Causes and Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections

Posted by sanjay on Friday 17 Apr 2009

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A person’s urinary system is made up of the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and urethra. When bacteria attack the urinary tract system it results in a urinary tract infection (UTI). A urinary tract infection can infect any part of the urinary system but it usually occurs in the lower urinary tract where the urethra and bladder are; the infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra and moves into the urinary tract.

Women are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men. A urinary tract infection may be the result of having multiple sexual partners or not urinating for a long period of time. While the symptoms are quite painful, a urinary tract infection can be easily treated and resolved. This article discusses the causes and symptoms of urinary tract infections.

What causes a urinary tract infection?
Urinary tract infections are caused when bacteria gets into the opening of the urethra and moves up into the urinary tract. There are many predisposing factors for a urinary tract infection. Some of these factors revolve around sexual intercourse.

Frequency of sexual intercourse and sexual intercourse with multiple partners can lead to a urinary tract infection. The sexual positions a person prefers can lead to the illness. People who have difficulty urinating or hold off on urinating for long periods of time can risk getting the disease. The illness may also be the result of a tumor or stones in the urinary tract.

What are symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
When a person has a urinary tract infection the symptoms present almost immediately and are very painful and uncomfortable. The person will feel a continuous need to urinate but will be unable to pass any urine.

When the person does urinate, the area from which the person urinates will burn. There may even be blood in the urine or the urine may have a foul odor. A urinary tract infection will cause a person to feel ill and experience a fever, chills or nausea. They may also feel like their stomach is tender and they may experience pain under their rib cage.