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For an appointment, call:
(920) 320-6344 |
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Lakeshore Urology
1818 Memorial Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
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Office hours
Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm
Same day and noon-hour appointments are often available.
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Insurance and Fees
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John Stern, M.D.
Question: What causes a urinary tract infection? Can cranberry juice really prevent it?
Answer: Urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria enters the urinary bladder and attacks its inner lining. This can cause few or no symptoms with low-grade infections, to burning, pressure, frequent/urgent urination, urine leakage or even bleeding with higher-grade infections.
When the bladder is infected, it is called cystitis. An infection that spreads to the kidney is called pyelonephritis. Kidney infections often have additional symptoms of high fever or chills, and abdominal or high back pain, sometimes with nausea.
Women have UTI’s over 10 times more often than men, because their shorter urinary channel (urethra) gives bacteria a shorter, easier route to the inside. Sometimes a simple UTI can turn into a chronic one, which can lay dormant and re-activate often.
UTI’s in women can be caused by inadequate fluid drinking, poor bladder emptying – either physical or acquired, sexual activity, constipation, weak bladder immune system (from hormone changes at menopause or with menstrual periods, cancer treatments, certain medications or fighting off other infections), holding the urine too long if busy or not near a bathroom, urinary tract stones or other obstructions.
UTI’s in women don’t need further testing if they are only occasional and clear easily. They can usually be prevented by correcting the causes mentioned above.
Further testing IS needed, however, with ALL infections in men; any kidney infection, infections not clearing easily, symptoms persisting after the urine specimen clears, or infections occurring more than two to three times yearly. In these cases, the infection has a high risk of being caused by significant urinary tract abnormalities.
Frequent water drinking and regular bladder emptying offer the best protection against UTI’s. Studies show cranberry juice drinking, in addition, IS helpful as well. If these are unsuccessful, long-term, mini-dose preventive antibiotics usually work well.