You Won’t Believe How Common This Infection Is: Causes & Signs of UTI
Better Care, Happier Patients: Achieve Both with Cellma’s Online Patient Portal
February 22, 2024
Is it More Than Cramps? Exploring the Causes and Symptoms of Endometriosis
March 5, 2024
Imagine waking up with an uncontrollable urge to urinate. Each trip to the washroom is associated with a burning or throbbing pain. The pain prevents you from focusing on your work or daily chores. Basic tasks such as sitting or walking now feel like daunting tasks. Interrupted sleep patterns due to frequent washroom visits are now taking a toll on your mental health. You may have to cancel social plans with your friends. Still wondering what we are talking about? Well, some of you might have guessed it right! All these problems can be caused by urinary tract infections (UTIs). This blog focuses on the causes, prevention, and signs of UTI. Read till the end to empower yourself with all the information you need to deal with this infection.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
UTIs are bacterial infections that impact any part of your urinary system. The parts of your urinary system include the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. They mainly occur when the bacteria enter your urinary tract via the urethra. This can lead to inflammation and infection.
Women are at higher risk of UTIs as their urethras are shorter. This allows the bacteria to reach the bladder easily. If signs of UTI are ignored, it can lead to more severe complications like kidney stones or even life-threatening infections requiring hospitalization.
If you’ve had a urinary tract infection (UTI) in the past, you should know you’re at a higher risk of getting another one. Also, if you’re pregnant, you might be more likely to get a UTI due to the changes in your body during this time. If you have any structural abnormalities in your urinary tract, it can create an environment where bacteria can easily grow, increasing the risk of UTIs.
What are the Causes of UTI?
Before delving into the signs of UTI, it’s crucial to learn about the causes of UTIs. Some of the major ones are listed below:
- Bacteria: One of the most common causes of UTI is the presence of bacteria in your urinary tract that enters through your urethra.
- Sexual activity: Sexual intercourse can introduce bacteria to your urinary tract, making the chances of infections higher.
- Poor hygiene: Improper genital hygiene can cause the spread of bacteria from the perineal area to your urethra.
- Menopause: Changes in the hormonal levels at the time of menopause can affect the acidity of women’s vaginas. This makes them more prone to UTIs and bacterial growth.
- Structural Problems: Structural issues in your urinary tract, like enlarged prostate glands in men and kidney stones, can obstruct the urine flow and lead to UTIs.
- Weak Immune Systems: Conditions such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes can lower your body’s ability to combat bacterial infections. This increases the chances of getting UTIs.
What are Some Tips to Prevent UTIs?
UTIs can be frustrating, but following some tips can prevent them.
- Drinking plenty of water is important to help your body flush out harmful bacteria.
- After sex, pee to avoid infections.
- Wear comfy cotton undies to keep dry and prevent infections.
- Use gentle, scent-free soaps and skip harsh chemicals.
- Take quick showers rather than baths to lower infection risk.
What are the Signs of UTI?
UTIs can have many uncomfortable symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the following signs of UTI, seeking help from a healthcare professional is vital.
- Frequent Urination: Feeling like you must pee a lot, even if only a little comes out.
- Burning Sensation: Pain or burning when you pee.
- Urgency: Suddenly feeling like you must pee.
- Cloudy or Bloody Urine: Pee that looks weird, like it’s cloudy or has blood in it.
- Strong Odor: Pee that smells bad.
- Pelvic Pain or Pressure: Feeling uncomfortable in your lower belly or pelvis.
- Fatigue or Weakness: Feeling tired or weak.
- Fever or Chills: Sometimes, UTIs can lead to fever and chills.
Some Interesting Facts About UTIs
- Did you know that in 2019, more than 404.6 million people worldwide suffered from UTIs? Unfortunately, this condition also caused nearly 236,786 deaths.
- UTIs are caused by bacteria, usually from your own gut, making their way up into your urinary tract.
- Brace yourselves, ladies. Did you know that around 40% of women are likely to experience a UTI during their lifetime, while only 12% of men are affected?
- While cranberry juice might taste great, research hasn’t proven it prevents UTIs till now.
- Some people are more prone to UTIs. If you get two or more within six months, you might have a “recurrent UTI.”
- UTIs aren’t contagious, so there is no need to worry about spreading them to your partner.
Conclusion
UTIs are a pretty common condition that can mess up your day-to-day life. But don’t worry, recognizing the signs of UTI early on can help you get the treatment you need in no time! And to avoid UTIs, it’s essential to stay hydrated and practice good hygiene habits. Just remember, seeking medical help for UTIs is super important to prevent any complications down the line. You can book an appointment at Cellmaflex with Dr. Lall Sawh and Dr. Satyendra Persaud to receive personalised assistance. So, take care of yourself, stay informed, and stay healthy!
Recommended websites for further reading:
NHS – Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Mayo Clinic – Urinary tract infection (UTI)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Urinary Tract Infection
WebMD – Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
The British Medical Journal – Urinary Tract Infection
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – Urinary tract infection
