Information about Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) occurs frequently in women. They can be painful especially when urinating. These infections are quite awkward when you feel you have to get up and use the bathroom every few minutes. These infections make urinating uncomfortable and will be painful while trying. The reason for urinary tract infections is that bacteria grow abundantly in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections are not just for women. Men also experience the pain and discomfort of a UTI. Typically, the bacteria that cause this infection live near the urethra and are normally washed from the body as a normal function of the body getting rid of toxins. When the bacteria begin to build up in the urinary tract, the infection begins and the need for treatment is needed.

Causes

What is the cause of a urinary tract infection? E. Coli is one culprit in adults. The E. coli bacteria usually reside in the colon. One reason women may be more susceptible to a urinary tract infection is that the urethra is very close to where the source of the bacteria reside. In some women, intercourse may also trigger a urinary tract infection. The use of a diaphragm seems to cause frequent urinary tract infections. Other women may frequently experience these infections while using condoms and spermicidal solutions. Those who require long-term catheterization may experience urinary tract infections more frequently.

Some other risk factors may be:

Kidney stones
Spinal cord injury that would not enable you to empty your bladder
Congenital abnormalities
Suppressed immune system
Not circumcised and having poor hygiene
Certain blood types can actually allow the bacteria to attach to the lining in the urinary tract
Here are some of the symptoms of a lower UTI:
Back pain
Blood in the Urine
Cloudy Urine
Frequent desire to urinate and not able to
Fever
Painful urination
Here are some of the symptoms of an upper:
Chills
High fever
Nausea
Pain below the ribs
Vomiting

During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the urinary tract can make women at risk for kidney infections. Part of prenatal care includes you urinating in a cup every single visit. This is to check for a possible urinary tract infection. A UTI can cause complications in pregnancy such as premature birth. Diseases that also contribute to a urinary tract infection are those that suppress the immune system such as HIV, cancer, and sickle cell anemia.

Treatments

Most urinary tract and bladder infections can be treated with antibacterial medications. Although the symptoms may subside within a few days, it is important to take the medication for the time prescribed usually a couple of weeks. Frequent infections (3 or more per year) may be treated with a low dose antibiotic for up to six months maybe longer. It is important to continue follow-up visits to make sure you are free of bacteria in the urinary tract.

Urinary tract infections that are caused by bacteria such as chlamydia and the bacteria that cause pelvic inflammatory disease (e.g. Gardnerella) require a longer course of treatment with tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or doxycycline.

Kidney stones and other obstructive problems may lead to urinary tract infections some of which may require surgery. Kidney infections may require hospitalization and as many as 6 weeks of antibiotic treatment to prevent serious kidney damage. Non-prescription pain relievers and the use of heating pads may also ease the discomfort. Drinking an abundance of water may help to cleanse the bacteria from the urinary tract area. Coffee and alcohol will not help in the cleansing process.

Prevention

Some preventative measures that can reduce the risk for bladder and urinary tract infections:

Avoid products that irritate the urethra
Prior to intercourse, cleanse the genital area
Drink a plethora of water daily
When you have the urge to urinate do not wait
Showers will help you more than baths in prevention
After intercourse - urinate
Women and girls should wipe from the front to the back to avoid contamination
Cranberry juice works wonders on the urinary tract

If you follow these preventive measures and take prescribed medications, your discomfort will soon diminish and you will be able to be without winching. As uncomfortable as these infections can be if they are treated promptly they are harmless.