Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common causes of urological diseases. A UTI can develop anywhere in the urinary tract, such as the bladder, urethra, or kidneys.
How is a urinary tract infection diagnosed?
If you suspect you have a UTI, you should visit your doctor. They may perform some of the following procedures to prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic for your case2:
- Urine sample analysis: You will be asked for a urine sample to be analyzed in the laboratory to check for the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, or bacteria.
- Culturing of urinary tract bacteria in a laboratory: After the analysis, a culture is performed to identify the bacteria causing the infection.
- Imaging of the urinary tract: If you have recurrent infections, your doctor may request an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to rule out anatomical problems of the urinary tract.
What antibiotics are available to treat urinary tract infections? 3
Antibiotics can come in capsule, tablet, and liquid form. In special cases, they can be administered intravenously.
Today, there are many types of antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections; the most common are:
- Fosfomycin: This is a single-dose antibiotic usually indicated for cystitis, especially in non-pregnant women without urinary tract abnormalities.
- Nitrofurantoin: This antibiotic is typically used for acute urinary tract infections and for the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women.
- Sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim: This combination is usually indicated for urinary tract infections caused by susceptible microorganisms, for example, in cases of cystitis.
- Amoxicillin + clavulanate: This is an alternative for the treatment of urinary tract infections. It is generally used when other antibiotics cannot be used.
- Ciprofloxacin: An antibiotic usually indicated for more severe cases of urinary tract infection, such as pyelonephritis, people with urinary catheters, or urinary tract malformations.
- Ceftriaxone: This antibiotic is administered intravenously or intramuscularly and is often used in cases of severe urinary infections like pyelonephritis.
The most common side effects of taking antibiotics for urinary tract infections are:
Diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, discomfort, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, skin redness, body itching.
To enhance the effect of acidophilic antibiotics, supplements containing L-Methionine and phytate can be used as they improve the activity of the following antibiotics: Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Cefotaxime, Cephalothin, Cefazolin, Ceftazidime, Piperacillin, Ampicillin, Nitrofurantoin, Fosfomycin, and Methenamine hippurate.
How long does a urinary tract infection last?
The length of time a UTI can last depends on each person and the type of treatment. Although in many cases you may start to feel relief within a couple of days after antibiotic treatment, it is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed. 1
Is there a permanent cure for urinary tract infections?
There is no permanent cure for UTIs, but there are measures you can take to prevent them:
- Drink a minimum of 2 liters of water daily.
- Try to empty your bladder completely every time you urinate. Take your time!
- Try to urinate and clean yourself after sexual intercourse.
- If you frequently have recurrent UTIs, there are supplements that combine L-methionine and phytate to create a toxic environment for some bacteria.
- If you are a woman, remember to wipe from front to back every time you use the bathroom.
- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing that keeps the skin dry in the urethral area.
- After menopause, women can also benefit from using estrogen around the vagina4
SOURCES:
*1 https://www.singlecare.com/es/recursos/tratamiento-y-medicamentos-para-infeccion-urinaria
*2https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353453
*3 https://www.tuasaude.com/es/antibiotico-para-infeccion-urinaria/
*4 https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000521.html
