What is Urinary Tract Infection

What is Urinary Tract Infection?

Infections are a common condition in the United States. Each year, we record millions of cases of different infections, which also include urinary tract infections.

Infection of the urinary system is known as a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria in the urinary system. There are 4 parts of the urinary system, which include kidneys, urethra, bladder, and uterus.

It’s a highly common condition in the United States, and we record more than 4,000,000 cases of you needing tract infections every year, As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States.

Let’s take a look at some of the basics of urinary tract infection and Try to understand what is urinary tract infection.

Also Read: What is the Cause of Urinary Tract Infection?

What is UTI?

Urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urinary system. Our urinary tract infections have 4 different parts, which include kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Bacterial infection may infect one or more parts of the urinary system.

Women are more vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections than men due to their physical anatomy, as per the World Health Organization. 

Even the data points of the patients of urinary tract infections in the United States have been suggesting the same as more than 70% of UTI cases are of women.

Urinary tract infection of the bladder is not known to cause major health problems, but infection of the kidneys might cause serious health complications, and people require immediate medical assistance.

There are laboratory-based tests that help your healthcare provider diagnose urinary tract infections. Healthcare experts usually opt for antibiotics to treat Uti.

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

What is the Best Antibiotic for Urinary Tract Infection?

List of Bacteria that Can Cause Urinary Tract Infection

There are different bacteria that are known to cause urinary tract infections. Healthcare experts around the world believe that more than 80% of urinary tract infections are caused by just one bacteria.

E. coli, also known as Escherichia, is the most common type of bacteria which is known to cause urinary tract infections. 

Apart from E. coli, there are several other bacteria that are known to cause urinary tract infections. Some of these common bacteria might include:

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Proteus mirabilis
  • Enterococcus faecalis
  • Staphylococcus saprophyticus
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Not every urinary tract infection is closed by one of the above-given bacteria, as per healthcare experts around the world.

There are several other microorganisms, including fungi and viruses, which may be responsible for some types of urinary tract infections.

That is why healthcare experts do not recommend anyone start the treatment of a urinary tract infection without consulting with their healthcare provider. 

You should always seek medical assistance for the diagnosis of the condition, as antibacterial drugs are not going to work on viruses.

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

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection?

As women are more vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections, it’s important for them to understand its common symptoms to get an early diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

As different body parts are associated with urinary tract infections for murder, symptoms of the infection can be different according to the part of the infection.

For example, the infection of the kidneys might have different symptoms than the infection of the urethra. 

In both cases, healthcare experts are going to categorize it as a urinary tract infection, but the symptoms are going to be completely different from each other.

The 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 common symptoms of urinary tract infection. As we have already discussed, urinary tract infections can infect different parts of the urinary system. 

Also Read: How Does a Woman Get a Urinary Tract Infection?

What is Urinary Tract Infection
What is Urinary Tract Infection

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

If you are experiencing any of the above-given symptoms, it doesn’t mean that you are struggling with urinary tract infections. 

Different types of infections might have the above-given symptoms, and it’s always in your favor if you are consulting urinary tract infections with your healthcare provider.

Self-diagnosis is not recommended under any circumstances. People who are experiencing any of the above-given symptoms can start home remedies to Treat themselves before consulting with the healthcare provider.

Also Read: Urinary Tract Infection Urinating after Sexual Intercourse

How to Diagnose Urinary Tract Infections?

The diagnosis of urinary tract infection can be a little tricky, and it’s highly recommended that everyone consult with their healthcare expert.

Along with bacteria, different viruses, and fungi may also result in urinary tract infections, and they all are going to require different medications. 

For example, Urinary tract infection from fungal infection is not going to go away with antibacterial.

Urinalysis

Urinalysis is the first test to diagnose urinary tract infections. It’s a highly common test where a healthcare expert will take a sample of your urine to determine levels of different elements in the body.

Your healthcare expert will also try to take a look at the levels of red blood cells and white blood cells in the urine. Any changes in their levels may also indicate an infection in the urinary system.

Urine Culture

Once healthcare experts are confident enough About the cause of the infection, healthcare experts are going to move ahead and go for a urine culture.

It’s a unique test that helps your healthcare expert find the bacteria which might be causing the infection. Urine culture is a highly important test That also helps healthcare experts start the treatment of the infection.

Other Tests

Later, your healthcare expert might suggest you go for different imaging tests. These types of scans are recommended for people who might have any blockage in the urinary system.

As you might already be aware, any blockage in the urinary system might also result in a urinary tract infection. It’s important for the treatment of urinary tract infections to find the right cause of the condition.

Also Read: Upper Respiratory Infection

What is the Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections?

Urinary tract infection is a highly common infection, and healthcare experts can help you get better within a few days with a combination of home remedies and modern medicine.

  • The treatment of urinary tract infections usually includes antibiotics. As most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, it’s a logical explanation to use antibiotics.
  • Apart from the antibiotics, your healthcare report might also suggest you take different medications if the urinary tract infection is caused by an antifungal or viral infection.
  • Later, your healthcare expert will also suggest you opt for different form remedies, which may include drinking plenty of fresh water along with focusing on a healthy diet.
  • You should not simply focus on just one treatment option to treat urinary tract infections. We highly recommend everyone opt for modern medicine along with home remedies to flush out urinary tract infection bacteria.

How Does a Man Get a Urinary Tract Infection?

Women are not the only ones who get urinary tract infections. Men are also vulnerable to developing a urinary tract infection, but the probability of women getting infected is always going to be on the lower side as compared to women.

We cannot completely rule out the probability of any money getting infected with a urinary tract infection. There are different causes of urinary tract infections in men, which may include:

  • Sexual activity is always going to be one of the biggest causes of urinary tract infections in men.
  • Different prostate problems may also cause blockage and urinary system, which may lead a man to urinary tract infection.
  • Diabetes increases the risk of different infections, including urinary tract infections.
  • Kidney stones may also cause blockage in the urinary system, and it leads a man to urinary tract infections.

 Apart from the above-given conditions, different medicine and medication might also result in urinary tract infections. If you are also struggling with any of the above-given symptoms of the condition, we highly recommend you consult your healthcare provider.

Who is more vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections?

Women are more vulnerable to developing urinary tract infections, as per healthcare experts around the world. Different factors increase the risk of urinary tract infection in women, Which include the anatomy of the female body, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause.

Are Bananas Good for Urinary Tract Infections?

Banana is not a home remedy for urinary tract infection. Bananas are a good source of vitamins and dietary fiber and minerals, but they are not recommended as a treatment for urinary tract infections.
We highly recommend everyone consult treatment with their healthcare provider. We can include bananas in your diet as it’s a good source of micronutrients that can help your body improve its immune system.

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