Common Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

Common Causes of a UTI:

In many cases, Urinary Tract Infections are a result of bacteria, such as E. Coli, that get into the bladder or other areas of your urinary tract and begin multiplying. Your urinary tract typically can fight off the “bad” bacteria, but at certain times— when immunity is lower—the bacteria can proliferate and a UTI is the result.

In addition, UTIs, specifically urethritis, are a result of contact with sexually transmitted diseases, such as herpes simplex virus, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, as well as simply being transmitted between healthy sexual partners during intercourse.

 Who's at Risk of UTI's?

Are you unsure whether you are at risk or not? There are a number of conditions that will place you in a higher risk group for getting a UTI. These conditions and factors include:

• Being a woman—primarily due to the shortened urethra (as compared to men) which cuts down the distance the bacteria need to travel to reach and infect the bladder

• Incomplete bladder emptying resulting from physical problems, including kidney stones or injury

• Congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract

• Suppressed immune system due to such chronic illnesses as diabetes

• Poor hygiene

• Prolonged urinary catheterization

• Sexually-Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

• Pregnant women and children are also at high risk

UTI Symptoms

As with any physical ailment, UTI symptoms vary from person to person. However, there are a number of common symptoms that UTI sufferer’s experience. The most frequent symptoms include an urgent need to urinate— whether or not the bladder is full—and pain and extreme soreness upon urination. Other symptoms and causes of UTIs 
may include:

• Diarrhea

• Fever

• Nausea

• Lower back pain

• Small amounts of urine despite urge to urinate

• Painful urination

• Cloudy urination

• Blood in urine

• Chills

• Pain in upper abdomen

**Note: If you notice blood in your urine, have excessive pain in your lower back or side, or have extended fever, nausea, or vomiting, contact your primary care physician immediately.**

Traditional Medicinal Treatments for UTI

In most cases a visit to your primary care physician for UTI will result in the prescription of antibiotics to address the infectious bacteria and cure the UTI.

Whereas antibiotics definitely have their place in medicinal treatments, there is growing concern about the frequent use of antibiotics for chronic

UTI sufferers.

Specifically, with frequent antibiotic usage, bacteria begin to develop a resistance to the antibiotic itself. This resistance actually makes antibiotics less effective over time as a treatment.

In addition, frequent antibiotic use can also have a negative affect on the natural functioning of your immune system. Strengthening your immune system with a course of natural remedies and proper diet and hygiene can have an intensely positive impact on whether or not you will have UTIs in the future.