As per medical science, a trigger is a specific event that starts a chain of body reactions to cause symptoms and a particular outcome. UTIs happen when microbes that cause the infection reach the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra to affect the urinary tract.
UTI mostly starts from the bladder and urethra to reach different organs. When it comes to understanding all the triggers, knowing human anatomy is essential. Women are more to develop UTI than men because their urethra is shorter and closer to the vagina.
What triggers or risk factors of UTI?
The triggers or risk factors of UTI are not fully understood. However, scant evidence discusses a few triggers or risk factors of UTI. These include female anatomy, being sexually active, consuming birth control pills, menopause, issues in the urinary tract, blockage in the urinary tract, suppressed immune system, using a catheter to urinate, urinary surgery, etc.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website has discussed a few more risk factors for UTIs. These include a previous UTI, changes in the microbial environment inside the vagina, pregnancy, aging, age, structural changes in the urinary tract such as enlarged prostate, and poor hygiene routine.
How to prevent UTI?
There are no specific steps to prevent UTIs. However, following a hygienic routine might soothe the condition to improve the quality of life.
Scant evidence recommends people with UTIs drink plenty of liquids, wipe the area from front to back, avoid holding the urine for long hours, change birth control medication, and avoid using too many chemical-filled products in the area.
An article published on pennmedicine.org informs that available research shows cranberry juice has some preventive action against UTIs. However, the data is not enough to confirm the dosage of cranberry juice or cranberry supplements that can treat all types and severity of UTIs.
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