A urinary tract infection is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most infections affect the lower part of the urethra; That is, the bladder and urethra.
Women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men. If the infection is limited to the bladder, it can cause great discomfort and pain to the person, but it can develop into serious health problems if the urinary tract infection spreads to the kidneys.
Doctors usually treat UTIs with antibiotics, but you can take some steps to reduce your chances of developing a UTI from the beginning
Symptoms
Urinary tract infections do not cause symptoms in all cases. But when they cause symptoms, they may include:
An urgent desire to urinate that does not go away
Feeling of burning when urinating
Urinating small amounts frequently
Cloudy urine
Red, light pink, or cola color of urine, which are indicators of blood in the urine
Urine has a strong smell
Pelvic pain in women, especially in the middle of the pelvis and around the pubic bone area
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection may go unnoticed or may be confused with other conditions in older adults.
the reasons
A urinary tract infection usually occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to repel bacterial attacks, its defenses sometimes fail. When this happens, bacteria may settle there and grow into a full-blown urinary tract infection.
The most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI) mostly affects women and affects the bladder and urethra.
Cystitis: This type of urinary tract infection is usually caused by E. coli. Escherichia coli is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract. But sometimes, other types of bacteria are the cause.
Sexual intercourse may lead to cystitis, but sexual activity is not necessarily linked to infection. All women are at risk of developing cystitis, due to their structural composition. The urethra in women is located near the anus, and the urethral opening is located near the bladder. For this reason, it is easier for bacteria to enter. Around the anus Access to the bladder through the urethra.
Urethritis This type of urinary tract infection can occur when gastrointestinal bacteria spread from the anus and reach the urethra as well. Urethritis can result from a sexually transmitted infection. These infections include herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma. This can happen to women because the urethra is close to the vagina.
Causative factors:
Urinary tract infection is a disease that is common among women, as many of them are exposed to this infection more than once during their lives.
Risk factors for urinary tract infections in women include:
Anatomy of the female organs Women have shorter urethra than men; Therefore, bacteria travel less distance to reach the bladder.
Sexual activity Sexual activity increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Having sexual intercourse with a new person also increases the risk of infection.
Some types of contraception: Using female condoms to prevent pregnancy can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection. Using spermicides can also increase your risk of developing this infection.
Menopause After menopause, a decrease in the level of estrogen in the body causes changes in the urinary tract, making women more susceptible to infections.
Urinary system problems Children born with urinary tract problems may have trouble urinating. Urine may back up into the urethra, which can cause a urinary tract infection.
Blockages in the urinary tract Kidney stones or an enlarged prostate can cause urine to be retained in the bladder. As a result, the risk of urinary tract infection increases.
