Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common condition where bacteria enters the urethra and infects the urinary tract of individuals. This bacteria is found on the skin or enters through the rectum, resulting in infection in the tract. The bladder infection, called cystitis, is one of the most common UTIs. UTIs are curable with the right care given at the right time. Here are some key details about this health condition:
UTI symptoms
One can detect UTI on the basis of certain typical symptoms of the conditions, including:
Burning sensation during urination
Due to the bladder getting infected, it becomes particularly painful to urinate. Pain during urination is one of the earliest signs that a person is developing a UTI within their body. People who experience this symptom should not ignore it, as the disease can cause serious health issues, especially if the bacteria travels to the kidneys.
Constant urge to urinate
Studies have found that a UTI tends to put pressure on the bladder, resulting in the need to empty the bladder immediately. However, when affected individuals go to the toilet to relieve themselves, they are unable to urinate much or at all in some cases.
Causes of UTIs
A urinary tract infection can be caused by various factors. Some of these are discussed as follows:
Kidney stones
Stones in the kidney affect the way the organ and one’s urinary system operate. In many cases, kidney stones are the precursor to people developing infections in the lower part of their diaphragm, and these infections then cause issues like UTIs. Essentially, any obstruction in the outflow of urine from the body (something that a kidney stone directly causes) results in UTI as a direct consequence.
Usage of a urinary catheter
Urinary catheters are used for people whose body and urethra cannot physically expel urine from their system. To avoid an accumulation of urine, healthcare experts attach a pipe called a catheter directly to their bladder to collect urine from there. The other end of this pipe is connected to a urine bag in order to collect the fluid and drain it later. This pipe that travels through a person’s urethra and urinary tract all the way up to their bladder can have germs and bacteria on it and lead to a UTI in such cases.
UTI treatment options
Depending upon the case, doctors prescribe remedies to relieve the pain and rid the body of the UTI-causing bacteria. Additionally, people need to drink several liters of water every day until their symptoms subside and continue maintaining an adequate water intake even after. Drinking large amounts of water cleanses the body and the urinary tract of the bacteria. The two clear indicators that UTI has been cured are the absence of a reddish bloody tinge from a person’s urine and a lack of difficulty expelling urine routinely from the body.
