Urinary Tract Infection and Differential Diagnosis

An attempt to come up with an academic discussion regarding urinary tract infection is futile without first understanding its causes and pathological dynamics. How these diseases develop? How does it manifest itself to a person stricken with the disease? How this is treated and would there be any other diseases that show similar symptoms and manifestations as that of urinary tract infection.

Understanding Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections or UTI are a common type of infection caused mostly by E. Coli bacteria that travels from the urethra to the bladder. Infections are named differently according to what organ in the urinary system is infected. If the infection takes place in the bladder it is referred to as cystitis. If the kidney is the one affected by the bacteria, it is called, Pyelonephritis. Women are more susceptible to E. coli infection causing urinary tract infection because women's urethra is shorter as compared to men. Thus, frequent mating increases the risk of developing the disease. When women menopause, their urinary tract lining thins as caused by the dropping of the level of estrogen thus they become more susceptible to infection.

Symptoms

A symptom of the disease may vary according to the degree of infection. One having the infection may have the urge to urinate frequently, even after the bladder is emptied. During urinating, the patient may feel a burning and painful sensation. There will be discomfort or bloating in the lower abdomen and pain in the pelvic area or back. Urine may appear cloudy and will have a strong smell. While all of these symptoms connotes and is indicative of the presence of the disease, there are also other diseases that may have the same symptoms as indicated.

Other Diseases with Similar Symptoms

Making a differential diagnosis is crucial especially when the symptoms of a urinary tract infection may mimic that of other diseases that manifest similar symptoms. There are other diseases that exhibit the same or almost the same symptoms and manifestation as that of urinary tract infection which are potentially hazardous to health such as the diseases listed below:

1. Infection of the reproductive organ of women caused by yeast or herpes
2. Interstitial Cystitis or painful bladder syndrome
3. Renal Infection
4. Kidney Stones
5. Sexually transmitted disease as Chlamydia, gonorrhea or trichomoniasis
6. Urethral diverticulum or pouch in the wall of the urethra
7. Narrowing of the urethra
8. Cystocele or sagging of the bladder
9. Pelvic inflammatory disease
10. Cancer of the kidneys or bladder

Treatment

The safest approach to managing and treating this disease is seeing one's doctor immediately. In most cases, antibiotic administration is prescribed to combat bacteria and the dosage and frequency of intake depends on the gravity or the stage of the infection. Identifying the specific cause of the infection is important in order to provide the most accurate treatment plan in managing the disease.

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