Infections in the urinary tract more common in women

Symptoms of UTI in the bladder can include pelvic pain or lower abdominal discomfort. — 123rf.com

My grandfather was recently diagnosed with a urinary tract infection (UTI). It lasted for a month and was quite serious. He eventually had to be admitted to hospital. What is our urinary tract?

Your urinary tract is comprised of two kidneys, two ureters, one bladder and one urethra.

Your two kidneys are located just below your rib cage on either side of your spine.

They filter your blood and remove wastes and extra fluid from your body, ultimately forming urine.

Your ureters connect your kidneys to your bladder.

Your bladder is the receptacle for storing your urine, until you have to void it, of course.

If your kidney is connected direct to your urethra without your bladder present, you would have to sit at the toilet all the time!

Your bladder can hold up to two cups of urine.

Emptying is within your control if you are healthy. It has a sphincter at its neck which you control voluntarily.

Finally, your urethra is the tube that connects your bladder to the outside of your body.

Which organ of the urinary tract gets infected in UTIs? Or do all of them get infected together?

UTIs can occur in any part of your urinary tract.

They are divided into upper UTIs (kidneys and ureters) and lower UTIs (bladder and urethra).

Lower UTIs are more common than upper ones, presumably because that part of your urinary tract is closer to the external environment.

However, upper UTIs are more serious, especially when your kidney is infected.

I heard that women are more prone to get UTIs. Is this true? Why did my grandfather get it then?

Yes, it is true.

Women are more prone to getting UTIs because of the anatomy of the female urinary tract and its close proximity to the reproductive system.

The woman’s urethra is also far shorter than a man’s.

A man’s urethra is longer due to it having to pass through the penis.

Sexual activity, as well as use of tampons and certain methods of birth control (Intrauterine devices) increase the risk of a woman getting a UTI.

When a woman is pregnant, she is even more at risk of UTIs.

So is the menopausal period, because oestrogen levels drop at that time, and less vaginal secretions occur to protect the woman from getting infections.

But it doesn’t mean that a man cannot get a UTI.

In fact, men rarely get a UTI before age 50.

But after 50, if you have an enlarged prostate, your urine can be kept from being completely drained out of your bladder due to obstruction.

Hence, the remaining urine may be more prone to being infected.

If you have diabetes, you are also at a higher risk of getting UTIs and other infections.

How would I know if I have UTI?

UTI does not always cause symptoms.

Sometimes, it is detected if the doctor suspects you have it due to multiple risk factors, and does a urine test.

But if you do have symptoms, this may be:

♦ A strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away even after you have urinated.

There is this “pressure” in your bladder that is very uncomfortable, and makes you think you have to go to the toilet even when you don’t have to. This is called “urgency”.

♦ A burning feeling when urinating.

♦ Urinating frequently, much more often than you used to. This is called “frequency”.

♦ Each time you urinate, you pass small amounts of urine only.

♦ Cloudy coloured urine. It is due to possible white blood cells in your urine, and also pus due to the infection.

♦ Red, pink or brownish urine: this signifies blood in your urine, and may also be caused by infection.

♦ Smelly or strong-smelling urine.

♦ If the UTI is in the bladder, you can have pelvic pain or lower abdominal discomfort.

♦ If the UTI is in the kidneys, sometimes you can have pain in your back or sides.

♦ If the UTI is particularly severe, such as in the kidneys, you can have high fever, chills, a general feeling of being ill that signifies an infection, nausea and even vomiting.

Are UTIs caused by bacteria or viruses?

They are mostly caused by a group of bacteria called E.coli, which is often found in the gastrointestinal tract.

Because your urethra is close to your anus, which is an opening to your gastrointestinal tract, E.coli can spread easily to the urinary tract, causing UTI.

This is more common if you engage in sexual activity or use catheters.

Not that you would want to use catheters on yourself, but many patients who are immobile in a hospital need catheters to urinate as they cannot get up.

These catheters, if not changed or left too long in your bladder, are a source of UTI.

I have kidney stones. Am I more likely to get a UTI?

Yes. Kidney stones can cause blockages in your kidney and ureters.

Their placement can also trap urine in your bladder, leading to UTI.

Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.