Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are a common and significant burden that can bring life to a halt with nagging symptoms, including pain with urination, urinary frequency, hesitation or difficulty urinating, and sometimes blood in the urine. It’s not unusual for women to have two to three UTIs each year and recurrences are common when infections are not adequately treated the first time.
However, UTIs can be treated and prevented if they become a recurring problem. First, we need to understand, why we get UTIs.
Everyone gets bacteria in their bladders without consequence. The protective lining in the bladder prevents the bacteria from adhering to the bladder wall, so when you urinate, the bacteria flushes out of your body. Any disruptions to this process can result in a UTI.
Here is a list of common causes:
• Not drinking enough water or drinking too much water, which can disrupt the normal pH balance of your urine.
• Not urinating regularly.
• Not emptying your bladder completely.
• Increased bacteria in the bladder due to other reasons like a change or irritation to the vaginal environment.
• Menopause –a decrease in estrogen results in changes in the pH of the vagina and thinning and drying of the vaginal tissues allowing uropathogens (bacteria that cause bladder infections) to migrate more easily into the bladder.
UTIs are the second most common infection in the body and can be easily treated once diagnosed. Managing a UTI can be as simple as changing your diet or resolved with a round of antibiotics. Whatever your UTI situation, it’s treatable and, in many cases, can even be prevented.
If you are experiencing these symptoms or have questions, please contact me at 234-205-2040 to schedule your appointment.
