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Stomach Pain

Chronic UTIs & IC

The Practice of Health and Wellness
Internal Medicine & Functional Medicine Specialist located in Thomaston, CT

Are you suffering from chronic urinary tract infections? Have you been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis?
There is a good possibility you may have an embedded infection in the bladder wall. Dr. Pamela Cipriano, DNP, APRN, trained under Ruth Kriz, MSN, APRN, a Chronic UTI Expert. Local laboratory testing and cultures are not sophisticated enough to identify the embedded bacteria or bacteria hiding in biofilm. Utilizing DNA testing is a crucial first step in identifying these hidden bacteria. Furthermore, pathogens colonized in the vaginal area and those in the semen of sexual partners may contribute to this chronic form of urinary tract infection.

Chronic UTIs & IC  Q & A

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Urinary Tract Infections?

 

Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) can present with symptoms that are similar to those of an acute UTI, but they tend to be persistent or recurrent over time. Common symptoms include: 

  • Frequent Urination: The need to urinate more often than usual, including during the night (nocturia). 

  • Urgency: A sudden, strong urge to urinate, even if the bladder isn't full. 

  • Pain or Burning Sensation: Discomfort or a burning feeling when urinating (dysuria).

  • Cloudy or Strong-Smelling Urine: Urine that may appear cloudy or have a strong odor. 

  • Lower Abdominal or Pelvic Pain: Discomfort or pressure in the lower abdomen, back, or pelvic area.

  • Hematuria: Presence of blood in the urine, which can cause the urine to appear pink, red, or cola-colored.

  • Fatigue or General Malaise: Feeling tired or unwell, which can be more prominent if the infection is persistent.

  • Low-Grade Fever: A mild fever might be present, especially if the infection has spread beyond the bladder.

  • Incontinence: An increased tendency to accidentally leak urine.

Chronic UTIs may not always present with all these symptoms simultaneously, and sometimes the symptoms can be milder compared to an acute UTI. However, the recurrent nature and impact on daily life are key features of chronic UTIs.

 

How Are Chronic Urinary Tract Infections Diagnosed?

 

The bacteria that cause chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often missed by local laboratories and hospital-based laboratories. Culture and sensitivity tests are frequently not sensitive enough, resulting in false negative results. If the bacteria are hiding in biofilm or embedded in the bladder wall, local testing is not sufficient to get an accurate result.

But MicrogenDX is only one of several diagnostic tools Dr. Cipriano utilizes to identify the cause of your chronic UTIs. For this reason, Dr. Cipriano has also partnered with IntellxxDNA, which offers DNA testing to identify genetic predispositions that make it difficult for the body to break down biofilms. Additionally, Vitamin D deficiency decreases the immune system’s ability to fight bacteria, allowing them to grow more rapidly. Having a vitamin D level of at least 55 has been shown to boost the immune system in addition to several other health benefits. Assessing serum ammonia for elevated levels is critical in identifying a possible breakdown of the glycosaminoglycan layer. Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) is a mucus-like layer that protects the bladder wall from urine and bacteria. Elevated ammonia levels can destroy the glycosaminoglycan layer, causing chronic forms of urinary tract infections as well as interstitial cystitis. Testing for mycotoxins and tick-borne diseases is essential in understanding if bacteria from these diseases are contributing to the chronic UTIs/interstitial cystitis.

How Are Chronic Urinary Tract Infections Treated?

 

Chronic UTI treatment is customized to each individual case. Finding the root cause of the chronic infection is imperative in devising a plan of care that will treat the chronic UTIs and prevent them from recurring. The stage and severity dictate how long the treatment will last. Incorporating antibiotics, biofilm busters, Vitamin D3, and boosting the immune system with IV vitamins and minerals are essential in treating chronic infection and inflammation and reducing the risk of future infections.

Treating chronic urinary tract infections and interstitial cystitis is complicated and requires an expert like Dr. Pamela Cipriano, DNP, APRN. Call The Practice of Health and Wellness for an evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment, or request your appointment online.

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