Solve the problem of urinary tract infections with urology care in the Park City area

When most people here the term “urinary tract infection,” what they think of is an infection in the bladder. The bladder, however, is just one part of the entire urinary tract, rooming with a pair of kidneys, a pair of ureters, and the urethra. It is the kidneys, situated on each side of the spine near the mid-back, that continually filter blood for the removal of waste and extra water. Urine, composed of excess water and waste, travels through the ureters from the kidneys and comes to rest in the bladder before elimination through the urethra. With the complexity of the urinary tract, it is understandable that bacterial infection can occur.

The bacterium most commonly associated with urinary tract infections is E. coli, a type normally found in the human gut. The body has several lines of defense to protect the urinary tract from bacterial infection. First, the ureters contain valves that keep urine flowing downward toward the bladder. When we urinate, microbes are eliminated from the body. Despite natural defenses, however, there are times when the urinary tract does become infected.

Women tend to experience urinary tract infections more frequently than men. One reason for this is a shorter urethra, which more easily allows bacteria to invade the bladder. The E. coli bacterium also lives in the anus, and the proximity of this body part to the urethra is quite close. Additional risks for urinary tract infections include:

• Diaphragm use
• Impaired immune system
• Diabetes
• Nerve damage or spinal cord injury
• Abnormalities of the urinary tract
• Use of a catheter to drain the bladder

Fortunately, most urinary tract infections are quite minor in nature. The potential for serious problems does exist, however. If the kidneys are chronically infected, permanent damage such as poor kidney function or scarring may develop. Keeping the urinary tract healthy means receiving appropriate urology care in the Park City area at the first sign of symptoms such as:

• Burning during urination
• An intense, frequent urge to urinate followed by little passage of urine
• Pain in the sides or back
• Dark, cloudy, or odorous urine
• Fever

Urinary tract infections tend to respond quickly to prescribed antibiotic treatment. Our team has a great deal of experience handling first-time, chronic, and recurring urinary tract infections. To obtain treatment for restored comfort, contact us in Park City, Woodstock, or Lake Forest.