Urinary Tract Infection



Risk Factors
Some common misconceptions are that UTI’s occur because of poor diet, poor hygiene, or wearing tight clothing. This is not exactly true. Here are some common risk factors associated with urinary tract infections.

With women…

  • Sexual Intercourse
  • Pregnancy
  • Use of diaphragm
  • Spermicides
  • Diabetes
  • History of UTI
  • Delayed urination after intercourse

With men…

  • Lack of circumcision
  • Enlarged Prostate gland
  • Compromised immune system
  • Homosexual activity

This condition occurs in women more often. The major reason urinary tract infections occur more frequently in women is because of a short urethra. The urethra is a tube leading from the bladder (where urine collects) to the outside of the body (where urine exits). In men the urethra is 20 centimeters long, in women it is a mere 4 centimeters long. This is a very short distance for potentially harmful organisms to travel.

Symptoms
The symptoms of urinary tract infections include the frequency, urgency, burning on urination, cloudy foul smelling urine, lower abdominal pain, and/or blood in the urine. Some people have no symptoms at all.

Management
The management and treatment of urinary tract infections includes medications and lifestyle changes. After an infection is indentified, medication management may include antibiotic therapy to eliminate the infection and mediation to decrease any discomfort associated with the infection. In addition to medication, some simple lifestyle changes will help promote comfort.

Increase your fluid intake, this will help dilute the urine, decreasing irritation and burning by providing a continuous flow of urine to decrease stasis. Decrease your consumption of bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Consume foods and beverages (sucha as Cranberry juice) to acidify the urine. These food items are thought to keep organisms from adhering to the walls of the bladder. Foods that aid in this includes Vitamin C. To prevent urinary tract infections and maintain good bladder health practice Urinating when you feel the urge, don’t resist the urge and empty the bladder completely. Urinate after intercourse and drink plenty of water.