urethritis

Ureteritis: description

Ureteritis affects men and women alike. However, the urethra is significantly shorter in women than in men, which facilitates the rise of germs. As a result, women are generally more likely to develop cystitis, resulting in an increased risk of urethritis.

The ureters are two delicate “muscle tubes” that transport the urine from the kidneys into the bladder. If the mucous membranes inside the ureters become inflamed, it can cause severe pain and a general malaise. People with urinary stones have a significantly higher risk of developing ureteritis.

Ureteritis: symptoms

Symptoms of urethritis are similar to those of pyelitis: pain radiates from the kidney area to the rest of the abdomen and back. The abdomen often feels cramped. Since the inflammation often rises from the bladder, it can also cause pain when urinating. Often in many cases, the ureteritis is accompanied by fever and chills.

Ureteritis: causes and risk factors

The causes of ureteritis can be versatile. In general, however, bacteria such as chlamydia or gonococci are usually the cause of bladder inflammation and thus also of urethritis. Very often people get involved in unprotected sexual intercourse with these bacteria. The bacteria migrate from the urethra on the genitals to the bladder and then continue ascending to the ureters and renal pelvis.

Especially young women often suffer from cystitis during cold winter months, which can occasionally develop into ureteritis. People who have their urine drained over a bladder catheter for a long time are also at a higher risk of developing urethritis.

Patients with ureteral stones are also at risk of developing ureteritis. The stones hinder the unrestricted drainage of the urine and additionally irritate the mucous membrane. As a result, potential pathogens are less well flushed out and they can settle on the irritated mucous membranes better.

Ureteritis: examinations and diagnosis

Ureteritis almost never occurs without concomitant inflammation of the bladder. If the symptoms are a bladder infection and symptoms of ureteral inflammation occur (for example, strong, radiating pain in the abdomen and back), a ureteritis is likely. Overall, however, the doctor can only determine whether the discharging urinary tract are inflamed. The precise site of inflammation (urinary bladder, ureter, renal pelvis) is only possible with complex diagnostic measures such as bladder ureteroscopy (cysto-urethroscopy). A precise localization of the inflammation is usually not necessary.

In any case, it is necessary to determine if there is a bacterial inflammation in the urinary tract. For this purpose, so-called urine cultures must be created. From urine samples while the bacteria are grown in the laboratory. This makes it possible

to tailor the antibiotic therapy exactly to the causative agent of ureteritis.

Ureteritis: treatment

The treatment depends on the cause of ureteritis. A ureter inflammation is not without danger, since it can develop a life-threatening disease, the so-called urosepsis. Therefore, in many cases, a so-called broad-spectrum antibiotic is used at an early stage: this is an antibiotic that works against many different bacteria at the same time. If the pathogen is then identified, the therapy is then switched to a more specific antibiotic, which can specifically combat the bacteria. A bacterial-specific therapy (“test-appropriate antibiotic therapy”) is very important to reduce the risk of bacterial resistance.

In addition to antibiotic therapy, there are some measures that you can do on your own.

• warmth improves blood circulation in the abdomen and kidney area. So the body can better use its own defense mechanisms. Undershirts, warm stockings and a hot water bottle help to keep the body warm. Warm feet are especially important for urethritis.
• Drink is important to “flush out” the urinary system. Because the higher the flow speed, the harder it is to ascend bacteria in the urinary tract. Three to four liters per day are recommended, cranberry juice or currant juice acidify the urine in addition and make it difficult for the bacteria to multiply.
• sitz baths with chamomile extract or tea tree oil have anti-inflammatory effects and can relieve the symptoms of urethritis. Even a full-body bath can have a relaxing and analgesic effect.

Some sufferers report that these home remedies can prevent premature cystitis and thus a ureter inflammation. It is used when the first symptoms of cystitis occur, such as burning while urinating. In some cases, however, the infection progresses very quickly. As soon as blood is seen in the urine or a fever occurs, those affected should consult a doctor immediately.

Ureteritis: disease course and prognosis

The prognosis and course of a ureteritis can be individually very different. In the case of an uncomplicated course and early treatment, the symptoms usually disappear within one week under antibiotic therapy. However, the more inflammation of the urinary tract rises, the more dangerous it becomes. In some cases, ureteral inflammation can lead to the development of life-threatening urosepsis. For ailments that lead to a urethritis Therefore, a doctor should be consulted immediately.