Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that originates in your urinary system. UTIS are not only painful but they are extremely annoying. Serious complications can occur if the infection spreads to your kidneys.

Your urinary system includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, all of which play an important role in removing wastes from your body. Your kidneys are a pair of bean shaped organs that are located in your upper abdomen and filter the waste from your blood. Tubes known as ureters carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder where it is stored until it exits through the urethra. Any and all of these parts can become infected.

Women are much more likely to experience a UTI. Actually over half of all women will develop a UTI in their lifetime. Some women will experience UTIS multiple times. Thankfully there are many ways to cure the infection and regain proper function of your organs and muscles.

Some people don't develop any signs at all of having a UTI but common signs and symptoms include a strong and persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation while urinating, passing frequent but small amounts of liquid, as well as blood in the urine or cloudy urine with a strong odor.

Each different type of UTI may result in specific signs and symptoms depending on which area of your urinary tract has become infected by bacteria. Acute pyelonephritis is the infection of your kidneys and can cause symptoms such as upper back and flank pain, high fever, shaking chills, nausea, or vomiting.

Cystitis is the infection or inflammation of your bladder which may cause pelvic pressure, lower abdominal discomfort, frequent and painful urination, and urine with a strong odor. Urethritis is the infection or inflammation of the urethra and causes a burning sensation when urinating. Men may experience a penile discharge.

Many UTIS occur when bacteria has entered the urinary tract and has began to multiply. Your urinary system has natural ways of fighting infection which are designed to help stop the growth of bacteria and keep out other such microscopic invaders. There are certain factors that will increase your odds of getting a UTI.

Cystitis commonly occurs in women after sexual intercourse. However even girls and women who aren't sexually active are still susceptible to lower urinary tract infections simply because the anus is located so close to the urethra. In men urethritis is commonly a result of bacteria acquired through sexual contact. Such infections include gonorrhea and Chlamydia.

Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - information on health for you and your family. Read more about urinary tract infections. Get our health newsletter.