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Lower Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are common inflammations of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys and the ureters, as well as the bladder and the urethra. Lower urinary tract infections are those inflammations that affect the bladder and/or the urethra. These infections tend to be less serious than the upper urinary tract infections and therefore easily treated.

  1. Upper Urinary Tract and Lower Urinary Tract

    • The main function of the urinary system is to remove the waste buildup from the circulatory system. The upper urinary tract, which is the kidneys and the ureters, is responsible for filtering waste products from the bloodstream and using them to create urine. The lower urinary tract, the bladder and urethra, are responsible for storing the urine and then releasing it from body.

    Causes

    • The reason that lower urinary tract infections are so much more common than upper urinary tract infections is because almost all of these infections begin there. Bacteria that are normally found on the skin or in the intestinal tract are spread into the urethra, the tube through which urine is pushed from body. Most of the time, your immune system takes care of the bacteria, but when it fails, an infection develops. The bacteria reproduce and travel up the urinary tract, irritating the lining as they do.

    Symptoms

    • Lower urinary tract infection symptoms often come with pain or discomfort when urinating. You may experience a burning sensation when you urinate. A lower urinary tract infection often comes with burning or pain in the pelvis as well. You may feel the urge to urinate frequently, but be unable to let out more than a little bit of urine at a time. The urine that does come out may be dark and cloudy. It may also be smellier or more pungent than usual.

    Treatment

    • Lower urinary tract infections are generally less serious than upper urinary tract infections. This is because the bacteria has not traveled as far up your urinary tract and has done less damage to your urinary system. Lower urinary tract infections can often be treated at home, using over-the-counter medicines or ingesting a quantity of cranberry juice while your immune system takes care of the bacteria. In some cases, it may be wiser to have your health care provider prescribe prescription antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. In either case, if your symptoms have not cleared up in a few days, your infection may have worsened. Contact your health care provider if this happens.

    Prevention

    • Lower urinary tract infections can be prevented through good hygiene. Keep your genital area clean and dry. Wash your genitals daily and after sexual intercourse with mild soap and water. Urinating after sex can also help prevent any bacteria that may have been spread into your urethra during the act from starting an infection. Avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear or pants. You can also prevent lower urinary tract infections by promoting good urinary health through drinking cranberry juice or with vitamin C supplements.

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