The urinary tract infection can occur in any part of the urinary system. It can cause inflammation of the bladder- a condition called cystitis, inflammation of kidneys- a condition called pyelonephritis, and urethra- called urethritis. Urinary tract infections are common in women as compared to men because of the anatomy of their genitals. If you want to consult with the best Gynecologist in Islamabad through InstaCare.
Urine is a waste product that your kidneys produce to get rid of toxins. Under normal conditions, no contamination of urine occurs. While at times, it may get contaminated, eventually causing urinary tract infection. It can be a painful and annoying condition. Mostly they are treatable with oral antibiotics, but sometimes you may need to get injectable if the infection load is higher. If you feel difficulty in passing out urine, you must visit the best urologist in Lahore.
According to research, every 1 in 5 women gets urinary tract infections once in their lifetime. More often, they get it during pregnancy. Alteration in hormone levels also makes women prone to it.
What are the Symptoms of UT infections?
The symptoms of urinary tract infections are as follows:
- Urgency to urinate
- Burning sensation while passing urine, and after it.
- Fever
- Palpitations
- A strong odor of urine
- Change in color of urine to dark yellow or orange
- Pain in the pelvic region and back
- Blood in urine
- Feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
- Shaking and chills
If you are suffering from these symptoms and you want to consult with the best Urologist in Lahore you can call on the helpline number of InstaCare to find the right professional for your concerns.
What are the risk Factors of UT infections?
The risk factors that can make you susceptible to urinary tract infections are:
- Urinary tract abnormalities
- Kidney stones
- Diabetes
- Long term immunosuppressant’s intake
- Being a female
- Reaching menopause
- Being sexually active
- Drinking less than six glasses of water in a day
- Using spermicidal or diaphragms for birth control as contraceptives
Why Are Women More Prone to Urinary Tract Infections?
1. Women as compared to men are more prone to get urinary tract infections. The first reason for it is the anatomy of their genitals. The urethra is a tube that transports urine from the urinary bladder out of the body. In females, the urethra is shorter and close to the anus.
2. Since stool contains E. coli, a bacteria that is healthy for the digestive system. Therefore, from the anus, the bacteria can travel to the urethra and cause urinary tract infections. It is the reason why experts advise wiping from front to back, rather than back from the front.
3. Also, women who are reaching menopause are more prone to urinary tract infections because estrogen levels drop, eventually causing thinning of vaginal tissues. Due to this, bacteria can enter the urinary tract through the urethra.
4. Pregnancy also makes women prone to urinary tract infections because of hormonal alteration. Moreover, due to the pressure on their bladder due to the expanding uterus, they cannot empty their bladder completely. Urine that is left in the bladder becomes a medium for bacterial growth, hence causing infection.
5. Spermicide is a contraception method that kills the sperm a man ejaculates during intercourse. Women who use it as a contraception method is more prone to get urinary tract infections because it kills the healthy flora of the urinary tract system too, hence leading to infections.
Conclusion
Urinary tract infections are the ones that occur in the kidneys, urinary bladder, ureters, or urethra. The most common symptoms of urinary tract infection are a burning sensation when passing urine, lower abdominal pain, and fever. You should not ignore the symptoms, as prolonging them can make them difficult to treat. Also, complete the antibiotic course as prescribed by your healthcare provider, because antibiotics, when not taken properly lead to resistance. Due to this, it becomes difficult to get rid of the infection.
Furthermore, drink plenty of water if you are prone to urinary tract infections because doing that helps in flushing out toxins from the urinary tract system. Maintaining good genital hygiene is also essential to prevent it. If you have a complaint about any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you must visit the best urologist in Pakistan through InstaCare.