A urinary tract infection refers to an infection in the urinary bladder. Your doctor may call this cystitis. An infection that spreads to the kidneys is called pyelonephritis. If the infection spreads to the prostate, it is known as prostitis. Urinary tract infections are extremely common in women between the ages of twenty and fifty. Read about other UTI risk factors.
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria that are normally found in the digestive system, like:
- Escherichia coli
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus
- Proteus
- Klebsiella
- Enteroccus
Some sexually transmitted organisms (like Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma) can also contribute to bladder infections in both men and women.
There are some things you can do to help ward off a urinary tract infection. Perhaps the best thing you can do is drink plenty of water — at least eight glasses every day. This will ensure that your bladder is getting a regular workout. You should try to urinate every four hours or so. Try to urinate both before and after intercourse — this will help flush any errant bacteria out of your system.
Some other UTI prevention tips:
- Wipe from front to back, rather than from back to front — this will prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Cut back on caffeine and soft drinks.
- Drink cranberry juice or citrus juice.
- Think about changing contraceptives if you suffer from recurrent UTIs. Diaphragms and spermicides can promote bacterial growth in the vagina.
- Avoid irritating bubble baths, perfumed toilet papers, and fragrant soaps that can irritate the urinary tract.
If you are prone to urinary tract infections, your doctor may suggest preventative antibiotics. If you tend to develop UTIs after intercourse, your doctor may have you take a single dose of antibiotics after sex. If you have frequent UTIs, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic a few times a week as a preventative measure.
More treatment options for UTIs.
Even more treatment options for UTIs.