Urinary Tract Infection in Adults
(UTI in Adults)

• Urinary tract infection introduction
• What are the causes of UTI?
• Who is at risk for UTIs?
• What about recurrent urinary tract infections?
• What about UTIs in pregnancy?
• What are the symptoms of UTI?
• How is a UTI diagnosed?
• What is the treatment for a UTI?
• What are the treatment options for recurrent UTIs in women?
• How are infections in pregnancy treated?
• What are UTI complications and their treatment?
• What about UTIs in men?
• Is there a vaccine to prevent recurrent UTIs?
• Where can I get more information about UTIs?
• Urinary Tract Infection in Adults At A Glance
• Related Urinary Tract Infection articles:
  Urinary tract infection - on WebMD
  Bladder infection - on WebMD
  Bladder infection treatment - on WebMD

Interstitial Cystitis Signs and Symptoms Medical Author: Melissa Stoppler, M.D. Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr, MD, FACP, FACR About 750,000 people in the U.S. (about 90% of whom are women) suffer from a chronic condition of the bladder known as interstitial cystitis. In interstitial cystitis, the wall of the bladder is inflamed, leading to pain and soreness in the bladder and pelvic areas. The inflammation can also lead to scarring of the bladder wall that can sometimes reduce the capacity of the bladder to hold urine. In many cases of interstitial cystitis, small hemorrhages and ulcers are present on the inner lining of the bladder wall. Doctors do not understand exactly what causes interstitial cystitis. Although the symptoms of interstitial cystitis are similar to those of a urinary tract infection; cultures do not identify bacteria or viruses in the urine of people with interstitial cystitis, and antibiotic therapy does not improve the condition. Read more about interstitial cystitis symptoms. » Top Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Terms: UTI symptoms, UTI causes, cranberry juice, natural remedies, UTI treatment, UTI and pregnancy, bladder infection, UTI in children, STDs & UTI

Urinary tract infection introduction

Urinary tract infections are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year.

Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) account for about 8.3 million doctor visits each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs for reasons that are not yet well understood. One woman in five develops a UTI during her lifetime. UTIs in men are not as common as in women but can be very serious when they do occur.

The urinary system consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The key elements in the system are the kidneys, a pair of purplish-brown organs located below the ribs toward the middle of the back. The kidneys remove excess liquid and wastes from the blood in the form of urine, keep a stable balance of salts and other substances in the blood, and produce a hormone that aids the formation of red blood cells. Narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, a sack-like organ in the lower abdomen. Urine is stored in the bladder and emptied through the urethra.

The average adult passes about a quart and a half of urine each day. The amount of urine varies, depending on the fluids and foods a person consumes. The volume formed at night is about half that formed in the daytime.

What are the causes of UTI?

Normally, urine is sterile. It is usually free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does contain fluids, salts, and waste products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Most infections arise from one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon.

In many cases, bacteria first travel to the urethra. When bacteria multiply, an infection can occur. An infection limited to the urethra is called urethritis. If bacteria move to the bladder and multiply, a bladder infection, called cystitis, results. If the infection is not treated promptly, bacteria may then travel further up the ureters to multiply and infect the kidneys. A kidney infection is called pyelonephritis.

Microorganisms called Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may also cause UTIs in both men and women, but these infections tend to remain limited to the urethra and reproductive system. Unlike E. coli, Chlamydia and Mycoplasma may be sexually transmitted, and infections require treatment of both partners.

The urinary system is structured in a way that helps ward off infection. The ureters and bladder normally prevent urine from backing up toward the kidneys, and the flow of urine from the bladder helps wash bacteria out of the body. In men, the prostate gland produces secretions that slow bacterial growth. In both sexes, immune defenses also prevent infection. But despite these safeguards, infections still occur.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

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