What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

When it comes to common issues your urinary tract may have, a urinary tract infection or a UTI is among the most common on the list. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urinary tract infections account for over eight million healthcare visits each year.

Anyone can contract this kind of infection, both adults and kids, men and women, but it’s most common in adult women. It is estimated that about 80% of women will get a UTI at least once in their lifetime. Within that group, 20-30% will suffer from recurring UTI’s. So, what is a urinary tract infection, how do you get one, and what can you do about it? Let’s take a look.

What Does a Urinary Tract Infection Mean?

By definition, a urinary tract infection is an infection that takes place in the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. The reason it is found in these areas is because this is the path the urine travels through. In most cases your urine is sterile, but from time to time you may get a bacterial infection that makes its way into your urine. From there it can grow and start to spread into the urinary tract.

In the majority of cases, the bacteria that is to blame is E.coli or Escherichia coli. This bacterium lives around the anus and in the colon (bowel). When you urinate it usually empties out the bladder, which in turn gets rid of the bacteria. Once the bacteria multiplies, though, urinating isn’t enough.

The most common reason people end up with this infection is from sexual intercourse, or through wiping the wrong way (this relates specifically to women). It is suggested you wipe from front to back so as not to spread the bacteria from the anus closer to the urinary tract. There are other causes as well such as pregnancy, menopause, a suppressed immune system, bowel incontinence, and diabetes.

What are the Signs and Symptoms?

The most common signs of a UTI are abdominal pains and muscle aches, vomiting, nausea, a burning or painful sensation when you urinate, urine that smells or is cloudy, blood in the urine, and a frequent and strong urge to urinate.

What is the Treatment Plan?

Urinary tract infections aren’t something you want to ignore as they can get quite serious very fast. In most cases, antibiotics are given to fight off the infection. If you think you may be suffering from a urinary tract infection, be sure to contact us today in order to schedule an appointment with the best urologist doctor in New York City.