Urinary tract infections are a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year. Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Normally, urine is free of bacteria, viruses, and fungi but does contain fluids, salts, and waste products. An infection occurs when tiny organisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Most infections arise from one type of bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the colon.

Urinary Tract Infection

Life can definitely come at you in various ways. You simply never know if tomorrow will bring something bad or something wonderful. Life is plain and simply unpredictable in that way. With the vast array of sickness, disease, and health conditions now days; life can get pretty hairy in a heartbeat. Take the ever-common urinary tract infection for example. No one wants one of these; however, you could acquire one for reasons beyond your current understanding. Much of this has to do with your current health and lifestyle. Are you living well, and drinking plenty of water? It could prevent a urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infection and kidney stones

Have you ever had a urinary tract infection? The mere title sounds intimidating if you ask me. There's just that whole thing with the catheter that comes to mind. I do not want anyone sticking one of these in me. Yikes! I can still recall when my wife acquired a urinary tract infection during her last pregnancy with our daughter. All in all, she seemed to take it rather well. They did have to aid her in the urination process, but she did well to say the least. I think I would have been dying. Much of the time a urinary tract infection can be linked to kidney stones. Trust me when I say this is something you do not want, ever! My poor, poor uncle had this affliction last month and claimed that it nearly killed him. He had to head on over to the hospital to have those irksome stones removed. Fortunately he was able to get it taken care of before it became too serious.

Speaking of a urinary tract infection, my cat just had one. That fat little dude was moaning and groaning like a wild beast. I felt so bad for him. At first I thought that it must be due to his overweight figure. However, the vet informed me that it was caused by the tap water. It must be all the minerals. I was told to put him on distilled water to prevent any new urinary tract infection from forming. This is something every cat owner may want to consider. Believe it or not, but the water you give your cat can kill him/her.

To learn more about the dreaded "urinary tract infection" just visit this gov health site for all the details of UTI symptoms to look for and the treatments available. www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov

Article by G.B. Flintwood an independent writer for Healthy Help FIles on Health Issues.

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