A urinary tract infection is an infection that happens in any part of your urinary system. Most infections occur in the bladder or urethra, but kidneys and ureters may also become infected. Lower urinary tract infections are usually easily treatable, but if the infection affects the kidneys, the pain is often severe.
Urinary infections occur when bacteria enter the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. If the bacteria continue to grow or spread, a urinary tract infection will occur. Women, especially those who are sexually active, are more likely to experience urinary tract infections than men. Other risk factors include urinary tract abnormalities or blockages, use of certain birth control methods, a suppressed immune system, and catheter use.
Usually symptoms of a urinary tract infection will vary from person to person. Some people will experience very minor symptoms, where others will have painful and severe symptoms. Here are a few symptoms you may experience: constant urge to urinate, cloudy, discolored or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, burning sensation during urination, rectal pain for men and pelvic pain for women.
Antibiotics are most often the way urinary tract infections are treated. Once you've seen your doctor, he/she will most likely prescribe you an effective antibiotic that will combat the bacteria you have. If necessary, your doctor can also prescribe pain medication for the urethra and bladder. If your doctor finds that you have a severe enough infection, you may need to be hospitalized or require antibiotics via an I.V.
If recovering from a urinary tract infection, you must drink plenty of fluids and avoid any beverages that may irritate your bladder (alcohol, coffee, soft drinks). In addition to subscribed pain medications, heating pads also reduce the severity of abdominal or pelvic pain.
There are ways to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections such as: drinking lots of water to flush bacteria from your urinary tract, emptying your bladder and taking a prescribed antibiotic after intercourse, and avoiding feminine products such as powders, douches and deodorant sprays that could irritate the urinary tract.
Urinary infections occur when bacteria enter the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. If the bacteria continue to grow or spread, a urinary tract infection will occur. Women, especially those who are sexually active, are more likely to experience urinary tract infections than men. Other risk factors include urinary tract abnormalities or blockages, use of certain birth control methods, a suppressed immune system, and catheter use.
Usually symptoms of a urinary tract infection will vary from person to person. Some people will experience very minor symptoms, where others will have painful and severe symptoms. Here are a few symptoms you may experience: constant urge to urinate, cloudy, discolored or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, burning sensation during urination, rectal pain for men and pelvic pain for women.
Antibiotics are most often the way urinary tract infections are treated. Once you've seen your doctor, he/she will most likely prescribe you an effective antibiotic that will combat the bacteria you have. If necessary, your doctor can also prescribe pain medication for the urethra and bladder. If your doctor finds that you have a severe enough infection, you may need to be hospitalized or require antibiotics via an I.V.
If recovering from a urinary tract infection, you must drink plenty of fluids and avoid any beverages that may irritate your bladder (alcohol, coffee, soft drinks). In addition to subscribed pain medications, heating pads also reduce the severity of abdominal or pelvic pain.
There are ways to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections such as: drinking lots of water to flush bacteria from your urinary tract, emptying your bladder and taking a prescribed antibiotic after intercourse, and avoiding feminine products such as powders, douches and deodorant sprays that could irritate the urinary tract.
About the Author:
Learn more about Urinary Tract Infections. Stop by Jean Brown Research's site where you can find out all about aUrinary Tract Infection Study and what it can do for you to participate.
0 comments:
Post a Comment