Urinary Tract Infection otherwise known as UTI refers to a problem in the urinary tract of the person wherein leaking becomes difficult, painful and accompanied by a myriad of symptoms. This condition also indicates problems in the urethra or bladder, ureters as well as the kidney. UTI is a type of bacterial infection wherein bacteria gets inside the urethra opening and starts producing more of its kind thereby infecting the urinary tract and causing a lot of problems.
If UTI is not addressed efficiently, it can be very painful and can cause a lot of discomfort. The earlier it is identified, the earlier it can be addressed. Thus, it is only important to know what causes UTI along with its symptoms. Proper knowledge can lead to prevention and early diagnosis and eventually early recovery.
Causes and Symptoms
There are many causes of UTI. Essentially, these factors affecting UTI eventually leads to bacterial infection affecting the entire system. The list provides some of the most common cause of UTI or problems in the urinary tract:
- Bacterial infection in the urethra – when bacteria get the chance to go into the opening of the urethra, the urinary tract system experiences a lot of problems. The bacteria usually come to the digestive tract and procreate once it finds its way into the urethra opening.
-  Sexual intercourse – sexual intercourse counts as another common cause for urinary tract infection. In essence, the bacteria thriving in the vaginal tract can get pushed inside the urinary tract once there is movement. The bacteria, as mentioned, can procreate and infect the system after some time.
- Multiple sexual partners – having different sexual partners can also be a factor in developing urinary tract infection. Since there are different people, the person is exposed to different types of bacteria and in bigger amounts.
- Prolonging the urge to urinate – trying to delay urinating also counts as one of the biggest factors in triggering urinary tract infection. When leaking gets delayed, the bladder gets stretched. The stored urine tends to increase the risk of infection.
- Anatomy – some people inherited problematic genes which may affect how their urinary tract develops and functions. For instance, some women tend to experience infection in the urinary tract more often than most men.
As said, it is very important to know when a person is suffering from UTI. Failure to diagnose the condition earlier can lead to a lot of complications even the worsening of the condition. In this case, try to take note of some the common symptoms of urinary tract infection:
- The tendency or constant need to go and take a leak – this is perhaps the most common and fundamental symptom of problems in the urinary tract. Along with feeling the constant urge to pee, the person will also experience pain right just on top of the pubic bone. This pain can also radiate across the lower back. Nonetheless, despite the strong urge to take a leak, often the amount of urine to go out is very minimal.
- Burning feeling and the blood traces – together with feeling pain while urinating, a person with UTI also tends to experience a burning sensation after he or she takes a leak. People will also realize that they are having problems with their urinary tract because most of the time, there will be traces of blood in the urine. Also, along with the hints of blood, the urine tends to smell stronger and appears somewhat cloudy.
- Fever along with additional pains – infection in the urinary tract can also mean infection in the kidneys. It is possible to suffer from fever and other pains along the urinary tract. In many cases, infection in the bladder among children is harder to trace or diagnose as opposed to those in adults.
Other symptoms include vomiting and nausea.
UTI Home Remedies
If immediate medical help cannot be obtained then try these home remedies first to alleviate or address the condition:
a. Use baking soda – baking soda can be very helpful when the initial signs of urinary tract infection surface. Mix ½ of baking soda with around 8 oz. of water. The baking soda helps raise the acid-base balance of the urine and thereby fights off bacteria.
b. Drink lots of water – for the urinary system to get cleaned, there should be good flow of urine. To do this, drink lots of water. Constant consumption of water also cleanses the body thereby diluting waste and harmful materials. These eventually get flushed out lessening the risk of further developing bacterial infection in any part of the urinary tract. Water also supplies essential nutrients to the body helping it sustain efficient bodily functions.
c. Cranberry Juice – cranberry juice prevents bacteria from attaching themselves to the cells of the body especially in the urinary tract line. This is one of the most effective ways to fight off urinary tract problems because if the bacteria lose the ability to thrive then the body will not have problems.
Fighting off urinary tract infection can appear challenging at first but it all takes is to know fundamental tips to be able to resolve such. While these remedies cannot promise permanent cure, they can reduce or fight off further bacterial infection and eventually any progression of the condition. It is still best to consult a medical expert to make sure nothing goes wrong.
