Why Do I Get UTIs So Frequently?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely common — in fact, they’re the most common outpatient infection in the United States, affecting millions of people every year. The good news: Most UTIs can be eradicated with antibiotic therapy. But for some people, UTIs recur, increasing the risk of serious complications.

At Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy, our expert team offers customized, patient-centered treatments for UTIs, including chronic and recurrent infections. Let’s take a closer look at why chronic UTIs happen and what we can do to help.

A short tutorial on UTIs

UTIs happen when germs enter and infect the urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Not all infections involve all parts of the urinary tract — initially, most infections affect just the urethra and bladder. 

If treatment is delayed or if the infection is aggressive, germs can move into your ureters (the tubes carrying urine from the kidneys to your bladder) and kidneys. Kidney infections can be quite serious, resulting in scarring and kidney damage — a major reason why prompt UTI treatment is so important.

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract via your urethra (the opening that expels urine). The bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) found in your intestines is a common culprit. Fortunately, these infections can usually be controlled with antibiotics, or medicines that are specifically designed to eliminate disease-causing bacteria. 

UTI symptoms

In their initial stages, UTIs cause pain or burning during urination. You may feel like you have to urinate all the time or that you’re unable to completely empty your bladder. 

More advanced infections can cause pain in your lower belly or back, fever, and achy, flu-like symptoms. These symptoms may be a sign that your kidneys are involved. In such cases, immediate medical treatment is necessary to avoid potentially dangerous complications, like permanent kidney damage.

Dealing with chronic UTIs

While antibiotic therapy is effective in treating most UTIs, some people have recurrent infections that increase their risk of complications. Understanding why recurrent infections happen plays an important role in effective UTI management.

Surviving bacteria

Sometimes, infections recur when initial antibiotic therapy is inadequate or isn’t followed properly. Antibiotic therapy often helps symptoms clear up rapidly, even though bacteria are still present in your urinary tract. 

As a result, some patients stop taking their medicine once they feel better, leaving those bacteria to multiply and cause another infection. When you have a UTI, it’s important to take all your medicine exactly as prescribed — even if your symptoms go away — to be sure all bacteria are destroyed.

Wrong medication

Different germs respond to different medications. If you have recurrent UTIs, we can perform additional lab tests to identify the specific germ at play. This allows us to prescribe a more tailored antibiotic therapy plan that’s better able to defeat the bacteria causing your UTIs.

Hygiene habits

1. coli is found in your intestines, and if you wipe from back to front or don’t clean the area thoroughly when washing, you may spread bacteria from the anus area into the urethra, “jump-starting” a UTI. Wearing tight clothing or a damp bathing suit or undergarments can lead to infection, too.

Sexual contact

Even when you’re extra careful about your own hygiene, you can contract a UTI from sexual activity. Urinating after intercourse helps wash bacteria out of your urinary tract and reduces the risk of infection.

Dehydration

Drinking plenty of water keeps your urinary tract active, and it also helps wash away bacteria. Aim to drink plenty of water throughout the day, and limit your caffeine intake, which can lead to dehydration.

Urinary tract problems

An abnormal urinary tract anatomy can interfere with normal urination, allowing bacteria to build up inside the tract. Diagnostic imaging and other evaluations can help identify problems interfering with urination, so we can devise a treatment plan that works for you.

Underlying health issues

Like any type of infection, UTIs may be more common among people with weakened immune systems, where the body isn’t able to fight off infections as effectively as someone with a healthy immune system. This is one reason older adults are more prone to chronic UTIs — the immune system becomes slower and less responsive with age.

Some underlying medical conditions, like diabetes, can increase the risk of UTIs, too. For women, douching, personal deodorant products, and spermicides can disrupt your body’s natural defense system, increasing your risk of UTIs.

Prompt treatment is critical

Although it’s already been mentioned, it’s worth stating again: Prompt treatment for any UTI is critical for avoiding potential complications, including permanent kidney damage. 

Whether you have occasional UTIs or your problem is chronic, we can help. To find relief for your UTIs, book an appointment online or over the phone with Minit Medical Urgent Care and Physical Therapy in Kihei, Kahului, and Lahaina, Hawaii, today.