Cause of Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is an infection in any part of your urinary system. Most infections affect the lower urinary tract. Generally, women are more susceptible to UTIs than men. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.

Urine is a byproduct of our filtration system. The kidneys remove waste products and excess water from the blood and produce urine as a result. Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. From outside the body, bacteria, such as those that cause infection and inflammation, can enter the urinary system.

Parts of the Urinary Tract

• Kidneys. These small organs are located on the back of your body, just above the hips. Your body uses them to filter water and waste from your blood.
• Ureters. The ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
• Bladder. In a sac-like container, the bladder stores your urine before it leaves the body.
• Urethra. Your bladder secretes urine through this tube to the outside world.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

• Persistent urge to urinate
• A burning sensation when urinating
• Passing urine frequently
• Cloudy urine
• Reddish color of the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Pelvic pain in women especially in the center of the pelvis
• Pain around the area of the pubic bone

What are the Causes of Urinary Tract Infection?

• Infection of the bladder. This type of UTI is usually caused by Escherichia coli. It is a type of bacteria that commonly infects the gastrointestinal tract. However, sometimes other bacteria are responsible.
• Sexual intercourse. It may lead to cystitis. Cystitis is a risk that occurs in all women because of their anatomy, in particular the close proximity of the urethra to the anus and the urethral opening to the bladder.
• Infection of the urethra. It can occur when GI bacteria spread from the anus to the urethra. The urethra in the female is also close to the vagina, so sexually transmitted illnesses such as herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia can cause urethritis.
• Urinary tract abnormalities. Babies born with urinary tract abnormalities where urine does not exit their bodies normally or backs up in the urethra have a higher risk of UTIs.

Diagnosing Urinary Tract Infection

Tests and procedures used to diagnose urinary tract infections include analyzing urine samples through laboratory analysis. If you are having frequent infections your doctor may order a CT scan.  If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may perform a cystoscopy.

Treatment for Urinary Tract Infection

Antibiotics usually are the first-line treatment for urinary tract infections. Drugs are prescribed and has limited time to use to fight the type of bacteria found in your urine. Antibiotics medications include Moxifloxacin.