Understanding UTI
Infections of the urinary tract are very common, but, only respiratory infections occur more often. Each year, urinary tract
infections (UTI) account for about 8 million doctor visits. Women are especially prone to this condition.
The average adult passes about a qaurt and a half of urine each day. The amount of urine varies, depending on the fluids and
foods a person consumes. The volume formed at night is about half that formed in the daytime.
The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The key players in the system are the kidneys, a
pair of purplish-brown organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back. The kidneys remove liquid waste from the
blood in the form of urine.
It also keeps a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood, and produce a hormone that aids the formation of
red blood cells. Narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, a triangle-shaped chamber in the
lower abdomen. Urine is stored in the bladder and emptied through the urethra.
Escherichia coli is the main bacteria responsible for urinary tract infection. These germs usually enter the urethra and
travel up the urinary tract. The bacteria can then infect the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. The following may put a person at
a higher risk for getting a UTI:
Wiping from back to front after urinating, or having a BM.
Having sex may cause germs to enter the urethra more easily.
Being pregnant.
Having diabetes.
Having had a UTI before.
Waiting to go to the bathroom, instead of going when you feel the need to.
UTI is more likely to occur in women who are newly sexually active or have a new sexual partner. Sexually active women are
more afflicted because of sexual intercourse which can cause bacteria to spread upward into the bladder. Cystitis may occur
in women after sexual intercourse. But even girls and women who aren’t sexually active are susceptible to lower urinary tract
infections because the anus is so close to the female urethra.
UTIs are treated with an antibiotic. For uncomplicated urinary tract infections, it may take a single dose of an antibiotic
to be taken for 3 to 10 days. For chronic infections or infections that keep coming back, it may be necessary to take the
antibiotics for a longer time. Drugs most commonly recommended for simple UTIs include amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox),
nitrofurantoin (Furadantin, Macrodantin), trimethoprim (Proloprim) and the antibiotic combination of trimethoprim and
sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra).
Until antibiotics can clear the infection, Urinary tract infection can still be very painful. But there are easy steps to
ease the discomfort away. By drinking plenty of fluids, it can dilute the urine and may help flush out bacteria. Coffee,
alcohol, and soft drinks which contain citrus juices and caffeine should also be avoided until the infection is cleared. A
heating pad that is palced over the abdomen can also help minimize feelings of bladder pressure or pain.
