An infection in your kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra is known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Most infections affect the bladder and urethra, which are parts of the lower urinary system.
Compared to men, women are more likely to get a UTI. An infection that only affects your bladder can be uncomfortable and painful. However, if a UTI spreads to your kidneys, catastrophic repercussions could result.
Antibiotics are frequently used by doctors to treat urinary tract infections. However, you can take precautions to lower your risk of developing a UTI in the first place. Aster Hospital is one of the best urology hospitals in Dubai.
Causes
When germs enter the urinary tract through the urethra and start to grow in the bladder, urinary tract infections occurs. Although the urinary system is built to keep off such tiny invaders, these safeguards can go wrong. If that occurs, germs may establish a foothold and develop into a serious infection in the urinary system.
The bladder and urethra are the most commonly affected areas by UTIs, which mostly affect women.
A bladder infection (cystitis). Escherichia coli (E. coli), a kind of bacteria frequently present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is typically the cause of this type of UTI. However, other microorganisms can also be at blame.
Cystitis can result from sexual activity, but you don't have to be engaged in sexual activity to get it. Because of their anatomy, notably the close proximity of the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder, all women are susceptible to developing cystitis.
Urinary tract infection (urethritis). When GI bacteria go from the anus to the urethra, a UTI of this type may result. Additionally, sexually transmitted diseases including herpes, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma can induce urethritis since the female urethra is so close to the vagina. Consult the best urology doctor in Dubai for UTI treatments.
Symptoms of UTI
· A burning feeling when you pee
· A frequent or intense urge to pee, even though little comes out when you do
· Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee
· Feeling tired or shaky
· Fever or chills (a sign that the infection may have reached your kidneys)
· Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen
Risk factors
Women frequently get urinary tract infections, and many of them have multiple infections over the course of their lifetimes. Female-specific risk factors for UTIs include:
Female body types. Because a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's, fewer bacteria must travel farther to reach the bladder.
Sexual behaviour. Women who are sexually active typically experience more UTIs than women who are not. A new sexual relationship raises your risk even further.
A few forms of birth control. Women who use spermicidal products and diaphragms for birth control can be more susceptible.
Menopause. After menopause, a drop in oestrogen levels in the bloodstream alters the urinary system, increasing your susceptibility to infection.
Lower urinary tract infections almost never result in problems when immediately and effectively treated. A urinary tract infection, however, might have negative effects if left untreated.