Multiple Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are very common; nearly 8 million to 10 million people are diagnosed with it annually. Most of the time, the symptoms associated with the infection are pretty mild and some don't even know they have it. A lot don't even seek medical attention. Antibiotics are definitely necessary for those who have severe symptoms. Not many people take urinary tracts seriously, but they are indeed something that should be checked by a physician.

UTI

• A urinary tract infection, also known as UTI, can occur in the bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys. These areas all work together to filter waste from the blood. The waste is disposed of as urine, which comes out through the urethra. When one of the four areas becomes infected with bacteria, a UTI takes place. Most of the time, the infection begins in the lower urinary tract where the bladder and urethra are located. When this is left untreated, the infection will travel to the kidneys and ureters. Women who are menstruating and women who have regular sexual activity are more likely to get a UTI.

Causes

• There are various ways a urinary tract infection can occur. The main cause of UTIs is from bacterium that enters through the urinary tract into the body. This bacterium is called E. Coli, which is known to cause about 80 percent of the urinary tract infections. E. Coli can be found in the colon and sometimes exits through the bowels. At times E. Coli is present on the skin around the anus and can enter into the body through the urethra. This is why it's important for women to wipe from the front to the back.

  Other bacteria that can cause a UTI are Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma hominis, which are sexually transmitted. Wearing tight pants, having sexual intercourse, riding a bike, washing the private area with scented soap, eating spicy foods, using powder on the genitals, drinking soda and alcohol can all play a role in the development of urinary tract infections. Some infections even take place due to taking bubble baths and using shower gels.

Risks

• There are some people who never experience a UTI, but many others do multiple times throughout their life. Some men and women are more prone to getting a UTI multiple times, such as those who are born with urinary tract abnormalities. These individuals are also likely to suffer from cysts, stones and other kidney disorders. Men who have enlarged prostates have a higher risk of getting UTIs as well. Those who need a catheter due to short term or long term kidney problems may obtain UTI caused by the bacteria located on the tube.

Symptoms

• There are various symptoms associated with a UTI. Each individual is different. Some people don't pay any attention to the small signs associated with a mild case of UTI. Most of the time, it will clear away on its own without medical treatment. Then with the more severe cases of UTI, the symptoms aren't so easy to ignore. The symptoms that are found in adults with UTI include low back pain; bloody urine; cloudy, yellow, foul urine; frequent urination; chills and nausea; severe back pain near kidneys; and pain/burning while urinating. Identifying symptoms in children and babies can be difficult. In children, symptoms include diarrhea, loss of appetite, crying, foul smelling urine, bloody urine and fever.

Treatment

• There are various types of treatment available for UTI. It usually takes between 1 and 10 days to cure. Antibiotics can be used to fight the infection; these are prescribed by a doctor. Home remedies can be done to fight mild infections as well, including drinking lots of water or cranberry juice (flushes out the bacteria), avoiding sexual intercourse and taking ibuprofen (for pain and inflammation). Drinking lots of fluids can help prevent UTIs in the future.