It is never easy being a woman biologically. Men may be the stronger sex; however, women have to endure physical hardships such as monthly periods with cramps and changes in hormones and the pain associated with childbirth should not be taken lightly. Women are prone to infections that are infrequent in men, such as urinary tract infections (UTI’s). Fifty percent of all women will experience at least one in their lifetimes.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. These are the structures that urine passes through before being eliminated from the body.
UTIs are a key reason we're often told to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. That's because the urethra -- the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body -- is located close to the anus. Bacteria from the large intestine, such as E. coli, are in the perfect position to escape the anus and invade the urethra. From there, they can travel up to the bladder, and if the infection isn't treated, continue on to infect the kidneys. Any part of this system can become infected. As a rule, the farther up in the urinary tract the infection is located, the more serious it is. The upper urinary tract is composed of the kidneys and ureters. Infection in the upper urinary tract generally affects the kidneys which can cause fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and other severe symptoms. The lower urinary tract consists of the bladder and the urethra. Infection in the lower urinary tract can affect the urethra (urethritis) or the bladder (cystitis).
Women may be especially prone to UTIs because they have shorter urethras, which allow bacteria quick access to the bladder. Having sex can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract, too.
There are many symptoms a woman can experience with a UTI. A burning feeling when you urinate is one. Also, there can be a frequent or intense urge to urinate, even though little comes out when you do. Pain or pressure in your back or lower abdomen is often experienced although this symptom can be associated with other issues. Look for cloudy, dark, bloody or strange-smelling urine. A woman can feel fatigued, weak or shaky. Again, these can be associated also with other illnesses. A fever or chills is a sign that the infection may have travelled to the kidneys.
If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection, head to the doctor. You'll be asked to give a urine sample, which will be tested for the presence of UTI-causing bacteria. The treatment is usually antibiotics to kill the intruders. As always, be sure to finish off the prescribed cycle of medicine completely, even after you start to feel better. And drink lots of water plus cranberry juice to help flush the bacteria from your system. Your doctor may prescribe a medication to soothe the pain -- a heating pad may also be helpful.
About one in five women experience a second urinary tract infection, while some are plagued incessantly. In most cases, the culprit is a different type or strain of bacteria. But some types can invade the body's cells and form a community safe both from antibiotics and the immune system. A group of these renegades can travel out of the cells, and then re-invade, ultimately establishing a colony of antibiotic-resistant bacteria primed to attack again and again.
Urinary tract infections are much more common in adults than in children, but about 1%-2% of children do get urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections in children are more likely to be serious than those in adults and should not be ignored (especially in younger children). Urinary tract infection is the most common urinary tract problem in children besides bedwetting.
Urinary tract infection is second only to respiratory infection as the most common type of infection. These infections are much more common in girls and women than in boys and men younger than 50 years of age. The reason for this is not well understood, but anatomic differences between the genders (a shorter urethra in women) might be partially responsible.
Some women are genetically predisposed to UTIs, while others have abnormalities in the structure of their urinary tract that make them more susceptible to infection. Women with diabetes may be at higher risk, as well, because their compromised immune systems make them less able to fight off infections like UTIs. Other conditions that increase risk include pregnancy, multiple sclerosis, and anything that affects urine flow, such as kidney stones, stroke, and spinal cord injury.
It has been a common practice for generations to drink plenty of cranberry juice when one has a kidney infection or UTI. Cranberries contain antioxidants that fight these infections well. When old-fashioned ‘women healers’ prescribed cranberry juice the word antioxidant had not been invented. They just knew it was a natural healing property – and not that expensive.
Other home remedies include drinking plenty of water to dilute your urine and help flush out bacteria. We should be drinking eight glasses of water a day to remain healthy, according to experts. Avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder. Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices and caffeine until your infection has cleared. They can irritate your bladder and tend to aggravate your frequent or urgent need to urinate. Use a heating pad. Apply a warm, but not hot, heating pad to your abdomen to minimize bladder pressure or discomfort.
