Everything you need to know about Urinary Tract Infection

Team Udayavani, Mar 30, 2021, 10:54 AM IST

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) affect people around the world but most adult women suffer this common form-cystitis which affects the bladder. Apart from that men and children also develop UTIs but in fewer numbers.

Urinary Tract Infections are a bacterial infection that affects multiple organs in the urinary system, including the urethra, the bladder, the ureters, the kidneys and prostate in men.

Depending on the location affected, UTI is termed as cystitis (bladder), urethritis (urethra), or pyelonephritis (kidneys), and prostatitis for the prostate (swelling or inflammation of the prostate gland) which sometimes results from a bacterial infection that has passed through the urinary tract.

Almost 95 percent of urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria in the affected organ. In most cases, Escherichia coli, an intestinal bacteria commonly found in humans is the culprit.

In older people and kids, UTIs have no symptoms or cause only fever but others may experience pain or a burning sensation when urinating and this may indicate a urinary tract infection.

Your urine may provide clues as to the condition of your urinary system and may be cloudy, dark or bloody, or even have a strong odor.

UTI can cause pain or pressure in the lower abdomen and this sensation is accompanied by a frequent urge to pee.

Most UTIs are treated with antibiotics and the length of treatment depends on a variety of factors, such as the type of bacteria, the rate of recurrence, and the person’s health. Drinking water is very important while taking antibiotics for urinary tract infections. Frequent urination will also make it easier to flush out the bacteria.