A urinary tract infection, or UTI, can affect any of the organs of the urinary system including the kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. Most infections of the urinary tract occur in the lower part of the system, in the urethra or bladder, according to MayoClinic.com. UTIs are more common in women than in men.
Symptoms
A urinary tract infection may be asymptomatic, especially if it is mild and limited to the lower urinary tract. For those who do show symptoms, the most common signs of a UTI are a burning sensation when urinating and a strong urge to urinate frequently but being unable to release more than a tiny amount of urine. Other symptoms may include blood in the urine, cloudy urine or bacteria seen in the urine when viewed under a microscope, abdominal pain or pressure, fever, nausea and pain in the back and side.
Causes
UTIs are normally caused by bacteria that is normally present in the body but which has moved into the urinary tract. In many cases, this bacteria is E. coli, which is normally present in the digestive tract. Sexually transmitted bacterial infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea may also cause a UTI.
Treatment
According to MayoClinic.com, antibiotics such as amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are used to treat UTIs. Antibiotics often clear up the infection within a week or two. Pain medication called urinary tract analgesics that ease the burning sensation during urination are often prescribed. Recurrent UTIs may be treated with longer courses of antibiotics or even intravenous antibiotics for persistent cases.
Complications
UTIs in the lower urinary tract are generally not dangerous, although they can be extremely uncomfortable or painful. A UTI that spreads up into the kidneys or ureters, however, may lead to serious complications. A kidney infection may cause permanent damage to the function of the kidneys. In some people with weakened immune systems, a UTI can lead to sepsis, an infection of the blood that can sometimes be fatal.
Prevention
Drinking a lot of fluids and consuming cranberry juice or supplements are dietary ways to help prevent a UTI, according to Medline Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health. Also, women who experience frequent UTIs should avoid tight clothing and choose cotton underwear instead of synthetics. Other methods of prevention include taking showers instead of baths, using sanitary pads instead of tampons and urinating before and after sex. Women should also be sure to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to avoid spreading bacteria to the urethra.
