What is the full form of UTI

UTI: Urinary Tract Infection

UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. It is an infection of the urinary tract. It is usually caused by bacteria and can happen in any part of the urinary tract like kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. UTI is a common medical condition in females as around 50% of all females suffer from UTI during their lifetime. The UTIs that affect upper urinary tract (kidneys and ureters) are rare but more severe than lower tract UTIs that affect bladder and urethra.

UTI Symptoms:

The symptoms of UTI may vary from person to person depending on which part of the urinary tract is infected.

Common symptoms of lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) infection are as follows:

• Burning sensation during urination
• Frequent urination without passing much urine
• Cloudy urine or blood in urine
• Strong odor in urine
• Pelvic pain in women
• Rectal pain in men

Common symptoms of upper urinary tract (kidneys and ureters) infection are as follows

• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pain in the upper back

Cause

The majority of UTIs are caused by pathogens, particularly bacteria like E.coli. The pathogen enters the urinary tract through urethra or anus. From urethra it reaches the bladder where it starts multiplying. The infection usually occurs in the bladder and urethra. The infection of the bladder is known as cystitis and infection of the urethra is known as urethritis.

UTI Prevention:

• Drink plenty of water
• Don't hold urine for longer duration
• Don't use deodorants spray in the genital area
• Eat fruits loaded with vitamin C
• Wipe from front to back after urinating or a bowel movement
• Empty your bladder after intercourse