Complications of urinary tract infections if not handled completely

The danger of urinary tract infections (UTIs) can lurk anyone, especially women and pregnant women. In mild cases, urinary tract infections are accompanied by wasting symptoms, pain when urinating, or even blood in the urine.

If not treated immediately, urinary tract infections can also cause dangerous complications for the body.

Complications form urinary tract infections if left untreated

If left untreated and not completely treated, urinary tract infections can spread and interfere with the health of other organs. Here are some of the complications and dangers of one of these urological system diseases.

1. Recurrent infection

The most common complication felt by patients with urinary tract infections is the recurrence of the disease at a later date. Mostly, these recurrent infections occur in women. This is triggered by sexual intercourse and using spermicide or contraception which functions to kill sperm cells.

Penetration can increase the number of bacteria in the bladder, coupled with the use of spermicide which also kills the good bacteria in the vagina called Lactobacilli, both of which will further make bacteria. E. coli easier to move.

2. Kidney damage

The kidneys are organs that help the body filter the body's metabolic waste and excrete it through urine. Untreated UTIs can affect kidney function.

It should be noted that UTI is divided into two, namely upper and lower tract infections. Lower tract infections affect the bladder and urethral tract, the tubes that carry urine outside the body.

If left untreated, complications of this lower urinary tract infection can continue and trigger the spread of bacteria E. colithe cause of urinary tract infection rises to the kidneys. This fatal impact continues from an infection called pyelonephritis to damage to the kidneys.

Untreated kidney infection can progress to other diseases in the body's excretory system (urology) such as kidney failure, chronic kidney disease, increased blood pressure, and whole body infection (sepsis).

3. Bacteremia

Bacteremia is a condition in which a bacterial infection has spread to the bloodstream. Apart from urinary tract infections, this condition can also be caused by other problems such as skin infections, indigestion, pneumonia, or side effects of surgery.

Symptoms are similar to those of a common infection, including fever, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, a red rash, and shortness of breath. However, the symptoms can get worse at a later date.

Bacteremia is of course very dangerous, because infected blood will flow to other organs such as the kidneys, brain and lungs. If left untreated, the infection will damage these organs.

4. Sepsis

The body will fight back to protect other organs when infection occurs. In some cases, one of the complications that arise due to urinary tract infections is triggering sepsis. This occurs when the body overreacts to fight an infection.

Sepsis can trigger inflammation that spreads and affects other organs. This causes too much antibody to be produced and eventually enters the blood. As a result, blood was poisoned. When that happens, the body is deprived of oxygen and nutrients, so the organs cannot work optimally.

The effects of sepsis that can occur include fever, increased heart rate, shortness of breath, and increased white blood cells.

5. Urosepsis

One type of sepsis, namely urosepsis, is a complication that can arise due to urinary tract infections. Called urosepsis because of its impact on the urinary system or urology.

Yrosepsis occurs because the infection stimulates the body to produce excess antibodies. As a result, antibodies leak into the blood vessels around the urinary organs.

Urosepsis can be life-threatening. Even after receiving treatment, infections can still develop and are difficult to control.

6. Hydronephrosis

Hydronephrosis (swollen kidneys) is a disease in the form of swelling of one or both kidneys due to incomplete emptying of the urinary tract. Hydronephrosis can also appear as a possible complication due to UTI.

Symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually. Some of the things you will feel if you suffer from this disease are sudden pain in the side or back, nausea, pain when urinating, and fever caused by a bacterial infection.

Symptoms also depend on how severe the blockage is in the urinary tract.

Hydronephrosis must be treated immediately because urine obstruction can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure. If it has already happened, you will need to undergo dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.

7. Urethral stricture

Urethral stricture occurs when an injury or inflammation makes the urethral tube that carries urine out of the body narrower. Sores or inflammation can be caused by urinary tract infections and can later lead to various urination problems.

Urethral strictures will make it difficult for you to urinate. Inflammatory wounds will block the passage of urine. In addition, urine flow becomes weaker. In some cases, bloody urine is also experienced as one of the symptoms.

If the wound is severe, the urine may become completely blocked and not be able to drain at all. If this condition known as urinary retention occurs, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Most urethral strictures occur in male patients, this is because men have a urethra that is longer than women.

8. Pregnancy problems

Urinary tract infections are also commonly experienced by pregnant women. If urinary tract infections are left untreated, the dangers of complications lurk the health of both the mother and the unborn baby. The reason is, bacteria E. coli from the anus can easily spread to the urethra to the bladder.

UTIs are often experienced by pregnant women because the baby in the stomach puts pressure on the bladder and urinary tract. Therefore, pregnant women often experience urine leakage due to weakened pelvic muscles. This condition also makes it easier for bacteria to settle in the bladder.

Women also experience physical changes during pregnancy, such as a wider urinary tract. This condition causes urine to be trapped in the urethra longer and allows bacteria to grow.

Besides being able to result in kidney infection, UTI can lead to preterm birth. BacteriaE. coli in UTI also increases the risk of death in newborns and premature babies.

Prevent UTIs before it's too late

After knowing the dangers of complications from urinary tract infections, of course it would be better for you to prevent them than to have to treat them.

Actually, how to prevent urinary tract infections is quite easy. You can do this by drinking lots of water to minimize the development of bacteria. In addition, at least you need to fill your fluid intake by 8 glasses per day.

To keep the urinary tract healthy and avoid the dangers of UTIs, you can also take cranberry extract supplements. Cranberries are useful for preventing UTI-causing bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.

Drinking lots of water is like "washing" the urinary tract of bacteria that cause UTIs. This is an efficient and effective way before a bacterial infection of the urinary tract interferes with your daily activities.