Failure to observe healthy lifestyle practices can result in problems related to the kidney, such as a urinary tract infection. The urinary tract comprises the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethera. Ureters are carrier ducts of urine from the kidney to the bladder. The urine gets stored in the bladder and finally eliminated from the body through the urethera.
The kidney is a bean shaped organ of our body which helps in filtering and cleaning of blood by removing toxins, excess water and wastes as urine through the urinary tract. They perform a vital function of constant monitoring of the quality of blood, acid-base content, to keep it pure and free from viruses, bacteria, waste products etc.
Depending upon the region infected the generic term urinary tract infection can be subclassified into pyelonephritis (kidney infection), ureter infection, cystisis (bladder infection) and urethritis (urethral infection). Common pathogens which cause UTI include bacteria, especially E Coli, fungi and parasites which multiply and invade the urinary tract. UTI can also be transmitted through STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease). The symptoms include pain and burning sensation in passing urine, fever, nausea, vomitting etc. UTI is more common in women than men due to their peculiar anatomy. It is detected by examination of the urine sample.
To maintain a healthy kidney one must drink plenty of water and keep the tract flushed clean at all times. One should not control the natural urinating call for prolonged durations. One must have a healthy intake of nutrients, plenty of water and avoid smoking and intoxication in any form. Sexual hygiene of partners in intercourse is a must.
However, if one does get affected by a urinary tract infection, simple infections can be treated well and prevented from spreading to other parts of the body through antibiotics oral or intravenous in severe cases. But complicated infections can cause permanent kidney damage or infection of other organs such as prostrate, vagina, epididymis due to their proximity to the tract if the body gets resistant to antibiotics. Therefore corrective action must be initiated timely.