What causes urinary tract infection...

What causes urinary tract infections?

greatest in quantity urinary tract infections are caused by the agency of bacteria (germs). Any part of your urinary tract can be infected. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureter bladder, and urethra. Bladder infections are the mostly common.

How do I know if I have a urinary tract infection?

The case below lists possible signs of a bladder infection. Nausea, lower back pain, and ferment may be signs of a kidney infection. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

to what end do women have urinary tract infections more frequently than men?

Women wait on to have urinary tract infections more frequently than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women The urethra is shorter in women than in men in the way that bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.

The urethra also is located near the rectum in women Bacteria from the rectum can travel up the urethra and cause infections.

Having sex may cause urinary tract infections in women because bacteria can be pushed into the urethra. Using a diaphragm can lead to infections because diaphragms push against the urethra and make it harder to completely without contents the bladder. The urine that stays in the bladder is more likely to swell bacteria and cause infections.

in what manner are urinary tract infections treated?

If your doctor thinks you have a bladder infection, he or she will trial a sample of your urine to find gone out if there are bacteria in it. Your doctor will give you an antibiotic if you have an infection. Symptoms of the infection usually walk away in a couple of days after you start taking the medicine.

Your doctor may give you medicine to make torpid your urinary tract and make you be warmed better while the antibiotic starts to work. The medicine colors your urine bright orange, for a like reason do not be alarmed by means of the color when you urinate.

What can I do if I have usual infections?

If you have urinary tract infections oftentimes you can try some of the tips listed upon the next page. Talk with your doctor about what changes would be helpful for you.

Your doctor also may give you a subdued dose of medicine to take for several month to make experiment of to keep your infections from coming back.

If having sex appears to cause your infections, your doctor may want you to take a single antibiotic pill right after you have sex to hinder urinary tract infections.

Tips onward preventing urinary tract infections

* Drink abundance of water to flush gone out bacteria. Drinking cranberry juice may help thwart urinary tract infections. However, if you are taking a medicine called warfarin (brand name: Coumadin), check with your doctor before you drink cranberry juice. Your doctor may ne to change your warfarin dose, or you may ne to have offspring tests more often.

* Do not confine your urine. Urinate when you be impressed like you need to.

* Wipe from assurance to back after bowel movements

* Urinate right after having sex to help wash away bacteria.

* Use enough lubrication during sex Women can put to proof using a small amount of lubricant (such as K-Y Jelly) before sex if they are a little dry

* Women who frequently get urinary tract infections may want to avoid using a diaphragm. Ask your doctor about other birth sway choices.

How serious are urinary tract infections?

Bladder infections can be painful. Medicine can withhold them from becoming a serious problem

Kidney infections are a more serious question People with kidney infections usually ne to take antibiotics for a longer time and are sometimes treated in the hospital.

Possible signs of a bladder infection

* A burning sensation when you urinate

* Feeling like you ne to urinate more frequently than usual

* Feeling the press to urinate but not being able to

* Leaking a little urine

* Urine that scents bad

* sullen dark, or bloody urine

COPYRIGHT 2005 American Academy of Family Physicians

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