A UTI, the acronym for urinary tract infection, is one of those pesky urological problems that many people (especially women) will experience, and likely never forget, at least once in their lifetime. In fact, UTIs are responsible for millions of trips to the doctor’s office every year. Understanding why a UTI occurs can go a long way towards preventing the pain and discomfort that can accompany them.
First, a bit on an anatomy lesson is required in order to understand how problems of the urinary tract can arise. Urine is the body’s liquid waste produced by the high-powered filtration system in the kidneys. From the kidneys, urine travels to the bladder, where it’s stored until it’s expelled from the body through the urethra, when you urinate.
[See: 16 Health Screenings All Women Need.]
What Causes a UTI?
In the simplest terms, a UTI can occur when bacteria enter the urethra and travel to the bladder or kidneys. Every human on the planet has a significant number of bacteria on the skin surrounding the rectum and genitals. In women specifically, the urethra is shorter than the male urethra and is also closer to the rectum, thus increasing the chances of bacteria entering the urinary tract and causing an infection. Sexual intercourse introduces even more bacteria to the area, especially if a diaphragm or spermicidal foam is used for birth control.
What Are the Symptoms of a UTI?
For most healthy people who properly hydrate, urine should be nearly odorless or, in some cases, only have a slight scent of ammonia to it. Sometimes, one of the early signs of an impending UTI is a distinctly unusual smell or cloudy appearance of your urine. If you suddenly notice a foul or otherwise unusual smell to it, this may indicate a urinary tract infection or urinary stones, especially if the smell is also accompanied by a cloudy appearance. These signs warrant a trip to your doctor for evaluation. If you can catch it early, there’s a better chance of treating it before more unpleasant symptoms arise.
Those less-than-pleasant UTI symptoms may include abdominal pain, a burning feeling while urinating and/or the urge to urinate frequently, even if the output is minimal or non-existent. You may also find you have less control over your bladder during a UTI episode. Urinary tract infections that have reached the kidneys can include the above referenced symptoms and are frequently also accompanied by back pain and fever.
At the first sign of UTI symptoms, it’s important to get in touch with a health provider as soon as possible. Especially for expectant mothers, a UTI can be dangerous for both mother and child. So, getting in touch with your OB/GYN right away is prudent. To diagnose a UTI, the doctor will require a urine sample, which will be examined for the presence of specific bacteria or white blood cells, which would indicate an infection.
[See: What Color Should My Pee Be? A Stream of Urine Questions, Answered.]
How Are UTIs Treated?
In the case of a bladder infection, these UTIs are usually treated easily with a course of antibiotics and instructions to drink plenty of fluids. In the rarer case that the bacteria reach the kidneys, UTIs can sometimes be tougher to treat and the infection can require more intensive treatment. In more serious cases of urinary tract infection, antibiotics may need to be administered intravenously and then followed by a course of oral antibiotics for several days to weeks. In all cases, the duration of the treatment will depend largely upon the severity of the infection. And any time antibiotics have been prescribed to you by a doctor (for any type of infection, really), it is extremely important to finish all the medication at the precise dosages prescribed to ensure the infection doesn’t return.
How Can UTIs Be Prevented?
One of the most effective ways to prevent a UTI is to engage in proper hygiene.
Thankfully, simple steps like urinating after sex, regularly washing the genital area with a mild soap and warm water, and for women, wiping front to back when you use the restroom can help to keep bacteria out of the urethra. If a diaphragm or spermicidal foam is the birth control method you use and you’ve had a problem with UTIs, talk to your doctor about other possible birth control options, or remain vigilant about hygiene after intercourse.
Another fantastic and super-easy tip for preventing a UTI is to hydrate. Making sure your body has the fluids it needs at the levels needed is the key to so many health attributes, and optimal urological health is one of them. Lastly, you should never “hold” your urine for too long or rush through urination. Be sure to “go” as soon as you feel the urge, and make a conscious effort to empty the bladder every time you urinate. Both actions can increase the chances of expelling UTI-causing germs from your body, thereby further reducing your risk of developing an infection.
[See: 10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Prostate Cancer.]
Though you’ll likely never forget a UTI if you’ve ever suffered one, if you haven’t, I sincerely hope this information will help you steer clear for as long as possible.
More from U.S. News
What Color Should My Pee Be? A Stream of Urine Questions, Answered
10 Seemingly Innocent Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
What to Eat, Drink and Do to Relieve Constipation
Your Guide to UTIs originally appeared on usnews.com
