Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is an infection or inflammation of the lining of the urinary tract. The urinary tract are the structures in the body through which urine passes on its way out: the renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, and urethra. An infection occurs when bacteria, usually from the gastrointestinal tract, attach themselves to the opening of the urethra. As they ascend into the urethra, they begin to multiply.

cystitis

An infection confined to the urethra is called urethritis. Sometimes bacteria do not stop their unwanted journey through the human body and move to the bladder. The result is a bladder infection, also called cystitis. If the infection is not treated in a timely manner, bacteria can then infect the kidneys through the ureters.

E. coli bacteria

As a consumer, this is not entirely in your control. Therefore, make sure that your chicken is kept refrigerated, that it is well heated before consumption and that it does not come into contact with raw chicken meat and other foodstuffs. Incidentally, it is not only the E. coli bacterium that is responsible for urinary tract infections or bladder infections. Also venereal diseases, an enlarged prostate and diabetes, sugar in the urine is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, can be the cause.

Husband and wife

In addition, susceptibility to a urinary tract infection is not evenly distributed between men and women. Women are at an increased risk that also increases with age. It is not very strange that women are more often victims: they have a shorter urethra than men, which means that bacteria have faster access to the bladder. In addition, in women the distance between the urethra and the anus is shorter and bacteria can settle there more quickly.

To make matters worse, sex leads to an infection much more quickly in women than in men. Two more blows to the top: women are more prone to developing a urinary tract infection during pregnancy. And after menopause, they are at increased risk because the mucous membrane in the urethra becomes thinner and more susceptible to injections.

Symptoms

Not surprisingly, the symptoms of a urinary tract infection are almost all related to urination:

• A stabbing and severe pain in the (lower) abdomen and/or lower back.
• Itching in the genitals.
• Frequent need to urinate.
• Feeling the urge to urinate, which is often a ‘false alarm’.
• Burning sensation during or right after urination.
• Bad-smelling, foul-smelling, or cloudy urine.
• Blood in the urine.
• Fever and chills (although that is not often the case).
• Incontinence in the elderly or (temporary) uncleanliness in children.

Prevent a bladder infection by good personal hygiene. If it does come to an infection, it is important to tackle this properly and in time to prevent kidney inflammation from developing. This can lead to sudden high fever, nausea, vomiting and pain in the back and genitals. Chronic kidney disease can even lead to kidney damage.

Therapy

Fortunately, a urinary tract infection is easy to treat. In the case of a mild inflammation, it is especially necessary to drink a lot to flush the urinary tract. Cranberry juice, which can be found in stores as cranberry juice, is the best medicine. If there is no cure after three weeks, the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. A referral to a specialist is only necessary in case of recurring complaints. Of course it is important to take good care of yourself and not to drink alcohol or too much coffee. Also be careful with spicy food and cigarette smoke.