Urinary tract infections are more common in adults than you might think. While UTIs are very painful and inconvenient, they can be prevented and treated if caught early on. But what causes UTIs to occur more frequently in adults? Let’s look at the top reasons why adults get UTIs, as well as what they can do to prevent them from occurring in the future.



Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections?

UTIs are more common in women than men. This is due to the fact that the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra. This means bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to reach the bladder. There are other factors too, such as how much pressure is on the bladder and how often it’s emptied. For example, if you’re pregnant or obese, you’re at greater risk of developing a UTI due to increased pressure on your bladder and having to urinate more often.

Are They Serious?

UTIs can cause serious kidney damage if left untreated. It could also result in death in certain cases. Because of this, it's important to be aware of the symptoms of a UTI and to seek medical help as soon as possible if you think you may have one. For example, there are many different signs that might point to a UTI including:

-Pain or burning when urinating

-Frequent urges to urinate

-Urine that is cloudy or dark coloured

-Lower abdominal pain

What Causes Them?

Urinary tract infections are more common in adults for a variety of reasons. One reason is that the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body, is shorter in women than in men. This makes it easier for bacteria to travel up the urethra and into the bladder, where they can cause an infection. Another reason UTIs are more common in adults is that as we age, our immune systems weaken, making us more susceptible to infection.

What Are the Symptoms?

Urinary tract infections can cause a number of different symptoms. The most frequent symptom is a burning sensation while urinating. This is caused by the infection irritating the lining of the urinary tract. Other symptoms can include pain in the lower abdomen, pain or pressure while urinating, blood in urine, and cloudy urine. If left untreated, UTIs can lead to kidney damage and sepsis (blood poisoning).

Symptoms in men

There are a few different symptoms that men may experience if they have a UTI. They may have pain or burning when urinating, cloudy or bloody urine, strong-smelling urine, urinary urgency or frequency, and pelvic pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see a doctor right away so that the infection doesn't spread. It's also important to drink plenty of fluids and take antibiotics as prescribed by your physician

Symptoms in women

 

Females are more prone to urinary tract issues than males. This is because a woman's urethra is shorter than a man's, making it easier for bacteria to travel up the urethra and into the bladder. Symptoms of a UTI may include:

- A strong, persistent urge to urinate

- A burning sensation when urinating

- cloudy, dark, or bloody urine

- pelvic pain or pressure - blood in the urine

- abdominal cramps that come and go

UTI during Pregnancy

While a urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur at any age, they are more common in adults. This is because the structure of the urinary tract changes as we age, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder and cause an infection. Pregnancy can also increase your risk of developing a UTI. This is due to the increased blood flow to the pelvis and the pressure of the growing uterus on the bladder. Additionally, there may be decreased protective tissue around the urethra during pregnancy that makes it easier for bacteria to infect. Lastly, if you have diabetes or had surgery involving the pelvic area before pregnancy, you will also be at a higher risk of getting a UTI while pregnant.

How Are They Treated?

UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The most common antibiotic used to treat UTIs is ciprofloxacin (Cipro). Cipro can cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea and it may not be safe for pregnant women. There are also other antibiotics that can be used to treat UTIs like nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A urologist or a doctor trained in the urinary tract may prescribe these medications if they feel they would be more appropriate for the person's specific condition than Cipro.

Prevention

There are a number of things that you can do to prevent UTIs:

-Drink plenty of fluids, especially water

-To maintain your urge to go, urinate whenever you feel like it.

-After using the toilet, you should wipe front to back.

-Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays, douches, and other irritants around your vagina