Urinary tract infections are a very common yet miserable infection to have. Despite their commonness, many people don’t know much about them except for little rules of thumb about how to avoid them. Unfortunately, these rules have not completely stopped the occurrence of UTIs, so it is helpful to understand what they are, what to look for, and how to deal with one if you get them. This is important because UTIs can infect multiple areas and develop into more severe problems if not taken care of properly. Even though they may become a more serious concern, UTIs are not severe if treated, and with the appropriate treatment will eventually heal completely.
UTI Symptoms You Should Know
The urinary system is composed of the urethra, kidneys, and bladder which can all become infected. These infections are collectively known as urinary tract infections and begin in the urethra. When bacteria enters the urethra, it also enters the urinary tract, which is how it can spread to the other parts of the system when left untreated. The main causes of UTIs are sexual intercourse, obesity, immune system disorders, diabetes, and menopause in women. Symptoms for UTIs vary based on the location that the infection is found in. When experiencing painful urination it means that the bladder or urethra is infected. These infections are called lower tract UTIs. Abdominal pain, dark urine, bloody urine, cloudy urine, urine with a strong odor, and fatigue are also common symptoms of these infections. If the infection has reached the kidney a common symptom is becoming feverish.
UTI Treatment
If you suspect you have a UTI, it is important to consult a doctor for further examination and testing. There are a handful of ways to test if a person has a UTI with the most common ways being through urine samples and urine cultures, which can be used to grow the bacteria present in your urinary tract. If a patient has frequent issues with UTIs, a doctor may use imaging to map out your urinary system or schedule a scope for deeper examination. Treatment for a UTI can vary in detail due to the different types of bacteria causing the infection, as well as the frequency with which the infections are occurring. One home remedy that is backed by doctors is drinking cranberry juice. However, it is still likely that your doctor will prescribe with you some form of antibiotics, to begin with, upon diagnosing the infection. After taking the antibiotics, infections usually clear up within a few days assuming no further complications. If it is a frequent issue, your doctor will likely try and prescribe stronger antibiotics. In cases of severe infection, attention from a hospital may be required in order to administer antibiotics intravenously. However, these are rare cases and most UTIs do not involve anything further than the first round of antibiotics.