Urinary Tract Infection Incontinence

Urinary tract infections are infections that happen in the urinary tract. This area of the body includes the bladder, the kidneys, ureters (tubes from the kidney to the bladder) and the urethra (the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside). The infections are caused by a variety of different bacteria but the symptoms are generally the same.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection includes itching and burning at the opening to the urethra, burning with urination, fever, feelings of frequency and urgency to urinate, pain with urination and a general overall feeling of being sick. Some people dont get any symptoms of an infection but most get at least one or two. If the infection progresses to the kidneys the symptoms can include a higher fever, nausea, vomiting and back pain.

Another symptom that is common is incontinence. Incontinence means that the individual isnt able to hold the urine until they reach the bathroom. This symptom is related to the feelings of urgency and frequency that are common with a urinary tract infection.

Incontinence can be an episode when the individual loses all of the urine stored in their bladder or where they lose just drops as they rush to the bathroom. And incontinence can be caused by issues other than urinary tract infections.

In the case of adults urinary incontinence can be caused by over hydration and the bladder filling quickly. Alcohol or caffeine, both diuretics, can cause the bladder to fill quickly or drinking lots of soda or water can do the same thing. Other reasons for incontinence includes dehydration. In this case the concentration of salts and minerals in the urine can irritate the bladder causing the feelings of urgency and the resulting incontinence.

Medications can also cause an irritation of the urethra or bladder and result in incontinence. The bladder irritation can be the result of other illnesses or diseases which your practitioner should evaluate. In some instances people who are suffering from undiagnosed diabetes will have an unquenchable thirst and resulting increased amount of urine. This can cause rapid bladder filling and some incontinence.

In children, constipation can sometimes cause incontinence and urgency. As the colon fills with stool it takes up the space that is normally taken by the bladder. As the bladder fills it has nowhere to expand to and the child feels urgency and frequency, sometimes losing control.

Urinary tract infections incontinence is easily diagnosed and treated by your practitioner. A rapid urine test in the office will tell the practitioner that there is an infection at which time youll be started on a broad spectrum antibiotic. The urine will be sent out for a culture to determine which bacteria is causing the problem and which antibiotic is best used to solve the problem.

If the current antibiotic isnt appropriate for the bacteria then the practitioner will prescribe another one to cover the bacteria sufficiently. Once the antibiotics are prescribed it will be another two or three days before the individual will feel relief. In that time the practitioner may prescribe Peridium which is medication that will calm the irritation of the bladder and decrease the incontinence. It also has the side effect of turning the urine orange.

With good care, diagnosis and early treatment individuals shouldnt have to suffer for lengthy periods from incontinence caused by urinary tract infections.