Urinary tract infections increase and your diet may be the culprit
There has been an increase in cases of urinary tract infections around the world, and it is getting more difficult to treat the condition with antibiotics.
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Urinary tract infections or UTIs affect many Americans, causing millions of visits to the doctor each year. According to the American Medical Association, about 60% of women and 12% of men will experience a UTI at least once in their life.
UTI cases have been on the rise in recent years. According to a study, the overall disease burden linked to these infections has climbed by almost 70% from 1990 to 2019.
Urinary tract infections have also become more deadly because the bacteria involved in the condition have become resistant to drugs typically used to treat UTIs. If left untreated, the infection can spread to the kidneys and lead to more serious health issues.
What is a urinary tract infection (UTI) and what causes it?
A UTI is an infection that affects any part of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Most UTIs involve the lower urinary tract, which would affect the bladder and urethra.
The most common cause of UTIs is the presence of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli or E. coli, which usually inhabits the digestive system. These bacteria can enter the urethra and travel up into the bladder, causing an infection.
Sexual intercourse can also push bacteria into the urethra, especially in women, where the urethra is shorter and closer to the anus.
Another culprit could be hygiene practices. Wiping back to front instead of front to back, as well as poor hygiene, can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract.
Why is the number of urinary tract infections increasing?
According to a 2023 study, your diet could be increasing chances of contracting the infection. The data shows as many as 640,000 cases of UTI could be caused by E. coli bacteria found on meat.
These bacteria are known to cause digestive issues when found on food, but they can also surprisingly cause UTIs. E. coli bacteria often live in the guts of animals, including those which are slaughtered for meat.
The bacteria can contaminate the meat, and populate the digestive system of humans who consume the products. The E. coli can then travel to the urinary tract and cause an infection.