Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria infect the urinary tract. A common type of UTI is cystitis. Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that enter through the urethra — the tube that carries urine out of the body — and multiply in the bladder.

Symptoms include needing to urinate more often and urgently than usual, a burning sensation when urinating, and discomfort or pressure on the lower abdomen. Women are more likely to develop UTIs because their shorter urethra allows bacteria to reach the bladder more easily.

Some people experience recurrent UTIs (rUTIs), meaning the infection returns several times over a period of months or years. Recurrent UTIs have been associated with the disruption of the GAG layer, the bladder’s protective coating which helps prevent irritating substances in urine from penetrating the bladder tissue and causing inflammation.