According to women’s health pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm, women are at higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection than their male counterparts. Here, Ahlgrimm describes the most effective treatments for a urinary tract infection, along with tips on how to reduce the likelihood of developing one.
Q: How does a UTI typically affect the human body?
Marla Ahlgrimm: A UTI may have a major impact on any area of the urinary system. By definition, the urinary system consists of the kidneys and ureters, as well as the urethra and the bladder. The upper urinary tract includes the ureters and kidneys.
Q: Is a UTI clearly noticeable when present in the body?
Marla Ahlgrimm: A urinary tract infection can be extremely painful. Infection generally affects the kidneys, which may cause nausea, chills, fever and voting, and other serious problems. Serious health issues may occur when a urinary tract infection progresses into the kidneys. In terms of infections, only respiratory infection is more common among adult women.
Q: What are some of the more common signs that a person may be affected by UTI?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Urine with a cloudy tint is one visible sign of a problem. It may also appear red or bright pink, which indicates blood in the urine. Women may experience pelvic pain or a burning sensation while urinating.
Q: Are certain women more susceptible to a UTI?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Women who use spermicidal agents and diaphragms may be at greater risk. After menopause, many women experience UTIs as a result of lower estrogen levels that cause vulnerabilities in the urinary tract. Abnormalities in the urinary tract itself can be the cause of a UTI as well. Finally, a compromised immune system has been shown to increase UTI risk.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,