What causes urinary tract infections?

Most urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria, but they can also be caused by yeasts, protozoa and other parasites. In women, urinary tract infections often occur as a result of bacteria transferring from the vaginal or anal area into the urethra. This happens most often because of sexual intercourse, but can also occur as a result of improper toiletting habits (such as wiping back to front), incontinence, or simply poor hygeine. Anatomic changes, catheterization,  antibiotic use and naturally occuring physical and hormonal changes (such as that occur in pregnancy) can also make a woman more susceptible to UTI's. Because women have a relatively short urethra (as compared to men), they are generally at higher risk of ascending infections which can go on to involve the bladder (cystitis) and/or the kidneys (pyelonephritis).

Diagnosis

Your doctor will take a health history and a urinary sample to be investigated by microscopic examination, and may also perform a urine culture. The importance of diagnosis is to rule out other types of genital infections that may mimic a urinary tract infection, like vulvovaginitis or STD's involving the urethra and/or cervix. In this way, the treatment can be customized. The main concern in treating a UTI is to keep it from ascending further into your body and causing complications.

What can I do to help prevent UTI's?

1. If you are a woman, you should make a practice of urinating immediately after sexual intercourse. This will help to "flush out" bacteria from the opening of the urethra.

2. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. When you are dehydrated, you do not void as much urine, which can lead to urinary stasis in the bladder and promote bacterial growth.

3. Drinking (unsweetened) cranberry juice may help to prevent the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract. You may also choose a high quality combination product which includes cranberry concentrate, such as Cranberry Forte by NF or Uritol Maintenance by Pharmax.

4. Regularly eating yogurt with live cultures of beneficial bacteria, or taking a probiotic supplement will help to prevent UTI's.

5. Avoid using topical products that may cause irritation to the sensitive tissues around the urethra.

6. Avoid eating sugary and foods with refined flour- like pastries, cookies, cakes, etc.

7. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, these act as diuretics which may further dehydrate you, possibly leading to urinary stasis later in the day. They may also be irritating to the tissues of the urinary tract.