Understanding Urinary Tract Infections
	Q. What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)? A. Your urinary tract is made up of the kidneys, the bladder, ureters (tubes that send urine from the kidney to the bladder) and the urethra (the canal that sends urine from the bladder out of the body). Microorganisms--usually bacteria--can cling to the opening of the urethra and start to multiply, causing infection. Bacteria can also cause infections in your bladder and kidneys. E. coli, a bacteria that is normally present in the colon, is the source of most UTIs. Other culprits are sexually transmitted microorganisms. Q. Who is at risk for a UTI? A. While both men and women develop UTIs, women are more likely to get them. The National Institutes of Health reports that one in every five women will have a UTI during her lifetime. Older men are at great risk for UTIs because the prostate enlarges with age and blocks the urinary tract. You are also more likely to develop a UTI if you use a catheter (a tube put in the bladder to help you void) or have kidney stones, urinary incontinence or a decreased ability to empty your bladder. Finally, if you have diabetes or any disorder that weakens your immune system, your risk of developing a UTI increases. Q. What are the symptoms? A. Symptoms may be mild and include difficult or painful urination or a frequent urge to urinate without passing much urine. If your symptoms include fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite or pain in the back or side below the ribs (even when you are not urinating), it may signal that the infection has spread to the kidneys or outside the urinary tract. Q. Is there anything you can do to prevent UTI's? A. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out your urinary system. Take showers instead of baths. Pay special attention to your personal hygiene. Women: Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and douches. Also, always wipe from front to back after using the toilet to keep from spreading bacteria to your urethra. Make an effort to urinate after sexual intercourse; this flushes away bacteria. Q. How do you treat a UTI? A. Most simple UTIs are treated with oral antibiotics. If you have a severe infection, you might need to be hospitalized. Speak with your doctor if you have symptoms and think you might have a UTI. Mitzi Krockover, M.D.