of a UTI, but the treatment of Gonorrhea is different. Yet, a lot of doctors in small clinics do not understand this and start treating the patient without reaching the core issue, which can be another health problem that lengthens the illness.”
Dr Aziz Baloch further explained, “There are 12 to 15 per cent patients, including men and women, with a complaint of burning sensation in urine, pain or frequent urge to pass the urine. Doctors cannot diagnose without a proper examination via urine culture (Urine CR) and a urine detailed report (Urine DR). If a urine infection is detected, then the doctor can head towards medication in retrospect of the patient’s condition and the severity of the infection.”
If the symptoms have already started to appear, one should immediately go for a Urine Culture and Urine Detailed Report, advised by a senior urologist, Doctor Hamza Nadeem. For temporary relief, cranberry juice or citralka can be used whilst in order to flush out the bacteria, plenty of water should be consumed. Lastly, no medication should be taken without consultation first, Dr Nadeem concludes.
