There are various causes that cause a urinary tract infection, which depend on the gender, age and other characteristics of the patient.
Did you know that patients often classify any discomfort when urinating as a urinary tract infection? First of all, it should be noted that not all discomfort when going to the bathroom is caused by this type of infection.
According to urologist Juan Pablo Lezana, patients should never self-medicate, as it often happens that people go to a pharmacy and take antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection without being certain that they have this problem.
According to Lezana, this disease is more common in women due to multiple reasons that vary according to age and other conditions.
Why does it cause urinary tract infections?
There are several factors that can cause a urinary tract infection in adults. Generally speaking, these infections are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and then the bladder, according to the NIH. “ The infection most often develops in the bladder, but it can spread to the kidneys,” experts say.
Furthermore, this condition is more common in women. Although the exact cause is unknown, Lezana says that the female urethra is shorter, which predisposes women to suffer from the condition.
In this regard, gynecologist Alejandra Gómez agrees with this criterion, adding that since the urethra is shorter, it is closer to the rectum and this generates greater proximity to the bacteria that cause urinary infections.
Several experts associate this disease with other factors such as pregnancy, the beginning of an active sexual life, and hormonal changes that occur during puberty and menopause respectively. In the case of younger girls, a urinary tract infection can occur as a result of poor hygiene. The same can happen with older women.
Other causes of urinary tract infections
The urologist mentions that the factors causing urinary tract infections are usually different in men and indicates that, when it comes to young men, they may be sexually transmitted diseases in some cases.
In men over 50, infections can cause prostate conditions such as enlargement of the organ and bladder problems, among others.
Another important fact is that there are diseases that reduce our immune system and this makes us more prone to suffer from infections of this type.
What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections?
According to Lezana, the symptoms of urinary tract infections depend on the area of the urinary tract where they are located.
For example, if the infection is located in the lower tract, there may be increased urination, burning or pain when urinating, and changes in the appearance of the urine, as it may be darker and more foul-smelling.
In the case of the upper tract (kidneys), symptoms vary. In this case, the patient may experience lower back pain, chills, and changes in urine, among others.
Treatment of a urinary tract infection
The first step is to avoid self-medication, so you should see a doctor if you think you have a urinary tract infection to confirm or rule out the existence of such an infection.
Lezana stresses that if you abuse antibiotics without a prescription, this can cause an imbalance in your natural microbiota and make you prone to different infections. According to the experts, the most important thing is to find the origin of the problem to prevent or treat the disease.
How to prevent a urinary tract infection?
Although infection is generally caused by external living organisms or by internal bacteria that proliferate too much, you can take these recommendations into account:
- Wash yourself properly when going to the bathroom and when taking a shower.
- Drink enough water to empty your bladder.
- Do not hold urine for too long.
- If you go to a public restroom, you may want to clean the toilet bowl before using it, as well as take other precautions.
- Avoid excessive hygiene measures, as this can have the opposite effect on what is desired.
- If you experience any abnormal symptoms, consult your doctor as soon as possible.