What Causes Urinary Tract Infection?

Urine infections are very common infections among women. They usually occur after sex or during menstruation. But sometimes, UTI symptoms go away without treatment. This happens because bacteria build up in the bladder and cause infection.

Women should always be aware of the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections. It's important to treat these infections early before they become serious. In fact, many women who ignore the symptoms end up with kidney damage.

If you suspect that you may have a UTI, then read my article "What causes a UTI?" and learn how to prevent future problems.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary Tract Infections are infections of the urinary system caused by bacteria from the urethra, bladder, kidneys, ureters, and/or prostate gland. The most common symptoms include frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, pain when passing urine, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and backache. UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics.

The most common cause of UTI is bacterial contamination of the urinary tract through sexual contact, childbirth, catheterization, diabetes mellitus, or poor hygiene. Other factors such as diet, stress, drugs, and medical procedures can also contribute to UTI.

Although UTIs are very common among women, men can get them too. In some cases, UTIs can lead to kidney damage and even death if left untreated.

Bladder Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused when bacteria enter the urethra, which connects the bladder to the penis. Bladder infections occur when bacteria enters the bladder. UTIs usually affect women more often than men because the urethra is shorter for females.

Bladder infections are also called cystitis. Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. This condition occurs when there is an increase in fluid in the bladder. Fluid may collect in the bladder due to a blockage in the urine flow. This blockage could be due to a stone in the kidney, prostate gland, or ureter.

The symptoms of a bladder infection include burning while urinating, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or bloody urine, and painful urination. A person suffering from a bladder infection might feel feverish and experience chills. In severe cases, the patient may develop blood in the urine.

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the kidneys, ureters, and/or bladder. Symptoms include burning while urinating; frequent urges to urinate; cloudy or bloody urine; and painful urination. Fever, chills, and backache are common signs of a UTI. Blood in the urine indicates a serious problem.

Diagnosis of Urinary Tract Infections?

The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include: fever, chills, back pain, nausea, vomiting, burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, painful urination, cloudy urine, increased frequency of urinating, blood in urine, lower abdominal cramps, and difficulty sleeping. The first step in diagnosing a UTI is to take a sample of your urine. This can be done at home by collecting a midstream specimen. If this is not available, then a clean catch specimen is acceptable. You should collect the urine in a container that is leak proof. Do not use plastic containers because they could leach chemicals into your urine. A sterile cup works well. It is best if you wait until you get up to go to the bathroom before taking the sample. Collect the urine in the morning when you wake up. Avoid drinking alcohol or eating foods that contain caffeine or sugar. Also avoid strenuous exercise right after you void. If you have any concerns about how to collect your urine sample, contact your doctor.

Once you have collected your urine sample, place it in a refrigerator immediately. Do not put it in the freezer. Keep it cold but not frozen. Once you have obtained your urine sample, send it to your physician's office. Your physician will examine your urine sample under a microscope. He/she will look for white blood cells, bacteria, crystals, and pus. White blood cells indicate inflammation; bacteria indicates infection; crystals indicate kidney stones; and pus suggests an abscess. Your physician may ask you some additional questions regarding your symptoms.

If your physician suspects that you have a UTI, he/she may order a urine culture test. In addition to looking for signs of infection, a urine culture test helps determine which antibiotics work best against specific types of infections. For example, if your physician orders a urine culture test, she/he might prescribe one antibiotic for a bacterial infection and another for a fungal infection.

Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy

UTI during pregnancy are common, particularly among women with diabetes. In fact, more than half of all pregnancies are complicated by UTI.

UTIs are caused by bacteria that normally live harmlessly in the intestines. During pregnancy, the uterus enlarges, which allows these bacteria to move upward into the bladder and kidneys. This is why most cases occur during the third trimester.

In addition to causing discomfort, UTIs may lead to kidney damage and even premature labor. If left untreated, UTIs can also cause serious complications such as preterm delivery, low birth weight babies, and death.

Risk Factor of Urinary Tract Infections

Risk factors include

• Age (older adults are more likely to get UTI), reduced mobility after surgery or prolong bed rest,
• kidney stones,
• a previous UTI,
• urinary tract obstructions or blockages, like prolonged use of urinary catheters, which make it easier for bacteria enter your bladder, diabetes, pregnancy, abnormalities in your urinary structure, from birth,
• weak immunity.

Most UTI risk factors for males are the same as females.

What Are Natural Remedies?

To prevent UTIs, keep these three simple rules in mind:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

• Wash hands after using the bathroom.

• Avoid touching your genitals.

If you notice any signs of infection, contact your doctor immediately.

Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the underlying medical condition of the patient. Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs caused by E. coli. For example, amoxicillin 500 mg three times per day for 10 days is commonly prescribed for uncomplicated cystitis.

Other treatments for UTIs include drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, eating foods rich in probiotic bacteria like yogurt and kefir, taking cranberry juice, and using herbal remedies such as dandelion root tea.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common among women. They occur when bacteria from the digestive system enter the urethra, which is located between the bladder and the vagina. This causes irritation and inflammation of the tissues lining the urethra. UTIs can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause.