It hurts when I pee, why?

What is a urinary tract infection and why should I be worried? Photo: AFP

May Lee, a 45-year-old mother of two, is feeling depressed and miserable.

The constant bouts of urinary tract infections (UTIs) have really impacted and restricted her daily activities. She feels the sudden urge to pee, but when she does go, only a few drops appear.

Another example of someone suffering from a UTI is 32-year-old Audrey Williams, who feels like she is passing shards of glass each time she visits the toilet.

She has no social life whatsoever. She shies away from going out unnecessarily because it’s just so inconvenient to be constantly looking for a toilet, and the pain she’s afflicted with is almost unbearable.

55-year-old Nur Aida finds it difficult being intimate with her husband because she feels uncomfortable when she has a UTI, and even when she doesn’t, just knowing that intercourse can trigger an infection reduces her sexual desire.

You may be experiencing the same symptoms as May, Audrey or Nur Aida.

There is no reason to agonize or feel embarrassed when you have a UTI.

Research shows that UTIs are more common than we think.

They are the second most common type of infection in the body, accounting for about nine million visits to healthcare providers yearly in the United States alone.

The only condition patients visit the doctor more often for are respiratory tract infections like the common cold.

What is the urinary tract?

The urinary tract is where the body makes and gets rid of urine. It’s made up of the kidneys – two bean-shaped organs, about the size of your fists – that make urine out of waste materials from the blood; the ureters – tubes that run from the kidney to the bladder; the bladder – where urine is stored until we go to the toilet; and the urethra – the tube from the bladder through which urine leaves the body.

A UTI develops when part of the urinary tract becomes infected, usually by bacteria. About 80-90% of bacterial UTIs is caused by E. coli.

Bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the urethra, or more rarely, through the bloodstream.

A weakened immune system can also predispose you to having a UTI.

The lifetime risk of getting a UTI as a woman is greater than 50%. Nearly one in three women will have had at least one episode of UTI requiring antimicrobial therapy by the age of 24.

Approximately 20-30% of women who have experienced a UTI will have a repeat episode.

Risk factors for developing UTI

While anyone can get UTIs, some people are more at risk of getting this disease.

Women are more likely than men to have a UTI for various reasons:

• The structure of the female urinary tract – Women tend to get UTIs because their urethra is fairly short and straight (3.8cm compared to 20.32cm in men), making it easier for bacteria to travel into the bladder.

Also, a woman’s urethral opening is near sources of bacteria from the anus and vagina.

• Hormonal changes – For some women, a UTI can be related to hormone changes.

Some are more likely to get UTIs during certain times of their menstrual cycle (when their oestrogen is lower, such as just before menstruation), during pregnancy and after menopause.

• Pregnancy – During pregnancy, the drainage system from the kidney to the bladder widens, thus urine does not drain as quickly.

This increases the risk of getting UTI, and sometimes bacteria can move from the bladder to the kidney, causing a kidney infection.

Sign and symptoms

Not everyone with a UTI develops symptoms, but most get at least one or some of the following symptoms:

• Frequent urge to urinate

• Burning sensation when urinating

• Incomplete emptying of the bladder sensation

• Painful urination

• Cloudy or reddish urine

• Foul-smelling urine

If the infection spreads to the kidneys and becomes more severe, you may also have pain in the lower back, fever, chills, nausea and vomiting. See your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Tips to reduce risk

• Observe good bathroom hygiene, such as wiping from front to back after using the toilet.

Avoid delaying urinating as bacteria will multiple in the urinary tract, resulting in UTI.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

• Practise good sexual hygiene – Always urinate and wash your genital area before and after intercourse to reduce the risk of bacteria entering the urethra.

• Take a urinary alkaliniser daily to neutralise the acidity of urine.

How urinary alkaliniser helps

The following are the beneficial effects of a urinary alkaliniser for UTI sufferers:

• Neutralises acidity of urine – A UTI causes the urine to become acidic and this may irritate the inflamed urethra, resulting in a burning sensation when urine is passed.

A urinary alkaliniser makes the urine more alkaline (less acidic), which alleviates the symptoms.

• Hinder bacterial growth – A urinary alkaliniser is often effective at relieving symptoms, as well as hindering bacteria growth, by making the environment unfavourable for the bacteria to thrive.

• As adjunctive therapy to antibiotics for management of discomfort caused by UTIs.

• Enhances the action of certain antibiotics against bacteria by providing an alkaline pH environment.

It is important to take note that alkalising the urine can help reduce symptoms, but sometimes, an infection can still be present and require further treatment.

If symptoms persist for more than two days, you should go to your doctor immediately, and he will usually start you on a course of antibiotics.

The symptoms of a UTI may persist for a few days during the initial treatment. In this case, the discomfort caused by the UTI can be relieved by taking a urinary alkaliniser to help reduce the burning and stinging sensation during urination.

If you are particular about artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame, please ask to check the information leaflet placed inside the box to see what ingredient is used for the alkaliniser. It is best to look for one that is sugar-free or naturally sweetened.

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This article is courtesy of Live-well Nutraceuticals. For more information, consult your pharmacist; call Live-well INFOline: 03-6142 6570; or e-mail [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.