Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections, or UTI’s, happen frequently. The term UTI applies to an infection anywhere in the urinary tract, from the kidneys down to the urethra (the tube that carries the urine out from the bladder). The most common area in the urinary tract for an infection is the bladder. In fact, it is estimated that over seven million people visit their doctor each year for reasons of a bladder infection. Signs of a urinary tract infection include burning during urination, frequency of urination and at times, a foul odor to the urine.

Urinary tract infection in men is less common than in women. Women are more susceptible to getting a UTI than men. This is thought to be related to their anatomy, predominantly the much shorter length of the urethra compared to men. Other groups at higher risk include diabetics, those with a catheter, and anyone with a compromised immune system. Urinary tract infection causes are not always evident. Children with certain conditions, including urinary reflux- a condition in which urine can back up from the bladder, through the ureters, and into the kidneys- are at higher risk of infections of their kidneys. Treatments range from UTI natural remedies to more traditional antibiotic therapy. UTI treatment may at times have to be confirmed to be sure the infection is gone.