simple urethritis

Urethritis

Definition

Urethritis is an inflammation of the urethra that is usually caused by an infection.

Description

The urethra is the canal that moves urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. When this canal becomes infected, inflammation occurs due to the accumulation of white blood cells in the area. When this occurs, it is called urethritis. Besides the urethra, the urinary tract consists of the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Inflammation can move up the urethra, causing cystitis in the bladder, or nephritis in the kidneys. Collectively, these inflammations are called urinary tract infections or UTIs.

Urinary tract infections are much more common in women than in men, probably due to anatomy. Infections are especially more common in older women, due to bladder problems.

Causes and symptoms

Uncomplicated urethritis usually results from infection by the bacteria Escherichia coli, commonly found in the bowel. Complicated urethritis can occur when other problems exist, such as kidney stones, malformations of the urinary tract, spinal cord injury, or a compromised immune system. People with diabetes tend to have more urinary tract infections, as well as hospitalized patients. Urinary tract infections can also be sexually transmitted. Some people seem to be susceptible to urinary tract infections, having them recurrently.

Frequently, a urinary tract infection has no symptoms. Common symptoms though, include pain and a burning sensation when urinating, frequent urination, or passing blood in the urine. Signs that the infection may be worsening include fever and chills, nausea, vomiting, and lower back pain.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis for a urinary tract infection is made by assessing the symptoms, feeling (palpating) the abdomen for tenderness, and a urinalysis. A urinalysis, or urine sample, is examined for both the presence of bacteria and white blood cells. After this, a urine culture to determine what bacteria is causing the infection may be done.

Treatment

Typical treatment for urinary tract infections is a course of antibiotics. In women who have recurrent urethritis, the diagnosis and treatment is often resolved over the phone. Additional drugs are sometimes given to relieve discomfort.

Alternative treatment

For those individuals who seem to be more susceptible to urinary tract infections, drinking lots of fluids at the first sign of an infection can ward it off by diluting the bacteria present and flushing the system. Adding a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drinking it can change the pH of the urine, causing it to burn less. Also, cranberry juice contains a compound that can prevent bacteria from sticking to and thus growing in the urinary tract. Antimicrobial herbs, such as uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and pipsissewa (Chimaphila umbellata), may be helpful. Other herbs, such as marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), slippery elm (Ulmus fulva), comfrey (Symphytum officinale), plantain (Plantago major), and cornsilk, can soothe the urinary tract. Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. bifidus supplementation reintroduces normal flora into the urinary tract. Acupuncture and homeopathy can also be effective therapies for urethritis.

Prognosis

Given the appropriate antibiotic, urinary tract infections usually go away quickly. If not treated soon enough, however, urethritis can move up the urinary tract, infecting the bladder and possibly the kidneys, resulting in kidney damage. If the infection moves into the blood, additional complications can arise. Those who have previously had a urinary tract infection are more susceptible to additional urinary tract infections. Because of this, patients need to be aware of the symptoms so that a physician can be notified if the infection becomes recurrent.

Prevention

There are some steps that can be taken to keep the urinary tract healthy and prevent infection.

drink plenty of fluids
do not hold urine once the urge to urinate has occurred
after a bowel movement, wipe from front to rear to keep bowel bacteria at a distance
wear cotton underwear
rinse soap off well in the shower
urinate after sexual intercourse
for post-menopausal women, estrogen replacement therapy can help prevent urinary tract infection

Resources

Periodicals

"Drink Away Urinary Tract Infections." Prevention Magazine January 1998: 135.

urethritis /ure·thri·tis/ (u″re-thri´tis) inflammation of the urethra.

urethritis cys´tica urethritis with formation of multiple submucosal cysts.

nongonococcal urethritis , nonspecific urethritis urethritis without evidence of gonococcal infection.

simple urethritis nongonococcal u.

u·re·thri·tis (y

-thr

Inflammation of the urethra.

urethritis

[yoo͡r′ithrī′tis]

inflammation of the urethra. The condition is characterized by dysuria and is usually the result of an infection in the bladder or kidneys. An antibiotic, a urinary antiseptic, and an analgesic are usually prescribed after the causative organism is identified by bacteriologic culture of a urine specimen. See also nongonococcal urethritis.

urethritis [u″re-thri´tis]

inflammation of the urethra, often a symptom of gonorrhea(gonococcal urethritis) but sometimes caused by another infectious organism. The urethra swells and narrows and the flow of urine is impeded; both urination and the urgency to urinate increase and there is burning pain, sometimes with a purulent discharge, on urination. It usually responds to treatment with antibiotics or sulfonamides.

