Ailments & ConditionsYour Health

Urinary Tract Infection – Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection happens when any part of the urinary system like ureters, bladder, kidneys, or urethra gets infected by bacteria. It is a common problem, especially among women. According to the statistics published on the Cleveland Clinic, one out of every five women has a urinary tract infection sometime in their life. It is because of women’s unique physiological structures that are different compared to men. The urethra in females is about 3 to 4.5 centimeters in length, and the short distance makes it much easier for bacteria to travel up to the bladder, leading to infection. Besides, women also have a urethra closer to the anus, which is another reason that makes women more susceptible to urinary tract infection. The anus is the opening of the rectum that passes feces from the bowel to the exterior. Since human stools contain bacteria, people must keep the anus in good hygiene after a bowel movement. Wipe inappropriately, the bacteria like E. coli could enter the urethra, causing urinary tract infection.

Though women are a high-risk group, urinary tract infection may happen to anyone of us. In this article, we will shed some light on the types, symptoms, risk factors, and prevention of UTI. Keep reading, and learn more about the disease. [1]