Men Have More to Fear From Urinary Tract Infections than Women
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common types of bacterial infections in the United States and are responsible for approximately 8.1 million visits to healthcare providers each year. While women are often the ones who are more concerned with getting urinary tract infections and are more likely to suffer from them, a new report shows that it may, in fact, be men who have more to fear. According to Henry Ford Hospital urologists, older men who contract urinary tract infections are actually far more likely to experience more serious bladder health repercussions, and often wind up hospitalized because of them. Continue reading…
Although kidney stones are often described as one of the most painful occurrences a person may experience, in its early stages, the condition may often be confused with urinary tract infections (UTIs) – which may delay treatment. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections share many similarities, but also have distinct differences that tell each condition apart.
The urinary system is comprised of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. The kidneys’ main role is to cleanse the blood and allow for waste to be expelled through urine. Urine then travels down the ureters into the bladder where it remains until released. Continue reading…
One in five women will have at least one UTI, also referred to as a bladder infection, in her lifetime. Close to 20 percent of women who have a UTI will have another, and 30 percent of those will have yet another. Beyond this point, statistics show that there is a group of women who will have UTI recurrences throughout their lifetime. Although the numbers are not as high, men are not excluded – about 12 percent of the male population in the United States get a UTI at some point in their lives. Continue reading…
Estrogen may help prevent recurrent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are particularly common in women, with 25 percent experiencing recurrent UTIs. Menopausal women are at a higher risk of UTIs, which has been shown to be linked to lower estrogen levels.
When bacteria enter the bladder, antimicrobial peptides inside the bladder are sent off to fight the infection. Normally, this first line of defense is enough to stop the bacteria and reduce their chance of multiplying. This self-defense ability, however, is reduced in post-menopausal women, so their body can’t resist the infection as efficiently. Continue reading…
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the kidneys, ureters, or bladder. UTIs are common and not usually serious if treated right away. If you don’t take action, though, the infection can spread to your kidneys, which can get serious and cause permanent damage. That’s why it’s good to keep in mind some preventative measures for bladder health and other natural remedies for UTIs.
For the most part, the body flushes out harmful bacteria without a problem. But sometimes an infection can happen when those bacteria stick around, literally, by attaching themselves to the lining of the urinary tract.
Both male and female urinary tracts can be at risk for an attack by nasty bacteria. Continue reading…