Pathophysiology of UTI symptoms?

[amyn87]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for the pathophysiology behind the signs and symptoms of UTIs for a careplan. I've looked in all my books and I've looked at a few sites online, but I can't find any that have what I'm looking for. I'm specifically looking for WHY symptoms happen...for example, Why does the urine have a foul odor? Why is there hematuria sometimes? Why does it cause fatigue and cognitive changes in the elderly?....I have basic answers, but I need very specific pathophysiology on them and I can't find it anywhere. Can anyone help? Thanks! :)

[itsmejuli]

UTI is caused by a bacterial infection, E. coli is the most common.

Here is a link to the pathophysiology of E. coli, you'll find your answer here.

http://www.life.umd.edu/classroom/bsci424/pathogendescriptions/Escherichia.htm

This site is a great resource of information on medically important pathogenic bacteria.

[SheaTab]

Amyn:

Try http://nursing-homes.aplaceformom.com/articles/elderly-urinary-tract-infection/ for a discussion for a small amount of information. Though it isn't particularly technical, it might be somewhat useful.

In terms of the symptomatology and patho behind dysuria, all signs point toward the inflammatory response. Imagine what you may see on the skin of a patient with a MRSA infected wound. Pus, edema, pain, erythema, and heat. Now, imagine all this occurring inside the bladder and to the bladder wall. OUCH! Try a google search of inflammation and bladder wall. Or visceral pain and bladder and inflammation.

I was also surprised to find very little specific patho info on the net.

Good luck!

Tabitha

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

post #46 on this sticky thread: https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/pathophysiology-p-microbiology-145201.html pathophysiology/ a & p/ microbiology/ fluid & electrolyte resources contains links to previous threads with the pathophysiology of various medical diseases and conditions. uti is among them:

• https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/pathophysiology-uti-septicemia-268443.html - pathophysiology of uti/septicemia - keep in mind that the inflammatory response occurs with infection and its cardinal signs are redness, heat, swelling and pain. many of the symptoms produced by infections are due to the inflammatory response.