nongonococcal urethritis (nonspecific urethritis) a sexually transmitted inflammation of the urethra caused by any of various organisms other than gonococci.

urethritis (yoor´ithrī´tis),

n an inflammatory condition of the urethra that is characterized by dysuria, usually the result of an infection in the bladder or kidneys.

urethritis

inflammation of the urethra due to injury or infection. The urethra swells and narrows, and the flow of urine is impeded. Both urination and the urgency to urinate increase. There may be a purulent discharge.

granulomatous urethritis

occurs in female dogs, often complicated by bacterial infection. May cause partial obstruction and stranguria.

urethritis

Urology Inflammation of the urethra, Etiology Infection–E coli, Klebsiella, STDs–eg, Chlamydia, N gonorrhoeae, Ureaplasma urealyticum; chemical irritants–spermatocides in condoms, contraceptive jelly, cream, or foam; mechanical–insertion of stuff into urethra Risk factors ♂ age 20–35, multiple sexual partners, high-risk sexual behavior–eg, anal intercourse. See Nongonococcal urethritis.

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Chlamydia Chlamydia trachomatis cystitis gonococcal urethritis gonorrhea gonorrheal conjunctivitis gonorrheal urethritis granulomatous granulomatous enteritis Honeymoon Cystitis inclusion conjunctivitis Mycoplasma Mycoplasma hominis Mycoplasma pneumoniae NGU non-gonococcal urethritis nongonococcal urethritis nonspecific urethritis NSU			Simple Urethritis is caused by an inflammation of the urethra (tube that leads from the bladder) often resulting from Gonorrhoea. Your frank guide to sex infections by Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England)			simple carbohydrates simple cavity simple diarrhea simple dislocation simple epithelium simple figure-eight roller arm sling simple fission simple fracture simple glaucoma simple goiter simple joint simple mastectomy simple meningitis simple microscope simple periodontal pocket simple phobia simple protein simple reflex simple squamous epithelium simple stomatitis simple suction probe simple sugar simple test simple traction simple tubular gland simple urethritis simple vulvectomy simplexin Simplexvirus Simplified Acute Physiology Score Simpson Simpson forceps Simpson-Angus Scale Sims Sims position Sims recumbent position Sims' position simul simuland simular simulation simulator Simulator Sickness Simulect simulid Simulium simultanagnosia simultaneous pulse cardioversion simultaneous serum-virus vaccination Simultantest SIMV			Simple Transportation Management Framework Simple Transportation Management Protocol Simple Traversal of UDP Simple traversal of UDP over NATs Simple traversal of UDP over NATs Simple traversal of UDP over NATs Simple traversal of UDP over NATs Simple traversal of UDP over NATs (STUN) Simple traversal of UDP over NATs (STUN) Simple traversal of UDP over NATs (STUN) Simple traversal of UDP over NATs (STUN) Simple Traversal of UDP Through NATs Simple Traversal of UDP Through NATs Simple Traversal of UDP Through NATs Simple Traversal of UDP Through NATs Simple Triage and Rapid Transport Simple triage and rapid treatment Simple trust Simple trust Simple Trusted Delivery Protocol Simple Trusts Simple Trusts Simple tubular gland Simple tubular gland Simple tubular glands Simple tubular glands simple twin Simple Unprepared Reaction Time Simple Unstable Vehicle Simple Unstructured Text Record Syntax simple urethritis Simple User Interface Toolkit simple uterus simple uterus simple uterus simple valley Simple vandalism Simple vandalism simple vault Simple Vector Format Simple Video Disk Recorder Protocol Simple Virtual Environment Simple Visual Reaction Time Simple vulvectomy Simple vulvectomy Simple Watch Simple Water Level Monitoring System Simple Web Error Checker Simple Web Indexing System for Humans Simple Web Interface Link Library Simple Web Interface Toolset Simple Wide Area Information Server Simple Workflow Access Protocol Simple X Protocol Compressor Simple XML Simple XML Application Server Simple XML Data Manipulation Language Simple zero Simple zero Simple zero Simple, Closed, Rectifiable-Oriented Curve

urethritis (redirected from simple urethritis)

Definition

Description

Causes and symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Alternative treatment

Prognosis

Prevention

Resources

Periodicals

urethritis
(redirected from simple urethritis)