Preventing Urinary Tract Infection

The urinary system consisting of paired kidneys, ureters, bladder
and urethra is the second commonly infected by infection after the
respiratory system. Maintaining the body’s internal environment within
normal limits is the main function of the urinary system. Urine is
formed in the kidneys and passed through a narrow tubes called ureters
going to the urinary bladder where it is stored. When the bladder is
full urine is excreted through the urethra.

Urine is normally pure and the urinary tract is free from any
microorganism not until it is infected by bacteria, viruses and fungi
which find their way colonizing the urinary tract and resulted to
urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary tract infection are classified
into two, the lower and the upper. It is lower if only urethra
(urethritis) and bladder (cystitis) are involved while the upper
involves the ureters (ureteritis) and the kidneys (pyelorephritis). The
upper one is more considered the more serious condition than the lower
one.

In most UTI cases, women are more prone to infection than men. It
can hardly occur to men below fifty years old unless tract stones or
any abnormality that prevent the urine to be excreted exists. Men with
prostate gland enlargement is susceptible to UTI because it constricts
the prompt drainage of urine from the urinary bladder.

Based on statistics, one in every two women would experienced UTI in
their lifetime. Many of them has experienced more than once. Probable
reasons why women are more vulnerable to UTI are the following:

a) Women’s urethra is much shorter than men four centimeter for
women and twenty centimeters for men, thus making it easier for any
infection to enter.

b) Women’s urethral orifice is closed to the anus where pathogenic
bacteria are predominant. E-coli bacteria that normally reside in the
colon or large intestines are most common cause of UTI, it was noted.

c) The urethral orifice which is located just above the vagina is
another reason why UTI’s are common to women. The urethra is sometimes
irritated during sexual intercourse making it easy target for bacteria.
Microorganisms such as herpes simplex virus and chlamydia that cause
sexually transmitted diseases (STD) can easily find their way to
urethral orifice.

d) The use of birth control gadgets such as diaphragms or
spermicidal agent and the use of irritating feminine products are
factors that put women at higher risks for UTI.

Painful urination, frequent and urgent need to urinate, abdominal
and backpain, blood in the urine, cloudy and strong or foul smelling
urine and fever are among the symptoms of UTI. Urinary tract infection
can be treated by antibiotics or any appropriate antimicrobial agents.
UTI’s remotely complicate when treated promptly. If left untreated this
can caused chronic kidney infection that can be damaging permanently
these organs.

In order to prevent UTI from happening one has to observe the following:

a) Drink plenty of water everyday it can flush out the bacteria from the bladder and the urethra.

b) Don’t hold urine. Empty your bladder often and completely.

c) After bowel movement for women, wipe from front to back fashion
so you do not introduce bacteria from the anus to the urethra.

d) Urinate after having sex to help flush away the bacteria.

e) Avoid the use of diaphragms and spermicidal gels.

f) Lastly, minimize the use of deodorant sprays or other products
such as douches and powders that can cause irritations to the urethra.