Meat may be to blame for the increase in urinary tract infections

People are feeling the burn as urinary tract infection (UTI) rates rise.

UTIs are among the most common infections worldwideaffecting 50% to 60% of women at some point in their lives and they seem to be becoming more common. The burden of disease increased by more than 68% between 1990 and 2019, found the latest research.

Even more alarming is that the bacteria that cause UTIs are becoming more resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them, making these infections more dangerous than ever.

UTIs begin when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract due to genetic predisposition, sexual activity, or poor hygiene.

Symptoms of a UTI include an urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, pressure or pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region, cloudy or blood-colored urine, and strong-smelling urine.

UTIs are 30 times more common in female populations due to the length of the urethra and proximity to the anus.

What is causing the current increase in infections? Rising rates of UTIs can be attributed to several factors, including a growing population, particularly an older population that is more susceptible to UTIs, and a sexually active younger population.

Another contributing factor with serious consequences? Increase in UTIs that are resistant to antibiotics.

“Without changing the way we use our antibiotics, we are on track to have fewer options for treating bladder, kidney, and urosepsis infections,” Cindy Liu, chief medical officer at the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center at the School of George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health. , told National Geographic this week.

Part of this resistance can be attributed to meat consumption, as antibiotic-treated animals promote antibiotic resistance in the populations that eat them.

Michelle Van Kuiken, a urologist and urogynecologist at the University of California, San Francisco, tells Nat Geo, “Eating meat that has been heavily treated with antibiotics may contribute to the increased rate of antibiotic resistance as the human microbiome is being affected by the meat. . consumption. This doesn’t mean that if you eat meat, you’ll get a UTI, but it can make it more likely that you’ll end up colonized with a multidrug-resistant organism.

Meat can also introduce UTI-causing bacteria, especially E.coli, into the body, experts warn.

Research shows that 30% to 70% of meat products are contaminated with E. coli. Although bacteria are usually killed during the cooking process, poor food preparation can easily translate into E. coli coming into contact with food.

Researchers from GWU’s Milken Institute School of Public Health explain how E. coli infections occur: The pathogen, which lives in the gut, travels through the intestines and into the urinary tract, causing infection.

A 2023 study estimated that contaminated meat, especially raw chicken and turkey, causes about half a million UTIs in the US each year.

To mitigate the rise of antibiotic-resistant E. coli, researchers recommend that meat producers inoculate animals against the most dangerous strains to prevent the bacteria from entering the food chain and avoid overuse of antibiotics.

For home cooks, experts suggest following food preparation guidelines from the USDA:

• clean – Wash hands and surfaces frequently.
• separate – Do not contaminate it.
• cook – Cook all meat to a minimum internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
• calm down – Invite him right away.
• disinfect – Disinfect food preparation areas and utensils after each use.

Consumers can also reduce exposure to drug-resistant E. coli by choosing meat products that are labeled organic or antibiotic-free.

To avoid non-food UTIs, experts recommend minimizing the risk through adequate hydration, urinating after sex, frequent hand washing, and hygiene techniques, such as wiping before and behind the back.