The urinary tract consists of the ureters, bladder, urethra and the kidneys. The main function of the urinary tract is to eliminate waste products from the body through urine. When bacteria such as E. coli backs its way into the urethra, it can multiply and a urinary tract infection (UTI) can develop.
Significance
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common bodily infections. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, UTIs account for approximately 8.3 million doctor's visits each year. Adult women are more susceptible to UTIs than men because the urethra in women is short.
Symptoms
When you get a UTI, in some cases there are no symptoms at all. Symptoms that appear are mostly related to the urine. You can experience pain and a burning sensation in the urethra and bladder while urinating, or experience a frequent urge to urinate.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are prescription medications that are used to treat an infection in the body. Because UTIs are an infection, these drugs are a first line of defense in treatment. Examples of these are amoxicillin, levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin and ciprofloxacin. These are powerful enough to get rid of the symptoms within a few weeks, but it's recommended to take them for the whole course that they were prescribed to ensure the infection is gone.
Identification
If a urinary tract infection becomes really severe, you may be admitted to a hospital. When this occurs, antibiotics are still used but administered intravenously.
Home Remedies
While antibiotics are being taken, there are some things you can do at home to make the pain and discomfort more tolerable. Beverages that contain caffeine--such as soda and coffee--should be avoided, along with soft drinks made with citrus juices. These can exacerbate your symptoms and irritate the bladder. Water should be consumed in high amounts to flush out bacteria and dilute the urine. Use a heating pad to reduce bladder pressure and discomfort.
Prevention/Solution
There are preventive measures for women that can be taken to help reduce the chances of getting a urinary tract infection: Drink plenty of water daily, wipe from front to back, avoid tub baths, don't hold back the urge to urinate, and avoid scented feminine products.
