Urinary Tract Infection An Infection Of The Urinary System

Any part of your urinary system can become infected. Serious complications can occur if a urinary tract infection spreads to our kidneys.

Urinary tract infection is an infection that starts from your urinary system. The urinary system is composed of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Infections of the urinary system can be very serious and life threatening.

Any part of your urinary system can become infected but usually most infections involve the lower urinary tract which is the bladder and the urethra.

• Kidneys infection on one or both kidneys is called pyelonephritis.

• Ureters infection when the tubes that carry urine from each kidney to the bladder are infected. This type of infection is rarely happen.

• Bladder infection is called cystitis.

• Urethra infection when the tube that empties urine from the bladder to the outside is called urethritis.

Serious complications can occur if a urinary tract infection spreads to your kidneys.

Function of the urinary system
The function of the urinary system is to get rid or remove liquid waste from your body through your urine. Thus, keeping a healthy balance of substances and salts in the blood and produce a hormone that contributes to the formation of red blood cells.

Urination helps you prevent infections. Your prostate gland also produces fluids that prevent bacterial growth.

Causes of urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infections are caused by germs or bacteria called E-coli that live in the colon or Klebsiella.

This bacterium enters the urethra causing an infection called urethritis and then move on to the bladder causing an infection called cystitis which later spread to the kidneys causing an infection called pyelonephritis.

Normally your body is able to fight these bacteria. But, certain underlying conditions increase the risk of having urinary tract infections.

The following are conditions that increase the risk of developing a urinary tract infection;

• Diabetes or any disease that suppresses the immune system.

• Aging Men.

• Urinary retention (Unable to empty bladder completely).

• Men who have a urinary catheter inserted into their urinary tract are more prone to urinary infection.

• Bowel incontinence.

• Men with abnormalities of the urinary tract (narrowed urethra), enlarged prostate or anything that blocks the flow of urine are more susceptible to infection.

• Kidney stones.

• Immobile or bedridden for a long period of time.

• Surgery or other procedure involving the urinary tract.

Symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI)
Some men do not experience any symptoms but will experience some or all of the following symptoms;

• The urge to urinate but often a small amount of urine is urinated out.

• Painful or burning feeling during or after urination.

• Cloudy or milky urine. Reddish urine if blood is present.

• Urine has a foul or strong odor.

• Back pain or aches.

If the infection spreads to the kidneys, symptoms may include;

• High fever indicating that the infection has moved into the kidney.

• Nausea and vomiting feeling.

• Fatigue with ill feeling.

• Side, back or groin pain.

• Warm flushes or reddened skin.

• Confusion in elderly men.

• Occasionally severe abdominal pain.

How to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infection (UTI) can be prevented by;

• Treating it with appropriate antibiotics.

• Treating underlying causes immediately after manifesting of their symptoms.

• Drink adequate amount of water.

• When the urge to urinate, do not hold urination. Take your time do not rush.

• Maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness after urination.

• Clean up properly after sex.

Men are protected from urinary tract infection because of the long urethra, secretions from the prostate and seminal vesicles and also repeated ejaculation. All these are flush out and prevent infection.