An illness caused by harmful bacteria growing in the urinary tract.
A bacterial infection of any part of the urinary system. Symptoms are usually a need to urinate frequently and pain on urination.
Any infection of any of the organs of the urinary system; more common in women than in men and most often caused by bacteria. Symptoms include frequency, burning pain on urination, and sometimes blood or pus in the urine. Treatment is by antibacterials and pain- relievers. Types of urinary tract infections are cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis.
Infection involving the urethra, urinary bladder, ureters, or kidneys.
Bacterial infections affecting the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections occur more frequently in women than in men. Symptoms include pain or a burning sensation while urinating, a frequent urge to urinate, pressure in the lower part of the abdomen, blood in the urine, and foul-smelling urine.
Infection of the kidneys, ureters, or bladder by microorganisms that either ascend from the urethra (95% of cases) or that spread to the kidney from the bloodstream (5%). About 7 million American patients visit health care providers each year because of UTIs. These infections commonly occur in otherwise healthy women, men with prostatic hypertrophy or bladder outlet obstruction, children with congenital anatomical abnormalities of the urinary tract, and patients with urinary stasis related to incomplete bladder emptying, neurogenic bladder or indwelling bladder catheters.
An infection occurring within any part of the urinary tract can lead to inflammation of the urethra, bladder, or kidneys. The symptoms experienced vary based on the specific area that is affected.
Urethritis is commonly caused by sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, although there can be other reasons for it. Cystitis and pyelonephritis usually stem from a bacterial infection that has moved up the urinary tract starting from the urethra. These bacteria often originate from the rectal area and enter the urethra. In children, frequent urinary infections leading to acute pyelonephritis often occur due to the backward flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters. Infections can also reach the urinary tract through the bloodstream.
Urethral infections are more prevalent in men, while infections higher up in the urinary tract are generally more common in women, especially during pregnancy. For men, an enlarged prostate gland frequently serves as a contributing factor to bladder or kidney infections.
In both men and women, factors leading to urinary tract infections can include kidney stones, bladder tumors, birth defects in the urinary tract, or issues with bladder emptying due to conditions like spina bifida or spinal injuries.
You can lower the likelihood of getting a urinary tract infection by maintaining good personal hygiene, emptying your bladder regularly, and staying well-hydrated by drinking ample fluids.
Urethritis leads to a burning feeling during urination. Cystitis triggers frequent urination, discomfort in the lower abdomen, blood in the urine, and often includes symptoms like a mild fever and overall unease. Pyelonephritis results in a fever, back pain located beneath the ribs, and may also cause severe chills, nausea, and vomiting.
Urethritis may result in a urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of a segment of the urethra. Cystitis typically doesn’t lead to complications unless the infection advances to the kidneys. If pyelonephritis goes untreated, it can cause irreversible kidney damage, as well as conditions like blood poisoning (septicaemia) and septic shock.
A urinary tract infection is typically identified through the analysis of a urine culture. Additional tests, like intravenous urography or ultrasound scans, may also be required. The majority of these infections are managed with antibiotics. To alleviate symptoms, increasing your fluid consumption and taking substances like potassium citrate to neutralize the acidity of the urine can be beneficial.