Urinary Tract Infection in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) can cause many symptoms like high blood pressure, back pain, foamy urine, blood urine and urinary tract infection. Among these symptoms, urinary tract infection is especially common for woman with Polycystic Kidney Disease. These infections should always be taken seriously and fully investigated, because frequent urinary tract infections may worsen kidney function in some people with ADPKD.
How does Polycystic Kidney Disease cause urinary tract infection?
We know Polycystic Kidney Disease is marked by lots of cysts in kidney which can interfere with the normal flow of urine and even minor delays in the flow increase your chance of an infection. Also, kidney cysts can make infection by changing tissues of the kidneys. Bacteria that cause urinary tract infection enter the urinary tract through the urethra, which can explain why urinary tract infection is more common among female Polycystic Kidney Disease patients.
How to prevent urinary tract infection with Polycystic Kidney Disease?
Though Polycystic Kidney Disease patients are at high risk of developing urinary tract infection, the likelihood of frequent urinary tract infection can be reduced effective by following measures:
1. Drink more water, which can help to rush bacteria in your urinary tract away to some extent. But please first check with your doctor before you doing this in case you are on restricted fluids because of your kidney function.
2. Avoid fluids that can irritate the bladder like pure fruit juices, alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks.
Urinate every 2 hours during the day.
For women with PKD, they can do as follow:
1. Wash the genital area before sexual intercourse.
2. Drink some water before intercourse and urinate within 30 minutes afterwards.
3. Wipe from front to back after urinating or bowel movement.
4. Choose underwear made of natural materials such as cotton, and do not wear thongs, which can irritate the urethra.
5. Double-void' when urinating, by standing up after urinating and then re-sitting or squatting to release any remaining urine that could stay in the urinary tract and become stale.