Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)- Symptoms, Causes & Prevention
The human body includes the most sophisticated and complex systems within. Body organs function together with these systems to run all the essential processes properly. But, a slight problem or issue can badly affect the entire inner system of the body. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one such issue that creates severe problems during urination and can harm kidneys as well. In this writeup, we will have a detailed discussion on UTI: everything you need to know.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection?
UTI is an infection that develops within the urinary system because of microbes that travel to the bladder via the urethra. While in some serious cases, microbes can enter the ureter and kidneys. The infection in the upper tract is rarely seen, but it affects the urinary system badly. Bacterias are the foremost reason behind UTIs, while fungus and viruses are other significant causes. Proper sanitation can prevent UTIs by eliminating these harmful bacteria, fungus, and viruses as a small number of microbes are enough to create an infection.
What Causes A UTI?
Bacteria and microbes are the most common reason to create urinary tract infections as they enter the urethra. But, there are certain conditions and factors that expose an individual to such infections and increase the risk of UTIs, such as:
- Previous history of UTIs
- Being Diabetic
- Longer bed rests
- Delicate immune system
- Specific types of Cancer
- Excessive Sweating
- Pregnancy
Signs And Symptoms of UTIs
Those who have experienced UTI would know the common symptoms and signs that indicate such infection. UTIs create itching and skin irritation excessively. But there are many more symptoms of urinary tract infection, such as:
- The infectious individual will feel the need to urinate more frequently
- The infectious individual will feel pressure in their lower abdomen
- Burning sensation while urinating
- Urine colour will be cloudy or dark
- Bloody Urine
- Increasing Tiredness
- Shakiness
Urinary Tract Infection in Men
Urinary tract infection covers those body parts that create and eject the urine from the body. In a man’s body, these body parts are the bladder, ureters, urethra and kidneys. Ureters and urethra are tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder and from the bladder to the tip of the penis. The existence of any harmful bacteria within the urinary tract can be a reason for infection.
Urinary Tract Infection in Women
Women are more prone to urinary tract infections than men because of the shorter urethra and its close proximity to the vagina and anus. Therefore, women are suggested to develop a habit of proper sanitization right after urination as the bacteria can easily travel from the urethra to the anus. As soon as the bacteria enter the urethra, they can quickly reach the bladder and build up the infection. To prevent UTIs, it is crucial to maintain proper hygiene and changes in lifestyle. When you identify any symptoms of UTIs, you must seek treatment as soon as possible.
What To Do If Any Symptoms Found?
When you identify any symptoms of UTIs, visit your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will diagnose whether it is a UTI or not through a urine test. Through this, your healthcare provider will examine the urine culture to find out if there are any microbes that exist. This test is crucial to identify the main reason behind the infection and to determine which treatment method will be more suitable for you. So, going through a urine test is the quickest and safest way to prevent UTIs.
To get accurate results from a urine test, it is recommended to collect the urine sample from the middle of your urine stream. Thus, you will ensure that any bacteria from your skin is not entered into the sample.
Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection
If you have clear symptoms of UTIs, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. Moreover, if you wish to eliminate any probability of such infection, you should simply follow the below mentioned preventive measures.
- Drink enough water, it will allow the urethra to flush out bacteria completely
- Don’t hold urine for too long, empty your bladder when you need to do
- Wipeout from front to back properly
- Prefer showering instead of a bath
- Clean your genitals before and after sex
- Keep your genital area dry
- Use lose innerwear with proper ventilation
Sanitization and cleaning your genitals is a good habit and one can prevent UTIs by practising good hygiene. Use these antibacterial and antifungal soaps for optimum security from harmful bacteria.
Takeaway
The urinary tract system is a vital system of our body that keeps functioning day by day and ensures your body has the elements that are good for it and ejects the waste. Nowadays, UTIs are the common health issues that are found in a majority of individuals. Infection around the urinary tract area must not be overlooked and needs quick treatment to restrict the effect of infection.