Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a form of infection that occurs in in the urinary system. The urinary system includes bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidney.

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Women are more likely to get a UTI compared to men. Health experts even did a study and found evidence that 1 in 2 women are likely to get UTI once in their lifetime, while only 1 in 10 men gets UTI in their lifetime.

What Caused UTI?

There are few causes that cause Urinary Tract Infection, but the most common cause is bacteria that travels up to the urethra. It is important to properly clean after using a bathroom to prevent E.coli from the anus to travel to the urethra.

Bacteria from the anus that travels to the urethra may continue to the bladder and kidney. This causes the UTI in the kidney and bladder.

Additionally, Urinary Tract Infection may also be caused by sexual intercourse.

Types of Urinary Tract Infection

There are 3 types of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):

  • Bladder (cystitis): Happens when infection occurs in the bladder and causes a person to have the urge to pee often, Cystitis is caused by bacteria that travels to the bladder
  • Kidney (acute pyelonephritis): Occurs when one or both kidneys become infected
  • Urethra (urethritis): Often causes burning sensation when urinating

Symptoms of UTI

There are several symptoms that can indicate Urinary Tract Infection. Mild UTI can be treated at home with proper care and medication. However, if the symptoms persist, it is best to see medical professional and get checked.

These are the most common symptoms of UTI:

  • Upper back pain
  • Burning sensation when urinating
  • Pelvic pain
  • Fever and chills
  • Blood in urine
  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Bright pink and cloudy urine colour
  • Nausea

These symptoms, however, are sometimes mistaken for other health conditions. It is very important to see a doctor if symptoms persist for weeks.

Diagnosing UTI

When consulting a medical professional to check for Urinary Tract Infection, the doctor will ask for urine sample to determine the infection.

The urine sample is sent to the lab to be checked. If the number of white blood cells is higher than normal range, it might indicate an infection. Additionally, urine culture is also done to check the presence of bacteria and/or fungi.

Treating Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary Tract Infection is normally treated with antibiotics. Mild UTI can also be treated using natural remedies at home.

It is important to understand which type of UTI is active before taking oral medications. Lower tract UTI is usually treated with oral antibiotics, while upper tract UTI is treated with intravenous antibiotics.

Home remedies for Urinary Tract Infection includes:

  • Cranberry juice
  • Plenty of water
  • Probiotics (to restore good bacterias)
  • Vitamin C

To understand even more about the condition, consult a medical professional and learn how to best prevent UTIs. Okadoc offers a platform where you can consult to a medical professional of your choice anywhere, anytime.