Urinary Tract Infections or UTI are a serious health problem affecting millions of people every year. It is a common infection and occurs when bacteria enter the opening of the urethra due to various causes. From there they travel up the urinary tract and multiply. Women contract more bladder infections than men. Although doctors are unsure why, they believe it is due to the shorter length of the urethra. Although bladder infections aren’t serious if treated quickly, they can cause damage if left untreated. Some patients experience recurrent or chronic bladder infections.
The body has natural defenses to help prevent bacterial infections; however, sometimes the bacteria grow faster than the body is able to kill it. This is especially true when a patient has a compromised immune system or other chronic medical problems.