The urinary tract is a group of organs responsible for the production and elimination of urine.
Urinary tract infections are infections that can affect the bladder and/or the kidneys.
Bladder infections, medically known as cystitis, are more common compared to kidney infections. They occur when bacteria reach the urethra and localize in the bladder.
Kidney infections occur when bacteria „ascend” from the bladder to the kidneys. The medical term for kidney infections is pyelonephritis.
Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection
The most common signs and symptoms of cystitis include:
– Pain or a burning sensation during urination;
– Sensitivity in the lower abdomen;
– Passing a small amount of urine and feeling the need to urinate frequently;
– Feeling an urgent need to urinate or immediately after the sensation of needing to urinate;
– Presence of blood in the urine or urine that appears red (hematuria).
Symptoms of a kidney infection include all of the above symptoms, accompanied by: fever, chills, back pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Why do some people get urinary tract infections more often?
Firstly, it is important to verify if the symptoms you are experiencing are indeed indicative of a urinary tract infection. These symptoms can often be caused by other diseases and infections, such as gastrointestinal or genital infections. However, if you experience recurrent infections, there are measures that can help prevent their recurrence.
