What Are the Causes of Uninary Tract Infection?

Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections that humans encounter. Although the urinary tract is designed to avoid infection, bacteria still sometimes enter the system.

About

• Urinary tract infections are common and treatable but often painful. Burning during urination, exhaustion and the sensation of being unable to urinate are the typical symptoms of these types of infections.

Facts

• Millions of people suffer from urinary tract infections each year. One of every five women will contract a urinary tract infection at least once.

Causes

• Urinary tract infections are caused when bacteria enter the urethra. Once in the urethra, the bacteria cause an infection that will increase in severity without treatment.

Risk Factors

• More women than men contract urinary tract infections. Individuals with urinary tract problems, kidney stones, catheters or an enlarged prostate gland are at high risk for contracting urinary tract infections.

Treatment

• Urinary tract infections respond effectively to antibiotics. Various pain medications and use of a heating pad are effective ways to manage the pain of a urinary tract infection until the antibiotics completely treat it.