In a recent article posted over at Medical News Today, information from the October 2008 issue of Urologic Nursing was presented looking at urinary tract infections.

Author David D. Rahn reports that studies show that up to 22% of women have recurrent UTIs requiring repeated treatments with antibiotics.  Rahn says that anything that limits or inhibits the emptying of the bladder causes an increased risk for urinary tract infections.

Some of the common risk factors for UTI:

• decreased bladder function
• cardiovascular accidents
• fecal incontinence
• sexual intercourse

Signs and symptoms of UTIs to watch for include:

• painful urination
• frequent and urgent urination
• mild urinary incontinence
• fever
• chills
• nausea
• abdominal pain

Nurses can educate their female patients of all ages about proper hygiene, signs and symptoms, and risk factors.