Urinary tract infections. These are one of the most common infections to crop up in the general population. As many as 50% of women report having had one at some point in their lives, with adult women being 30x more likely to develop one than adult men (as if we needed any more on our plate?).

Don’t worry though, there are ways of treating it, and you can even order UTI antibiotics online so there’s no added stress of not being able to receive treatment quickly. Keep reading to find out what urinary tract infections are, as well as how they are caused and how they are treated.

What is a UTI?

UTIs are an infection of the urinary tract. The urinary tract encompasses several areas, including the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. The most common UTIs, however, occur in the bladder.

How are they caused?

They can be caused by a range of bacteria but are most frequently associated with ‘Escherichia coli’, in other words, E. coli. To cause an infection, these bacteria enter the urethra, or ‘pee hole’, and travel up the urinary tract. The bacteria then multiply, causing an immune reaction in our body, and the symptoms that we associate with a urinary tract infection.

Our body does have natural defence mechanisms in place to avoid bacteria invading this area. This includes mucous production, regular bladder emptying, and urine flow. However, these defences can fail, which unfortunately means that bacteria can enter the urinary tract and cause infection.

What are the risk factors?

Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections to affect people in both hospitals and the community. But what makes a person more vulnerable to getting one?

Gender – Women are far more likely to contract a UTI than men, due to anatomical differences. Women’s urethras are shorter and closer to the rectum. This makes it easier for bacteria to reach them.

Sexual activity – The frequency of sexual intercourse and the use of spermicides in diaphragms or condoms are strong risk factors for developing UTIs.

Changes in bacterial flora – Changes in the natural balance of bacteria can cause an infection.

If you’re worried you may have a UTI, there are UTI antibiotics online that can be issued after a consultation with one of e-Surgery’s medical professionals.

History of UTIs

Family history of UTIs – Due to similar biological makeup, people with a family history of UTIs are at an increased risk of developing it.

Diabetes – High levels of sugar in the blood, impairments in the immune system, or a reduced ability to complete urination may contribute to the high incidences of UTIs in those with Diabetes.

Obesity – A review of a database spanning 5 years has shown that people who are obese are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with a UTI.

Circumcision – Men who are not circumcised are more likely to contract a UTI. One meta-analysis of nine studies done between 1985 and 1990 found that non-circumcised males were 12x more likely to get a UTI!

Abnormal urinary tract anatomy – Women with shorter urethra or pelvic prolapse, for example, are at a higher risk of a UTI.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

The symptoms of a UTI include:

A frequent urge to urinate

Pain, discomfort, or burning when urinating

Feeling unable to empty your bladder fully

Cloudy, foul-smelling urine

Blood in your urine

Lower stomach or back pain

These symptoms indicate an ‘upper UTI’ infection of the bladder or urethra. If the infection has gone higher, however, to the kidneys, you may experience:

A high temperature/fever

Pain in your sides or back

Shivering or chills

Nausea

Confusion, agitation, or restlessness

You can order UTI antibiotics online with e-Surgery if you are a woman who has experienced a UTI before. If it is your first UTI then you must be seen by a doctor before being prescribed medication. For men, you must see a doctor so they can take a urine sample to investigate it further.

UTI’s in Men

Some people think that only women can contract a UTI, but men can also get them, though it’s less common.

In men, UTIs are usually linked to problems in the urinary system, like a bigger prostate gland, blockages in the urinary tract, or kidney stones. These issues can make it harder for urine to flow normally, which raises the chances of getting a bacterial infection.

Men are more likely to experience additional symptoms, including:

Rectal pain
Testicular pain

Swelling
Persistent feeling of fullness in the rectum

UTI’s in men are considered more severe than for women, so if you have symptoms of a UTI you should contact the NHS 111 or speak to your local pharmacist as soon as possible.

How do we treat urinary tract infections?

If you recognise symptoms of a UTI, this should be easily treatable with antibiotics, which work by killing the bacteria that causes it.

These can be prescribed by your healthcare provider, or you can order UTI antibiotics online. An example of an antibiotic that your provider may elect to treat your UTI is Trimethoprim, which you can order online. This is usually prescribed at 200mg, twice daily for children over 12 years old and adults. Another alternative is Nitrofurantoin, which comes in prolonged release form.

It is important to take the full course of antibiotics, to make sure the infection does not have a chance of coming back again! You can also take a painkiller, such as paracetamol, to help with the pain.

Alternatives?

There are many options for treating UTI’s, not just ordering UTI antibiotics online. Cranberry has been a popular source of interest for treating urinary tract infections, first used by Native Americans for its medicinal properties. Cranberries have been shown to raise urine acidity, however only minimally when consumed in regular servings. It has been concluded that the acidity in cranberry juice is not enough to kill bacteria, so this treatment must be coupled with another mechanism of defence.

Studies have shown, however, that cranberry juice may be useful for preventing UTIs in people who experience them recurrently. One study found a 50% reduction in UTI symptoms in young sexually active women, who appear to benefit the most from cranberry juice.

These results are modest and require a lot of juice. Many dropped out due to the inconvenience of having to drink it so often. So, cranberry juice might help, but there isn’t much evidence to suggest it, and having it in a supplement may be a preferable option to drinking copious amounts of high-sugar liquid.

Another home remedy that has been suggested for the prevention of UTIs is D-mannose, a sugar that you can buy online.

Ways to prevent getting a UTI

Dos:

Pee regularly, and after sex. Urine is an important mechanism for removing waste and bacteria from your body.

When you go to the toilet, wipe from front to back! Wiping the other way can introduce bacteria to the urethra and cause UTIs.

Drink plenty of fluids

Keeping good hygiene. Keeping the area clean and dry, and washing the skin with water after sex can help lower bacteria in the area.

Don’ts:

Wear tight-fitting clothing. This can create a warm, moist environment, which bacteria love. Opt for loose-fitting, cotton clothing.

Using scented soap, bubble bath, or talcum powder around your genitals

Using a diaphragm or condoms with a spermicide lubricant on them.

Consume lots of sugar – this may encourage bacteria to grow.