The Truth About Urinary Tract Infections

By Datriona Spears

Your urinary tract is the system that makes urine and carries it out of your body. It includes your bladder and kidneys and the tubes that connect them also included are; the ureters, prostate (in men), and the urethra. Women seem to be prone to infections, because of the constant changes in their bodies. Today symptoms of an infection are showing up later than the infection has actually existed, as women’s bodies in general have changed over the years. One infection that is very common in women is a Urinary Tract Infection. UTIs are so common that approximately 50% of women will experience a UTI at least once during their life span. When germs get into the urinary tract system, an infection can arise. Organisms originating from the intestines usually cause UTIs. In 80 - 90% of first infections, the bacteria Escherichia coli is involved. Most often the bacteria enters the urethra and travels to the bladder and kidneys. It is true that urine contains a variety of fluids, salts, and waste products, but usually there is no bacteria in urine. The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, which is also often called cystitis. Urinary tract Infections cause discomfort, but usually they can be quickly and easily treated when the patient sees a doctor promptly.

Signs and symptoms:
Everyone with a UTI does not develop recognizable signs and symptoms, which is becoming more frequent, but some people do have symptoms. Which can include strong, persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation when urinating, Passing frequent, small amounts of urine, Blood in the urine, or cloudy, strong-smelling urine. So if you are noticing any of these symptoms make sure you contact your doctor, because it is possible that you have had a UTI longer than your symptoms have been showing up.

Causes:
The urinary system has infection-fighting properties that reduce the growth of bacteria and is designed to keep out such bacteria invaders. However, certain factors increase the chances that bacteria will enter the urinary tract, and cause an infection.

Cystitis may occur in women after sexual intercourse, but is not limited to sexually active women. The anus is very close to the female urethra making it very common for females who are not sexually active to get an infection. The same organisms that infect the kidney and bladder can also infect the urethra, because of the female urethra's proximity to the vagina, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as herpes simplex virus and Chlamydia, also are possible causes of an infection.

Risk Factors:
Women have a shorter urethra than men have, which cuts down on the distance bacteria must travel to reach the bladder, making it more likely for women to get an infection. Young children and older adults are at the greatest risk of kidney damage due to UTIs because their symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for other conditions.

Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs, because sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra, allowing germs to travel through the urethra into the bladder more frequently. Women who use diaphragms for birth control also may be at higher risk, as are women who use spermicidal agents, because these products can also irritate the urethra. After a woman reaches menopause, UTIs may become more common because tissues of the vagina, urethra and the base of the bladder become thinner and more fragile from a loss of estrogen.

Treatment:
If your symptoms are typical of a UTI and you're normally in good health, your first line of treatment should be antibiotic’s. The type of antibiotic you will receive and for how long all depends on your health condition and the type of bacteria found in your urine. When being prescribed any antibiotic it is always helpful to remember to inform your doctor of any medications you are taking at the moment as well as allergies, so that the best treatment may be selected for you.

• Drink plenty of liquids especially water. Cranberry juice is also a good liquid to drink because it has infection-fighting properties. However, don't drink cranberry juice if you're taking the blood-thinning medication Warfarin, because this drug can lead to bleeding.
• When you have to urinate, do so avoid retaining your urine for a long time after you feel the urge.
• Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse as well as drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
• Always wipe from front to back. This is important both after urinating and after a bowel movement, because it prevents bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
• Don’t use fragranced feminine products. Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.

When treated promptly and properly, UTIs rarely lead to complications. But left untreated, a urinary tract infection can become something more serious than just uncomfortable symptoms. Untreated UTIs can lead to acute or chronic kidney infections (pyelonephritis), which can permanently damage your kidneys. Women who have UTIs while pregnant may also have an increased risk of delivering low birth weight or premature infants. Making it very important to know your body, as well as see your doctor regularly. It is also important that when you go see your doctor you ask questions about how to prevent UTIs from recurring. Most importantly if you are given antibiotics make sure you take the entire prescription as directed, in order to completely rid your body of the infection.