 Urinary tract infections uti more typical of women
Added: 12/09/2005 |
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Urinary tract infections uti are very common both in men and women. The infections hold the second position after respiratory infections in the "popularity" of the diseases. Uti symptoms may show themselves or not. But almost every patient has at least some of the symptoms that usually include frequent urge to urinate and burning, painful feeling both during urination and the rest of the time.
Urinary tract infections uti occur very frequently today. The problem affects millions of people every day. Statistics says that respiratory infections are the only condition that happens more often. Women are more prone to urinary tract infections uti than men. Every fifth woman develops the condition during her life. Men are not that subject to urinary tract infections uti. However, when the diseases occur in men they can take very serious forms. Normally, urine is sterile. It contains salts, waste products and fluids but it is free of fungi, viruses and bacteria. As a rule, the infection starts when some microorganisms (usually bacteria) from the digestive tract begin to multiply after clinging to the opening part of urethra. Escherichia coli is the common bacterium that causes urinary tract infections uti. As a rule, it lives in the colon.
As a rule, the bacteria develop in the urethra. The condition is called urethritis. When the bacteria move to the bladder, they cause cystitis (bladder infection). If the condition is not cured, the bacteria may affect the kidneys and cause pyelonephritis.
Urinary tract infections uti may also evolve in the presence of such microorganisms as Mycoplasma and Chlamydia. These bacteria can cause infections both in men and women. But as a rule, the conditions are limited to the reproductive system and urethra. As Mycoplasma and Chlamydia are sexually transmitted, it is necessary to apply treatment to both of the sexual partners.
Some people have a higher risk of getting urinary tract infections uti because of some abnormalities occurring in the urine tract. A kidney stone can provoke that. It represents a stage for the infection. The risk of infection can be also represented by the enlarged prostate gland which can slow down the urine flow.
One of the common sources of infections is catheters and tubes that are placed into the bladder. As usual it is elderly people or those having nervous disorders can need catheters during all their life. So, the bacteria on the catheters can cause infections. That is why, the staff of the hospitals should be very careful to keep the catheter sterile.
People who are ill with diabetes have a high risk of getting urinary tract infections uti because of significant changes in the immune system. In general, any conditions of the immune system raise the risk of the urinary infection.
Speaking about uti symptoms, it would be fair to say that some people have them, some do not. But every patient has at least some symptoms. The most common symptoms are the frequent need to urinate, burning, and painful feeling in the area of urethra or bladder during urination. The person who has uti may feel exhausted, tired and shaky. The pain may be felt even before and after urination. A lot of people with uti complain that in spite of the need to urinate, a very small amount of urine is passed. As for the urine itself, it may look cloudy, milky or even reddish when the blood is present in it. It means that the infection has already reached the kidneys.
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