UTI Review
UT
infections are the second most common illness
reported to doctors in the US. More common in
women than men, urinary tract infections can
become a recurring nightmare.
Here
are a series of articles and other resources that look at the causes
of
and cures available to UTI sufferers.
Causes
of UTI's
Signs and symptoms of a UTI
Traditional medical approach
Home remedies and advice
More UTI home remedies
Cystitis and Honeymoon
Cystitis
Interstitial
Cystitis
UTI home remedies and
Kidney infections
Got a bladder
infection? Here's what you should do.
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Causes of UTI's
A urinary tract infection is an infection of any part of the urinary system.
The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Bladder
infections are the most common type of Urinary Tract Infection and are also
called Cystitis.
A Urinary Tract Infection is almost always caused by bacteria, in particular
e-coli, which lives normally in the gut and is present around the anus (from
bowel movements) but can also be caused by a fungal infection such as Candida
albicans. Bacteria cause infection in 2 ways: they release toxins that harm the
body cells and they provoke the immune system which leads to inflammation, which
in itself can be harmful and uncomfortable for the sufferer.
UTI's in Women
Urinary Tract Infections are more common in women than in men. Around 20% of
women suffer from recurrent UTI's and most women will have at least one urinary
tract infection in their
lives. The reason they affect women more is largely anatomical. The female
urethra is shorter than the male's (the tube which goes from the bladder our of
the body) and it's opening is near the anus. It is therefore more exposed to
e-coli bacteria and hence to infection.
Although a women can contract a UTI at any age they most often occur in post
menopausal women, as lower oestrogen levels lead to thinning of the urinary
tract, pregnant women and sexually active women. UTI's in sexually active women
occur because vaginal intercourse
makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder through the urethra. Some
women contract a UTI every time they have sex and a common name for UTI's
contracted in this way is 'Honeymoon Cystitis'. Also, women who use a diaphragm
ram as regular contraception are more prone to urinary tract infections
as the diaphragm rests on the bladder making it difficult to empty properly,
thus causing a build up of bacteria and a resulting UTI. This is also true for pregnant women as the
foetus puts pressure on the bladder and causes a similar problem.
There are also some predisposed conditions which can reduce the bodies resistance
to urinary tract infections. Diabetics, people with impaired immune systems and
those who have chronic recurring urinary tract infections (more than 3 in one
year) are all more at risk of contracting a UTI. .There is also a fairly common
condition called 'vesicoureteric reflux', which affects the way the ureters join
the bladder. This allows the urine to reflux in the wrong direction back up the
ureters, towards the kidneys potentially causing a UTI.
Urinary Tract Infections in women can be treated in several ways and often women with a
recurring problem find more long term solutions by adopting a preventative
approach and following more natural treatment methods for fighting bacteria at the first
signs of infection.
UTI's in Men
Bladder infection and UTI's in general are less common in men but are
potentially more serious. This is because the underlying cause may be a prostate
infection, enlarged prostate or indeed a tumour. Usually, if diagnosed and
treated early recovery is successful, however the discomfort caused by a urinary
tract infection can be very
acute. Men have a higher chance of developing conditions like this as they
get older as the prostate enlarges with age. Also homosexual males are
more prone to bladder infections and cystitis.
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