UTI stands for urinary tract infection and the chances for women to acquire it is much more than men. Repeat infections are also common among women. The stats reveal that one in two women can be diagnosed with UTI at some point of their life. For men, the stats say it is one in ten men.

What is UTI?
An infection in any part of the urinary tract is referred to as a urinary tract infection. The urinary system is inclusive of the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and ureters. Common in women, repeat infections are a common show too. The stats depict that one in two women develop UTI while for men it is one in ten. This stat is about the occurrence of the disease in one’s lifetime.

Types of UTIs
The various types of UTIs are as follows:

1. Pyelonephritis
This type of UTI occurs in the kidneys. Common symptoms of this condition include chills, nausea, vomiting, body pain, and fever.

2. Cystitis
This type of urinary tract infection occurs in the bladder. In this medical condition, there is a constant need to pass urine, and/or it can ache during urination. Some patients also have pain in the lower abdomen.

3. Urethritis
The UTI caused in the urethra is called urethritis. One can experience a discharge during urination and a burning sensation too.

Early warning signs of UTI

1. Changes in the urine pattern
One should check the nature and color of the urine. If it has turned dark yellow or cloudy in nature, this could be an early warning sign of UTI. The normal color of urine for a properly hydrated person is clear in nature or pale yellow. Any variations should lead to a visit to the doctor.

2. Exhaustion
The body drains off easily if one is suffering from a UTI the reason being is that the immune system can be a bit slow to respond to the urinary tract infection.

3. Belly pain
Belly pain i.e. pain in the abdominal area is another common early warning sign of this medical condition. This is so as the bacteria move from the rectum to the urethra and then up to the bladder. The pain can be intense and it is advisable to visit the doctor for a consultation.

4. Frequent urination
A body that is affected by UTI will suffer from frequent urination. The patient will feel the urge to pass urine but the quantity will not be much. It’s like a false sense of urgency. This is a common early warning sign of the disease. Also, the urine will have a foul smell due to the bacteria present in the urine.

5. Stomach flu symptoms
Stomach flu symptoms will occur apart from abdominal pain. The signs for this are backache, nausea, and vomiting.

Prevention of UTI
Among all the other things, it is necessary to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Staying hydrated is a key aspect in the prevention of this disease. This will highly reduce the chances of acquiring a urinary tract infection.