Urinary tract infection (UTI)

The urinary system in your body is made up of the ureters, bladder, kidneys and urethra. It is possible to have a urinary tract infection in any part of your urinary system, but most commonly it occurs in the lower part of the system. This involves the bladder and the urethra.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can be very painful and cause a great deal of annoyance. In more serious cases when the infection spreads to the kidneys, a much more serious consequence can be the result. The symptoms of a urinary tract infection include a strong urge to urinate, small amounts of urine passed even when there is an urgent need, burning pain during urination, cloudy urine or blood in the urine, and bacteria in the urine which can be determined through tests conducted by your doctor. Not everyone will feel the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, but most people will develop at least a few of these symptoms that indicate the possibility of an infection.

In urinary tract infections that have spread to the kidneys, the symptoms will be more severe. Pain on the side and upper back, fever, shaking, chills, vomiting and nausea, are some of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection that involves the kidneys.

When the urinary tract infection involves the bladder there may be symptoms of pain in the lower abdomen and pressure in the pelvic area, fever and painful urination. And when there is an infection that involves the urethra, there will be pain during urination.

The most common type of urinary tract infection is one that involves the bladder and the urethra. The cause of urinary tract infection in the bladder is typically E. coli which is a bacterium that is found in the gastrointestinal tract. Women are more susceptible to this type of infection because of the close proximity between the urethra and anus. Plus there is a very short distance from the urethra to the bladder in women.

Another common urinary tract infection is one that involves the urethra. This infection occurs when the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract infect the urethra. Other causes of this type of infection in women can occur because of the close proximity of the vagina to the urethra where diseases such as herpes, Chlamydia and gonorrhea are also causes.

There are some risk factors that make you more vulnerable to a urinary tract infection. Being a woman is one of the risk factors that will make you more vulnerable to infection; however, there is nothing that can be done about the anatomy of a woman that is the main cause that women are at an increased risk of this type of infection.

Sexual activity can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection in women as well. Women who are active sexually will suffer from more frequent infections than those who are not. Sexual activity can irritate the urethra and make it easier for germs to travel to the bladder.

Birth control devices such as a diaphragm will also increase the risk of urinary tract infection. The use of spermicides also increases the risk.

Diseases that suppress the immune system such as diabetes will also increase the risk of urinary tract infection.

A urinary tract infection is diagnosed with tests at your doctor’s office that will detect the bacteria in the urine. An antibiotic is prescribed and relief from the symptoms can usually be expected within a few days. When taking an antibiotic for the treatment of a urinary tract infection, it is important that you take the entire course to ensure that the infection has been eliminated.

Last updated on May 14th, 2009 and filed under Genitourinary Disorders. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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