Urinary tract infections affect between 8 and 10 million people worldwide.
Symptoms of an infection may be mild or severe. In fact, many who suffer from a
urinary tract infection do not seek medical attention. They either do not
recognize that an infection exists, or they choose to treat the infection with
home remedies. Although most infections are mild and do not pose a serious
health threat, they may become serious. This occurs when the infection spreads
to the kidneys. In this case, the condition may become life-threatening.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
An infection occurs when parts of the urinary tract become inflamed or
contaminated. The urinary tract consists of the bladder, urethra, kidneys, and
ureters. The kidneys are intended to flush the bloodstream of waste. This waste
becomes urine, and leaves the body through the urethra. Occasionally, bacterium
creeps into the opening of the urethra. When this occurs, an infection will
likely develop. The severity of the infection depends on the bacterium, and
where it spreads inside the urinary tract. There are three types of urinary
tract infections.
Cystitis: Bladder infection
Urethritis Urethra infection
Pylenonephritis: Kidney infection
Kidney infections are a serious condition and require immediate medical
treatment.
Causes of Urinary Tract Infections
Bacterium from the anus is the primary cause of urinary tract infections.
Thus, it is vital for women to clean themselves front to back. This prevents
minute fecal particles from entering the urethra. Additional causes include:
Sexual intercourse
Wearing tight jeans
Bicycling
Uses scented perfume
soaps, powders, and cleansers in the genital area
Spicy foods
Drinking excessive
carbonated beverages and alcohol