Urinary Tract Infection or Urinary Infection

A urinary tract infection can be serious and may need to be treated with antibiotics.

The urinary system of your body includes two kidneys, two tubes (ureters), a urine sac (bladder), and an opening to expel the urine from the body (urethra).

An infection of this system due to germs is called aurinary tract infection(UTI).

Most urinary infections affect the lower urinary tract and spare the kidneys. These尿路are easily treatable. In a few cases, the kidneys may be affected, and this is a serious condition. Women are more likely than men to experience UTIs, especially recurrently.

An infection occurs when there is the contamination of the urinary area due to bacteria from the gut. The most common germ isE. coli(80%). Other causative bacteria includeStaphylococcussaprophyticus(10% to 15%),Enterococcus,Klebsiella,Enterobacter,and普罗透斯.

Some habits or conditions may also increase your risk ofurinary tract infection(UTI). These include

• Not drinking enough water
• Holding urine for long periods
• Spinal cord injuries or nerve damage that may cause difficulties in emptying the bladder regularly and completely
• Tumors,kidney stones, and anenlarged prostate(in men) that may block the flow of urine
• Conditions such asdiabetesmay reduce the ability of the body’s immune system to fight off an infection, especially in an older person
• A catheter (a tube placed in the urethra and bladder to drain urine) in a bed-ridden person
• Women get infected more commonly because a woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s, which allows easy access to the bladder
• Unhygienic patterns of wiping the genital area, especially in women
• Sexual activity that may move the infection to the urethra
• Birth control methodssuch asspermicides, diaphragms, and unlubricated condoms may allow bacterial growth
• Hormonal changes inpregnantwomen and women who are inmenopause

You may have aurinary tract infection(UTI) if you are experiencing the following

• Painand pressure in the lower part of your tummy or groin
• Burningpainwhile urinating
• An urge to urinate often, but not much comes out when you are urinating
• Cloudy and smelly urine
• 在creased frequency of urination
• Dribbling of urine
• 在ability to control urine
• 在ability to void the urine
• Feeling tired

It can be serious if you have

• 血in urine
• Fever
• Back pain
• Vaginal discharge

Your doctor may ask for

• Urine examination and analysis for the presence of bacteria,sugarand abnormal blood cells
• A urine culture test
• A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (to checkprostate enlargementin men)
• 血sugarlevels to check whether you havediabetes.
• Ultrasonographyto check for thickening of the urinary bladder,renal stonesor prostate problems.