The answer to what causes a urinary tract infection is simple. Bacteria. The most common being E coli, or Escherichia coli. Your body’s immune system is designed to fend off infections of all kinds, but when your defenses are down, or you are exposed to more bacteria than usual, you can experience pain or difficulty until enough energy can be mobilized against the invading forces. The best answer we found on this subject was at at www.emedicinehealth.com. Here’s what it had to say:
What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection?
E.Coli Bacteria Illustration
The urine is normally sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract.
- The culprit in at least 90% of uncomplicated infections is a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, better know as E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the bowel (colon) and around the anus.
- These bacteria can move from the area around the anus to the opening of the urethra. The two most common causes of this are poor hygiene and sexual intercourse.
- Usually, the act of emptying the bladder (urinating) flushes the bacteria out of the urethra. If there are too many bacteria, urinating may not stop their spread.
- The bacteria can travel up the urethra to the bladder, where they can grow and cause an infection.
- The infection can spread further as the bacteria move up from the bladder via the ureters.
- If they reach the kidney, they can cause a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), which can become a very serious condition if not treated promptly.
You can read more of this article and find our more about what causes a urinary tract infection by going to: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/urinary_tract_infections/page2_em.htm. In our opinion, not every site has all of the best answers. So we are pleased to continue to provide the best answers we’ve found, here for you all in one place. If you suffer from UTI’s frequently, you are not unlike many others who have experienced the same thing but have learned how to reduce their occurance and treat them safely and naturally. You can read Terri’s story here.
