A Urinary Tract Infection or UTI
is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract which
includes the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and the ureters. While men do
get Urinary Tract Infections, they are more common among women because
the female urethra is shorter and closer to the anus. UTIs, are a
serious health problem affecting millions of people each year.
The
bacterial infection known as Cystitus occurs when the lower tract
becomes infected by bacteria. The majority of these Cystitus cases are
caused by E coli, a bacteria in the lower digestive tract. Other risk
factors for Cystitus include blockage of the bladder, pregnancy, and
diabetes.
Microorganisms like Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also
cause UTIs in both men and women, but these infections are usually
limited to the urethra and reproductive system. Sexual intercourse may
increase the risk of developing a UTI, which is just another of the many
good reasons for condom use.
In order to avoid an infection it's
important to drink plenty of fluids because when you urinate, you help
remove bacteria from the bladder. However, do not drink fluids that tend
to irritate the bladder like alcohol or caffeine. If bacteria is
allowed to grow faster than it is removed by urination, an infection is
the result. Women should always keep their genital areas clean by wiping
from front to back in order to reduce the chance of transferring
bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.
In addition,
urinating immediately after sexual intercourse may help eliminate any
bacteria that might have been introduced during intercourse. If you do
not urinate for a long period of time, you are giving the bacteria time
to multiply. Frequent urination could possibly reduce the risk of
cystitis in people who suffer from frequent Urinary Tract Infections.
