by William Menna

Created on: February 19, 2009

Urinary tract infections are typically caused by bacteria infiltrating one or more parts of the urinary tract (kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra). Approximately four out of ten women and one out of ten men will suffer from a urinary tract infection at some point. Certain risk factors increase your odds of becoming part of that statistic. Some causes can be tamed through adjustments in lifestyle, but a few risk factors are uncontrollable like gender and age.

Bacteria infiltrating the urinary tract is the primary cause of infection. There are a number of risk factors that can increase the odds of developing a urinary tract infection. Gender is the single greatest predictor of urinary tract infections. According to the Mayo Clinic, women face far higher odds of being infected because they have much shorter urethras than men, giving bacteria easier access to the bladder.

Age is a significant risk factor in the development of urinary tract infections. In fact, it can work in both directions as seniors and young children are more likely to develop urinary tract infections than adults and teens.

Other conditions involving the urinary tract or the immune system can also give way to infection. People suffering from kidney stones or diabetes face an increased likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection. In men, an enlarged prostate can increase the odds of developing an infection. A urinary tract infection can also develop as a side-effect of catheterization or other surgical procedure.

Dehydration can contribute to the development of a urinary tract infection. Regularly drinking plenty of fluids, specifically water, is one of the easiest ways to prevent a UTI. Additionally, cranberry juice may have properties that help to fight infections of the urinary tract, making it one of the most popular natural remedies.

Hygiene practices are additional major contributors to the development of urinary tract infections. After using the bathroom, wipe from front to back and be thorough in your cleaning. In women, the use of a diaphragm or any form of birth control or using any kind of birth control that contains spermicide can cause urinary tract infection, per the National Institute of Health; even regularly wearing thong underwear has been associated with UTI.

Other lifestyle factors can play a role in causing a urinary tract infection. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, regular consumption of caffeine or alcohol can cause bladder irritation, increasing the odds of infection. Similarly, the use of feminine hygiene products can irritate the urethra, so it's best to avoid them. Sexual intercourse is also associated with UTI. To reduce the risk, keep the genital area clean before and after and urinate as soon as possible after sexual intercourse.

If you suspect you are dealing with a urinary tract infection, talk to your doctor about the next logical step. Some urinary tract infections disappear after a short period of time, but most are treated with antibiotics even if they are fairly mild; this is to prevent complications such as infection spreading to the kidneys.

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