The Urinary Tract

• The urinary tract is responsible for producing and carrying urine out of the body. It consists of the bladder, kidneys and the tubes connecting them. According to medterms.com, a urinary tract infection is an infection that begins when bacteria called Escherichia ( E. coli) cling to the opening of the urethra and multiply. Women are infected more than men because a woman's urethra is shorter and closer to the anus and vagina where E. coli is produced.
  
  

Signs and Symptoms of Infection

• According to medicinenet.com, not everyone who has a UTI experiences symptoms. Common symptoms include the frequent urge to urinate, pain in the bladder or urethra while urinating, fatigue, lower abdomen pressure for women and rectum fullness for men while not urinating. A common sign of a UTI is the limited ability to pass a significant amount of urine. The urine may look cloudy. If blood is present, it is likely that the UTI has moved up into the bladder or kidneys.
  
  

Warning

• If the symptoms of a UTI become worse or more intense, or if you develop a low-grade fever, it is likely that the infection has spread or is no longer treatable by home remedies. In this case, it is crucial to see a doctor. Medicinenet.com states that if a UTI goes untreated and spreads to the kidneys, it could cause permanent damage. At this point, the infection can only be treated with surgery.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• There are simple steps to take to avoid and treat a UTI. Replenishing your body with water is an easy treatment. Flush your system with water to prevent bacteria from multiplying. Urinate frequently, especially before and after sexual intercourse, to prevent bacteria from clinging to the urethra. Your doctor may prescribe such antibacterial drugs as Ciprofloxacin, Amoxicillin and Ampicillin to rid your of the infection within days. Also, aafp.org states that drinking cranberry juice promotes urinary tract health and can help ease discomfort during an infection.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Alvin Hopkinson is a researcher of natural remedies and urinary tract infection treatment who has written several articles about the treatments of UTIs and whether natural or traditional remedies were more effective. In an article posted at www.trusted.md titled, "Treatment of UTI -- Natural vs. Traditional," Hopkinson wrote: "If you are on prescription medication for any medical conditions, there could be a reaction from using natural remedies. It is of the utmost importance that you do not self medicate for the treatment of UTI...In general, using natural remedies and traditional remedies will both take a little time before you begin to feel relief as the bacteria is removed from your body."