Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Adults: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Urinary tract infections in adults are a painful but common medical complaint. Complications are rare, but until treated, urinary tract infections can cause a serious interruption to daily life. Urinary tract infections include bladder, prostate, urethral and kidney infections.

Symptoms

• The primary symptoms of urinary tract infections in adults are a frequent urge to urinate but only passing a small amount of urine plus burning or itching during urination.

Diagnosis

• Doctors diagnose urinary tract infections in adults through a urinalysis and urine culture. A urine sample is required for these tests.

Treatment

• Most urinary tract infections can be easily alleviated with a short course of antibiotics. The physician may also prescribe medicine to ease the discomfort caused by the infection.

Predisposition

• Women are more prone to urinary tract infections than men. Sexual intercourse increases the risk in young women, and being menopausal increases the risk in older women.

Prevention

• Drinking cranberry juice or taking a cranberry-based supplement may help prevent urinary tract infections. Thorough and proper cleaning (wiping front to back) after a bowel movement or sex may also help.