There are high chances of getting urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point in life. But thanks to the human anatomy, the probability of women having UTI is more than a 50% in their lifetime.
The infections
causes about 8.1 million people visiting the doctor each year for treatment, this is according to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
The likelihood of having a UTI is very high after menopause . According to Kavita Mishra MD, For women after menopause, an average of one urinary tract infection every single year is quiet common. She is a gynecologist at the University of California,
When there is a change in the acidity of alkalinity (PH) of the vagina, it can alter the balance of bacteria and yeast in postmenopausal women and make it easier for bacteria to make their way into the urethra.
Also, diabetic women are also more susceptible to get a UTI because of condition's impact on the immune system. Below are the eight most common causes of a urinary tract infections.
1. There is Pain, burning, or stinging urinate
People suffering from UTI usually feel Pain or burning sensation when you pee. This is a first sign of a UTI or bacteria in the urethra or bladder. However, this doesn't mean you have a full-blown UTI unless the symptoms continues for a period of time.
If the pain or burning occurs for just once and not again for the rest of the day and you don't show any other signs or symptoms, it means, your body has already flushed out the bacteria and you likely don't have to worry about it.
It is advisable to drink extra water as soon as the burning starts in order to help flush out small amounts of bacteria and help prevent the infection from growing. This is according to Lisa Dabney, MD, a urogynecologist at Mount Sinai West.
2. Urinating always doesn't bring relief.
Frequency in micturition is another serious sign for an infection. Urinary tract infection can make you feel like you have a full bladder, but only dribbles come out when you go to the washroom. Frequent trips to the bathroom and still little to no relief are signs to take serious.
3. Cloudy, bloody, or discolored urine
The color of urine can have different colors depending of diet, medication and other health complications but the color of your pee should tell you a lot of things, including whether you have an infection. Anything other than the yellow or clear spectrum is cause for concern. Red, brown and cloudy, urine are all signs of UTI.
But before you start to panic about the color of your urine, take stock of what you ate in the past 24 hours. Beetroots and other foods can have a significant change in your urine color but that doesn't mean you have UTI.
4. When there's urgency to urinate.
Anytime you feel the urgency to urinate especially if you just went, you probably have a urinary tract infection. The urethra is irritated and the lining of the urinary bladder make you feel the urgency to urinate again.
5. Urine with pungent smell
Its not advisable to sniff the bowl every time you go, but a strong, pungent smell is a common UTI symptom. Don't also forget that, some foods may also cause your pee to smell. For example Coffee and asparagus are two likely culprits which can alter the smell of you urine. If your urine still gives a bad smell after going a couple of times, or it also has a cloudy or red color, it is time to call the doctor.
6. When you start feeling Pressure, cramping, around your bladder/pelvis
This common in Older women in particular. They may have cramping, pressure, or abdominal pain when they have a UTI.
But in some women too, the experience of pain and cramping may be the most pronounced symptom alongside muscle aches and feeling tired. This is according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Disease.
Most of these symptoms are often easy to ignore or attribute it to other causes but it is very crucial to pay close attention to these symptoms and bring them up with your doctor for proper diagnosis
Easing symptoms
The symptoms of a urinary tract infection often build over several days. Urinary tract infection might start with burning sensation when you micturate, then it gradually gets worse with a constant feeling of urgency or in frequency-- said Mishra. Then you might notice on the 3rd or 4th day cloudy or bloody urine or chills.
Though urinary tract infection can be incredibly painful and interrupt your daily activities, one of the good news is that these infections are easy to treat. their symptoms usually clear up completely within a few days of treatment with antibiotics.
And if you happen to be one of the unlucky women who have experienced UTI before, a call to your doctor may be all you need to get urine culture and prescription.
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