Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Definition

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that usually occurs when bacteria enter the opening of the urethra and multiply in the urinary tract. Women are most at risk of developing a UTI. In fact, half of all women will develop a UTI during their lifetimes, and many will experience more than one. Some women seem are more prone to repeated infections than others and for them it can be a frustrating battle.

Causes

The most common cause of UTI is bacteria from the bowel that live on the skin near the rectum or in the vagina which can spread and enter the urinary tract through the urethra. Certain people are more likely to get UTIs. Women tend to get them more often because their urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. Elderly people (especially those in nursing homes) and people with diabetes also get more UTIs.

Other bacteria that cause urinary tract infections include Staphylococcus saprophyticus in most of the 5 to 15% of cases, Chlamydia trachomatis, and Mycoplasma hominis. Men and women infected with chlamydia trachomatis or mycoplasma hominis can transmit the bacteria to their partner during sexual intercourse, causing Urinary tract infection (UTI).

Symptoms

Symptoms of Urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection are not easy to miss and include a strong urge to urinate that cannot be delayed which is followed by a sharp pain or burning sensation in the urethra when the urine is released. Mostly very little urine is released and the urine that is released may be bloody. The urge to urinate recurs quickly and soreness may occur in the lower abdomen, back, or sides. Common symptoms of lower urinary tract infections : -

Painful urination
Increased urinary frequency/urgency
Awakening at night to urinate
Tenderness or heaviness in the lower abdomen
Blood in the urine
Foul smelling urine
Urine appears cloudy

Treatment

Urethritis in men and women can be caused by the same bacteria as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, people with symptoms of STDs (vaginal or penile discharge, for example) should be treated with appropriate antibiotics. Drugs most commonly recommended for simple UTIs include amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrodantin), trimethoprim (Proloprim) and the antibiotic combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra).

In children, cystitis should be treated promptly with antibiotics to protect their developing kidneys. In the elderly, prompt treatment is recommended due to the greater chances of fatal complications.
Adult females with potential for or early involvement of the kidneys, urinary tract abnormalities, or diabetes are usually given a 5 to 7 day course of antibiotics.

Alien writes for Woman health . He also writes for family health and you might be interested in urinary tract infection treatment .


Hot Topics In Diseases and Conditions

    Ouch My Aching Wrists: No More Keyboarding Or Golf

    You may have heard either experienced computer users or serious golfers lamenting that Carpal Tunnel Syndrome has affected them big time. Just what is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and how can I prevent it f...

    Causes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

    Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic condition but in spite of extensive research, our understanding of the causative elements are still embryonic. The symptoms are different in individual sufferers ...

    How White Noise Can Help You To Sleep

    Surprisingly, only 5% of people with sleep disorders are diagnosed and treated. Some people would rather cope with their sleeping inability rather than to pay the high cost of treatment and doctor's f...

    Understanding Crohn's Disease

    Crohn's disease manifests itself in the bowels and negatively impacts your digestive tract. It is an inflammatory disease that causes some degree of stomach pain and weight loss in most patients; and ...

    Ehrlichioses - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    Definition

    Ehrlichioses are tick-borne infections which are cause an abrupt onset of fever, chills, headache, and a general feeling of illness (malaise). Different species of ehrlichiae inhabit diff...

    Myasthenia Gravis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease affecting the neuromuscular junction and producing weakness of voluntary muscles. It is a chronic disease. The disorder mostly happen between the ages of 20 ...

    Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

    Definition

    Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common infection that usually occurs when bacteria enter the opening of the urethra and multiply in the urinary tract. Women are most at risk of develop...

    Natural Remedy for Heartburn - Some Tips

    If you suffer from infrequent heartburn, there may be no need to you to take conventional medications that may be prescribed by your doctor. Of course, if you suffer from heartburn more than twice a w...

    Osteoporosis: Can You Get It From Your Arthritis Medication?

    Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become weak and brittle. Although many individuals get this condition simply as they age, others will face it due to other situations including those li...

    How To Treat Vertigo

    Vertigo is a disease which manifests sudden postural imbalance and dizziness. The person may suddenly feel the symptoms but will get back to their normal state after the episode of vertigo. However ve...

    Lupron And Endometriosis What You Need To Know

    Lupron and endometriosis is something a woman can consider if she has been properly diagnosed by her doctor, and knows that the symptoms she is suffering are caused by endometriosis and not interstiti...

    Endometriosis And Interstitial Cystitis

    Endometriosis and interstitial cystitis (IC) have similar symptoms, making it easy for one to be mistaken for the other. In fact, sometimes women who have endometriosis and undergo a hysterectomy mist...

Most Recent Diseases and Conditions Supplements

Interesting Today:

Most Recent Diseases and Conditions Blogs:

Releated to Diseases and Conditions:

Diseases and Conditions Links:

Diseases and Conditions Diseases and Conditions Rss feeds.