Health Is a New Unique Wealth

Urinary tract infections (UTI): Symptoms, Causes. How to prevent UTI?

How to prevent UTI?

5 Minutes Read.

A urinary traction infection (UTI) is a common type of infection in the urinary tract. A urinary tract infection (UTI) can affect any part of your urinary system, including the urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys. Typical symptoms include frequent urination, pain when urinating, and pain in your side or lower back. Most UTIs are treatable with antibiotics.

If you’re a woman, you’re more likely to get a urinary tract infection. According to some experts, your lifetime risk of getting one is as high as one in two, with many women experiencing repeat infections, sometimes for years. One in every ten men will develop a UTI during their lifetime.

confitrol24 4 1

Affiliate Disclosure: A few links on this page are affiliate links, from which I receive a small commission from sales of certain items, but the price is the same for you. Thank you for the Support.

What is a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary tract.
Urine is produced when waste products and excess water are removed from your blood by the kidneys.

Urine normally passes through your urinary system without being contaminated. Bacteria, on the other hand, can enter the urinary system from outside the body, causing problems such as infection and inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection (UTI).

What are the causes of UTI?

Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms — usually bacteria — that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.

  • More than 90% of bladder infection (cystitis) cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.
  • Because of their genes, some women are predisposed to UTIs. Others are more likely to become infected because of the shape of their urinary tracts.
  • Women with diabetes may be at a higher risk because their immune systems are weakened, making them less able to fight infections.
  • Other conditions that cause UTI include hormonal changes, multiple sclerosis, and anything that affects urine flow, such as kidney stones, a stroke, or a spinal cord injury.
getimage

What are the types of Urinary tract infections (UTI)?

Urinary tract infections are classified into three types. The type of infection is determined by the area of the urinary tract that is infected.

A urinary tract infection can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the following:

  • Urethritis is an infection of the urethra, which is a hollow tube that drains urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
  • Cystitis is a bacterial infection of the bladder that has often spread from the urethra.
  • Pyelonephritis is a  kidney infection caused by an infection that has spread up the urinary tract or by a urinary tract obstruction. Urine backflows into the ureters and kidneys due to a urinary tract obstruction.
confitrol24 4 2

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

A urinary tract infection causes the lining of the urinary tract to become red and irritated (inflammation), which can result in some of the symptoms listed below:

  • Pain in the flank, abdomen, or pelvic area.
  • pressure in the lower pelvis.
  • Frequent urination (frequency), urgent urination (urgency), and incontinence (urine leakage).
  • Dysuria (painful urination) and blood in the urine
  • The requirement to urinate at night.
  • Urine with an abnormal color (cloudy urine) and a strong or foul odor.

Other signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:

  • Pain during sex
  • Pain in the Penis 
  • Pain on the side of the body or in the lower back.
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever and chills (temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Vomiting.
  • Mental shifts or confusion

How Can I prevent UTI?

12 Simple Ways to Prevent UTI from Today!

UTIs can be avoided by practicing good personal hygiene. This is especially important for women. Because the urethra in women is much shorter than in men, E. coli bacteria can move more easily from the rectum back into the body. It is recommended that you always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to avoid this.

  1. Women should practice good hygiene during their menstrual cycle to avoid infection. Changing pads and tampons regularly, as well as refraining from using feminine deodorants, can all help to prevent UTIs.
  2. Empty your bladder frequently, as soon as you feel the need to pee; don’t rush, and make sure you’ve completely emptied your bladder.
  3. Including more fluids, particularly water, in your daily routine can aid in the removal of extra bacteria from your urinary tract.
  4. Make a point of avoiding fluids and foods that may irritate your bladder, These can include alcoholic beverages, citrus juices, caffeinated beverages, and spicy foods.
  5.  Clean the genital area before having sex. 
  6. You should also try to urinate right before and right after sex. This may aid in the removal of any bacteria introduced during intercourse.
  7. If a woman uses a diaphragm for birth control, she is more likely to develop a UTI. Consult your doctor about other methods of birth control.
  8. If you have vaginal dryness and use a lubricant during sex, use a water-based lubricant. If you have a history of UTIs, you should avoid using spermicide.
  9. Avoiding wearing clothing that is too tight can help keep you dry and prevent bacteria from growing in your urinary tract. 
  10. You can also use cotton underwear. This will keep extra moisture from accumulating around your urethra.
  11. A healthcare provider may recommend an estrogen-containing vaginal cream to some postmenopausal women. Altering the pH of the vagina may reduce the risk of developing a UTI.
  12. UTIs can also be treated with over-the-counter supplements. These are sometimes recommended as an additional method of prevention for people who have frequent UTIs. Before beginning any supplements, consult with your healthcare provider to see if these are a good fit for you.
17885 154406317885

UTI Diagnosis and Testing

Consult a doctor if you suspect you have a urinary tract infection. You’ll be asked to provide a urine sample to be tested for UTI-causing bacteria.

If you have frequent UTIs and your doctor suspects a problem with your urinary tract, they may perform an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan to get a better look. They may also use a cystoscope, which is a long, flexible tube, to look inside your urethra and bladder.

getimage

Treatments for UTI

Antibiotics are the most standard treatment for urinary tract infections if your doctor thinks you need them. Always take all of your prescribed medications, even if you start to feel better. Drink plenty of water to aid in the removal of bacteria from your body. Your doctor may also prescribe pain relievers for you. You could benefit from a heating pad.

Cranberry juice is frequently promoted as a means of preventing or treating UTIs. The tannin in the red berry may prevent E. coli bacteria, the most common cause of urinary tract infections, from adhering to the walls of your bladder, where they can cause infection. However, research has shown that it does not significantly reduce infections.

What is Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTI)

Approximately 75 % of UTIs acquired in the hospital are associated with a urinary catheter, which is a tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra to drain urine. Urinary catheters are used by 15 to 25% of hospitalized patients. 

The most important risk factor for developing a catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) is the extended use of the urinary catheter. As a result, catheters should only be used for treatment options and should be removed as soon as they are no longer required.

Natural prevention/Solution for Urinary Tract Infections – Please drink plenty of water.

5/5 - (3 votes)