Have you notice that most of the common infection today is the (UTI) or Urinary Tract Infection. It is very common especially in women and children. Urinary tract infection is a serious problem affecting millions of people each year.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Urinary tract infection (UTIs) account for about 8.3 million doctor visits each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs for reasons that are not yet well understood. One woman in five develops a UTI during her lifetime. UTIs in men are not as common as in women but can be very serious when they do occur.
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What are the causes of UTI?
Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does not contain fluids, salts, and waste products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to mutiply. Most infections arise from the type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon.
Bacteria travel first to the urethra. When bacteria multiply, an infection can occur. If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then travel up to the ureters to multiply and infect the kidneys.
What are the symptoms of UTI?
Not all with UTI has symptoms, but most get at least some symptoms. These includes a frequent urge to urinate and a painful, burning feeling in the area of the bladder or urethra during urination. It is not unusual to feel bad all over-tired, shaky, uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone, and some men experience a fullness in the rectum. The urine itself may look milky or cloudy, even redish if blood is present. A fever may mean that the infection has reached the kidneys. Other symptoms of a kidney infection include pain in the back or side below ribs, nuasea, or vomiting.
In children symptoms of urinary infection may be overlooked or attributed to another disorder. A UTI should be considered when a child or infant seems irritable, is not eating normally, has an unexplained fever that does not go away, has incontinence or loose bowels, or is not thriving. This can happen to both boys and girls. The child should be seen by a doctor if these symptoms occurs, especially a change in the child's urinary pattern.
How UTI can be treated?
UTIs are treated with antibacterial drugs. The choice of drug and length of treatment depend on the patient's history and the urine tests that identify the offending bacteria
Severely ill patients with kidney infections may be hospitalized until they can take fluids and needed drugs on their own. Kidney infections generally require several weeks of antibiotic treatment.
Most doctors suggest that drinking plenty of water helps cleanse the urinary tract of bacteria. During treatment, it is best to avoid coffee, alcohol, and spicy foods. And one of the best things a smoker can do for his or her bladder is to quit smoking. Smoking is the major known cause of bladder cancer.
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| Photo credit: Google |
Let's avoid UTI. Though this is just a common infection but can lead to serious problem.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
kidney.niddk.nih.gov
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