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The frustration and discomfort of needing to urinate and being unable to go is unnerving. Burning and spasms soon lead to the conclusion that it's a urinary tract infection that is causing your pain. Get out the cranberry juice and call the doctor because this is a problem that you can't wait to get rid of!

The urinary tract consists of the kidneys which produce urine, the bladder which is a reservoir to collect the urine, and the urethra which is the pathway to release the urine from the body.

Most urinary tract infections start at the urethra due to infections from the outside. These infections can come from several sources:

1. Contamination from fecal matter which is transferred from the rectal area. This can usually be prevented by making sure to wipe from front to back. But in infants or elderly incontinent individuals it is important to be aware that this transfer can take place any time there is stool in the diaper.

2. During sexual intercourse contaminants can be introduced into the urethra as well. Urination after intercourse can assist in avoiding this problem.

3. The use of bath products, especially powder and bubble baths can also contaminate the urethra. Avoiding these products can help to cut down on incidents of infection.

Two other major causes of urinary tract infections are dehydration and obstruction. When there is not enough fluid coming into the body, then the small amount of urine produced is concentrated and does not provide adequate irrigation of the urinary tract. Stagnant and concentrated urine leads to development of infection.

Obstruction of the urinary tract is more often a problem in men than in women because of the greater length of the urethra. The enlargement of the prostate gland can put pressure on the urethra making it difficult to pass urine from the bladder. The residual urine which is trapped in the bladder can be a source of infection. Kidney stones which develop within the urinary tract can also cause painful obstructions but these do not usually cause infection. Never-the-less they are very painful and may initially be mistaken for a urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infections whether caused by contamination, dehydration or obstruction must be treated. Three primary approaches should be taken.

1. Increase the intake of fluid significantly. To determine water intake, the Mayo Clinic suggests dividing body weight in pounds by two and using this number as the number of ounces of water one should consume each day. So a 200 pound person should drink 100 ounces of water daily.

2. Cranberry Juice has long been known to acidify the urine making it inhospitable to bacteria. Drinking a couple of glasses of this juice daily may help. Also decreasing the intake of concentrated sugars may help to resolve infections.

3. Antibiotics may be prescribed by your physician. These medications, usually taken orally for a few days will usually clear the infection effectively.

The important thing is to make sure the problem gets resolved. A urinary tract infection in a small child or an elderly adult can lead very quickly to a significant degradation of wellness, causing weakness, decreased activity and even confusion. Don't delay. There is no use to continue to deal with the discomfort and danger of spreading infection. Drink the water and the juice and give the doctor a call. And get back on the road to comfort!

Learn more about this author, Susan Kliebenstein.
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