After the common cold, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infections to affect women and men. UTIs are usually caused by bacteria that can invade any part of your urinary tract. Fortunately, UTIs can be treated if you get an early diagnosis and follow your treatment program.

Women have far more urinary tract infections than men, but men suffer from UTIs too. Symptoms typically include a burning sensation during urination, urinary frequency and urgency. You may even see blood in your urine. You can help your treatment be successful if you get an early diagnosis, understand the cause of your infection and follow your entire course of treatment.

Your medical evaluation will allow your doctor to diagnose the particular type of urinary tract infection you have and plan a treatment program for you. Your medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests and possibly X-rays are the best ways to identify the location of the infection in your urinary tract and its likely cause.

Cystitis, a bladder infection, is the most common UTI in women. Prostatitis is the most common UTI in men. Pyelonephritis is an infection in the kidneys and may occur in both women and men. Although pyelonephritis is less common, it is more serious and can damage your kidneys. Symptoms may include pain in your upper back and fever.
For most UTIs, antibiotics are the best way to eliminate the unwanted bacteria in your urinary tract. Rarely is surgery necessary. But your medications need help from you to prevent your UTI from recurring. Your role in the treatment regimen may include any or all of the following.

• Take your medication for as long as it's prescribed so you don't get a UTI again.
  
• Drink enough fluids every day to help flush bacteria out of your system.
  
• Practice personal hygiene by always wiping yourself from front to rear.
  
• Empty your bladder whenever you feel the urge to urinate because residual urine promotes infection. Women should always try to urinate after sex.
  
• Avoid irritating foods, especially if you have prostatitiis. Spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, anti-histamines and cough medicines can aggravate your UTI.
  
• Keep follow-up appointments with your doctor to ensure the bacteria is gone and to begin new treatment should problems recur.

Your UTI can usually be treated successfully, and prevented from recurring, with your help. When you work with your doctor, you are giving yourself the best chance for a full recovery.