Urinary Tract Infection is an infection of the urinary system and affects the urethra and bladder. The urinary act in the human body performs the function of storing the body’s liquid waste-urine and is inclusive of kidneys, bladder, and urethra. UTI is caused when bacteria enter our system from outside the body, causing issues such as infections and inflammation.
Women are at an increased risk of developing UTIs compared to men because of their anatomy. This is because, in women, the urethra is close to the anus, and the urethral opening is immediate to the bladder, making it easy for the bacteria to enter the urethra and slide up the bladder.
What are the symptoms of UTI?
UTI can cause the lining of the urinary tract to become red by making it inflamed, thereby leading to the following symptoms:
- A strong urge to urinate and a burning sensation when urinating
- Increased frequency of urination and change in color of urine such as red, bright pink, or pale
- Pelvic pain in women, followed by pain in the pubic bone and abdomen
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
What causes UTI?
The most common cause of UTI is when the urinary system is incapable of keeping the bacteria out, which causes the bacteria to enter the urinary tract through theurethra and further spread to the bladder. When these bacteria enter our system, they cause inflammation and infection and have the capacity to affect & infect our kidneys.
Below mentioned are the leading causes of the UTIs that mainly occur in women:
Bladder Infection
The E.coil-named bacteria, found in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is responsible for causing infection in the bladder more than 90% of the time.
Sexual Activity
Increased sexual activity and having sex with multiple partners increase the risk of developing UTI, especially in women. An important point to note is that all women are at an increased risk of bladder infections due to their anatomy.
Urethra Infection
Urethra infection occurs when bacteria are spread from the anus to the urethra. Additionally, it can also be caused by sexually transmitted diseases.
How to prevent UTI?
UTI can be easily prevented by doing the following:
- Drinking lots of water
- Urinating and cleaning the vaginal area after sexual activity
- Not using any cosmetic product near your genitals
- Cleaning your vagina from front to back and not the other way round
- Drinking a lot of cranberry juice
When to see the doctor?
If you have been diagnosed with UTI or have symptoms such as fever, back pain, vomiting, pain while peeing, pain in the lower abdomen, and so on, you must contact your healthcare provider. You may consult a Nephrologist; Nephrologists diagnose, treat, and cure chronic kidney problems; they also treat other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, fluid retention, UTI, and electrolyte and mineral imbalances which can affect our Kidneys. Your healthcare provider may perform some medical tests or put you on oral medications as and when needed. Nephrologists diagnose, treat, and cure chronic kidney problems; they also treat other health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, fluid retention, UTI, and electrolyte and mineral imbalances which can affect our Kidneys.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written after performing in-depth secondary research related to the topic from various articles, blogs, and journals which have expertise in writing for healthcare. If you have UTI or any symptoms associated with UTI, such as pain in the pelvic area, abdomen, fever, and so on, we advise you to book an appointment with the doctor.
