What is the Cause of Urinary Tract Infection?

There are more than 9000 known diseases that may impact humans. Hundreds of diseases out of those 9000 are highly common, and the United States also records millions of cases of These diseases every year.

Urinary tract infection is one of the prime examples of those common diseases, as we record more than 3,000,000 cases of the condition every year. The actual number of urinated tract infection patients could be way above 5,000,000 Americans.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States recommends Americans learn about the basics of different common diseases to prevent them in the first place.

Keeping that in mind, we are here to help you understand all the major causes of urinary tract infections so that you can prevent them in the first place and ensure your safety.

Major Causes of Urinary Tract Infection in Men and Women

Urinary tract infection is more common in women than in men. Several things play an equal part in women getting more infections as compared to men.

We have talked about all those major causes of urinary tract infections in both men and women in the below-given section. 

Take a deep look at all these causes to prevent the condition in the first place. 

Also Read: What is Urinary Tract Infection?

Sexual Activities

Sexual activities are one of the biggest causes of urinary tract infections in both men and women. Women are more vulnerable to developing a urinary tract infection after having intercourse with someone who does not follow high levels of hygiene.

To prevent urinary tract infections, everyone should make sure they are having intercourse with someone who maintains high levels of hygiene, and they are also limiting the number of sexual partners.

Along with women, men who perform anal sex should also be aware of urinary tract infections. A male who has an interest in the same sex is more vulnerable to developing these urinary tract infections.

Poor Hygiene

Maintaining poor levels of hygiene may also result in urinary tract infections. Women should make sure they are following a good hygiene routine which also includes wiping from front to back after using the toilet.

Due to female anatomy, women are more vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections with poor levels of hygiene.

Periods, Menopause, and Pregnancy

This cause of UTI is limited to women only. Men and people who identify as women can move ahead.

Along with poor levels of hygiene and sexual activities, women may also get urinary tract infections due to periods, menopause, and pregnancy.

During the menstrual cycle, every woman should make sure they are following high levels of hygiene as it’s high time for urinary tract infections to spread easily.

Similarly, women should also make sure they are taking good care of themselves as menopause and pregnancy may result in great hormonal changes, which may also cause urinary tract infections.

Enlarged Prostate Gland

This cause of UTI is limited to men only. 

Enlarged prostate glands may also increase the risk of different types of urinary tract infections. The size of the prostate gland may obstruct the flow of urine, which may result in urinary tract infections.

There could be several causes of the enlarged prostate gland, and we highly recommend everyone consult with their healthcare provider. 

Every man above the age of 50 is vulnerable to developing enlarged prostate glands and different kinds of urinary tract infections.

Urine Blockage

Urine blockage is not just limited to the enlarged prostate gland. Several things may play an equal part in recurring blockage, and we highly recommend everyone consult with their healthcare provider.

Kidney stone is one of the biggest causes of urine blockage. Everyone with kidney stones should consult you about tract infections with their healthcare provider. You should not ignore any symptoms of a urinary tract infection.

Urinary catheterization is another major cause of urine blockage which may result in urinary tract infections. 

Different Diseases

Different diseases and medical conditions may also increase the risk of urinary tract infections. People who are already struggling with any infection or those who have been declared immunocompromised are more vulnerable to developing different kinds of urinary tract infections.

If you are one of those people, we highly recommend you consult the probability of urinary tract infection with your healthcare provider.

Previous History

Your previous medical history may also result in urinary tract infections.

First of all, people who have been diagnosed with urinary tract infections may also get them again and again. 

Secondly, chronic medical conditions, including cancer and HIV, may also cause different infections, including urinary tract infections.

If you are struggling with any of the above-given conditions, we highly recommend you consult UTIs with your healthcare provider.

Also Read: What are the Urinary Tract Infections Home Remedies?

What is the Best Antibiotic for Urinary Tract Infection?

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection?

For self-diagnosis and early treatment of urinary tract infections, it’s important to learn about their causes and symptoms.

Till now, we have only learned the basic causes of urinary tract infections period now, and it is time for us to learn about its common symptoms as well.

There are different parts associated with the urinary system, and each part can have different symptoms. We have also mentioned symptoms of urinary tract infection in specific body parts in the below-given sections.

Common Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection Might Include:

• Pressure in the lower pelvis
• Urgent need to urinate at night
• Abnormal urine color
• Foul-smelling urine
• Pain in the side of the abdomen and pelvic area
• Frequent urination
• Pain while urination
• Nausea and vomiting

These are some of the most common symptoms of urinary tract infection. As we have already discussed, different factors may influence the common list of symptoms. 

The Symptoms of Infection in Different Parts Might Include:

Kidney

• High fever
• Shaking
• Chills
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Backend side pain

Bladder

• Pelvic pressure 
• blood in urine
• Frequent urination
• Painful urination
• Lower belly discomfort

Urethra

• unwanted discharge 
• burning with urination

These are some of the most common symptoms of urinary tract infection. If you are experiencing any of the given symptoms, we have to recommend you consult with your healthcare provider and try to get early treatment.

Also Read: What are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?

How Does a Woman Get a Urinary Tract Infection?

What is the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection?

Let’s take a quick look at the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections. Along with basic information about the disease, it’s also important for you to learn about the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections.

Diagnosis

Whenever you visit your healthcare provider for the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection, your healthcare expert is going to use a combination of your medical history, laboratory tests, and physical exam to diagnose the condition.

Your healthcare expert will take a deep look at all the symptoms you have. Usually, people have a lot of symptoms when they visit their healthcare provider for the diagnosis.

Urinary tract infection is a highly common disease, and healthcare experts can easily diagnose it using different combinations.

• Urinalysis is a highly effective laboratory-based test to diagnose urinary tract infections. A healthcare expert will take a sample of you’re your in to identify any rise in white and red blood cells.
• Apart from that, they will also take a look at any presence of bacteria or pus.
• Once your healthcare expert has successfully diagnosed you with a urinary tract infection, now it’s time for you to take a look at the bacteria which might be causing the infection.
• Healthcare experts use urine culture to identify Bacteria causing the disease.

You should never diagnose yourself with a urinary tract infection or any other disease. These types of diseases are highly complicated, and it’s recommended that everyone visit their healthcare provider.

Also Read: Urinary Tract Infection Urinating after Sexual Intercourse

Treatment

Healthcare experts recommend a combination of home remedies along with modern medicine to flush bacteria. 

The treatment of urinary tract infections involves different medicine to kill the infection-causing microorganism. It could be bacteria, fungi, or viruses.

The treatment of urinary tract infections depends on their diagnosis. Your healthcare expert will try to figure out the right cause of the disease so that you can get better without any further complications.

• Medicine is always going to be the first line of treatment for urinary tract infections. 
• Your health care expert might also recommend you to drink plenty of fluids to Flush out infection-causing bacteria.
• Apart from that, you can also take probiotics to restore the balance of healthy bacteria in the gut and urinary tract.

Also Read: Upper Respiratory Infection