What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

The kidneys, ureters, the bladder and urethra make up the urinary tract. A urinary tract infection or UTI can be caused by a parasite, fungi or bacteria attacking any part that makes up the urinary tract. UTI’s can cause problems ranging from pain or burning while urinating, to organ damage to even death.
It has been documented as per research that urinary tract infections could possibly be contagious as well, and it is advisable for sex partners to avoid relations until the UTI has cleared out in its totality. Sexual intercourse is a possible trigger of UTI, as a bacteria causing UTI may be introduced into the urinary tract during the act of sex. Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, such as those of foul smell and pain, are common to UTI’s as well.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body, and it is through this particular tube that the germs usually find their way into your system. The germs that usually cause UTI’s are inhabitants of the large intestine and can also be found in the stool. Once these germs have travelled up the urethra, they can very conveniently find their way to the bladder and the kidneys and cause an infection. The most common cause of UTI however is the E.Coli bacteria that are suspended in the colon. 

Research shows that women are more prone to UTI’s than men, possibly because they have a smaller urethra tube which makes it easier for the bacteria to travel up to the bladder and the kidneys and infect these organs.  Furthermore, research suggests that individuals who do not consume sufficient amounts of fluids, have diabetes or are pregnant are more likely to get an infection.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections

The symptoms and signs displayed by individuals who are suffering from urinary tract infections may vary on the basis of gender, age and the location of the infection. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms which can potentially clear in a span of a week,while others may experience severe symptoms lasting for much longer time duration. The major urinary tract infection symptoms include the following:

• Pain or burning during urinating
• Feelings of wanting to urinate quite often but not passing much
• Tenderness of heaviness in the belly
• Cloudy or foul smelling urine
• Pain in the kidney region
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fever and chills

If you are suffering from these symptoms, it is highly recommended that you call you doctor as the above stated are the standard and the most obvious urinary tract infection symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infection Treatments

A urinary tract infection treatment that is most commonly used and preferred by doctors is that of taking Antibiotics. The antibiotics prescribed by your doctor will be specific to the kind of urinary tract infection that you are experiencing in terms of what organ has been affected. Hence, it is extremely important that you consult your doctor ASAP in case you are experiencing any of the above mentioned symptoms, and follow your doctor’s prescription religiously. Be mindful of finishing the prescribed dosage even if the symptoms have cleared out and you are feeling better. Other than that it is advisable to drink plenty of water and urinate often, never holding it back, so that the kidneys can function to their maximum capacity in a healthy way.