UTI, which stands for urinary tract infection, is an infection in one or more areas of your urinary system, urethra, or kidney. This condition is more common in women than in men. It may cause pelvic pain, pain while urinating, urinary incontinence, and blood in the urine. UTI affects more than half the women in the world at least once in their lifetime. If the infection affects the kidneys, it can cause back pain and nausea. It is a prevalent condition and can be treated easily.
Here are some of the causes of UTI:
- UTI is majorly caused by the bacterium called “Escherichia coli” or “E. coli.” This bacteria is generally found in your intestines
- If UTI affects a pregnant woman, it is highly likely that it will travel up to the kidneys and cause severe problems.
- You can develop UTI due to sexual intercourse. The chances of this happening increase with an increase in the frequency of sexual activity and an increase in the number of partners.
- Diabetes can also cause UTI
- Poor personal hygiene can result in UTI as it is easier for the infection to last.
- Bowel incontinence or blocked flow of urine can also cause UTI.
- Having a urinary catheter can cause strain and facilitate the development of UTI.
- Certain forms of contraception can infect the bladder and the regions surrounding it.
- Menopause can also be a cause for the development of UTI.
- Procedures involving the urinary tract can cause strain and allow infections to occur in your bladder.
- Suppressed immune system. If you haven’t moved for a long period of time, you can easily develop UTI.
- Heavy use of antibiotics can disrupt the bowel and urinary tract resulting in urinary tract infection.
- Using spermicide and tampons can risk your body to UTI.
Here is how UTI is diagnosed:
- If you’ve noticed any symptoms of UTI, call your doctor immediately and get the causes and symptoms diagnosed.
- A physical examination will have to be performed in order to diagnose UTI. Your doctor may even ask for a urine sample to check for microbes.
- The urinary sample you provide to your doctor must be collected mid-stream and not at the beginning of urination. This allows the sample to be free of bacteria and other microorganisms that were present on your skin.
- When testing this sample, the doctor will look for the number of white blood cells in your urine. If they are high in number, it indicates the presence of an infection.
- The doctor will also do a test for bacteria and fungi through a urine culture. This can identify the cause of the condition.
- Viruses are rare causes of urinary tract infection but can occur in people who have a weak immune system or have recently undergone organ transplants.
- If there is a suspicion that you have an upper tract UTI, your doctor may need to do a complete blood count to diagnose and confirm the condition.
- If you have recurrent UTI, it is best to check for any obstructions in your urinary tract. To confirm these suspicions, the following tests are done:
- An ultrasound to create an image of your urinary tract organs
- An intravenous pyelogram to inject a dye that highlights your urinary tract on an X-ray image
- A cystoscopy to observe the internal region of your bladder through a camera
- A CT scan to get a more detailed view of your urinary system