Urinary Tract Infections

What is a Urinary Tract Infection?

Your urinary tract consists of your kidneys, bladder, the tubes between your kidneys and bladder, and your urethra, the tube that urine uses to exit your body. 

When any part of this tract becomes inflamed or infected because of an invader, you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Millions of women and some men get a UTI each year, and it usually isn’t serious unless it reaches your kidneys.

UTIs occur when bacteria get into your urinary tract, usually via your urethra. This can occur as a result of bacteria from your colon reaching the area or from an STD. Women are more prone to UTIs simply because of the arrangement of their anatomy.

What are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?

Some urinary tract infections come without any noticeable symptoms while others cause discomfort or even excruciating pain. 

Nonetheless, there are signs you should watch out for to determine whether your urinary tract is infected. The earlier you seek treatment, the better chance you have of keeping the infection from reaching your kidneys.

Signs and symptoms of UTIs include:

• Pain or stinging while urinating
• A persistent need to urinate
• Small amounts of urine coming out frequently
• Cloudy urine
• Foul-smelling urine
• Red, pink, or brown colors in your urine

In addition to these symptoms, some women who get UTIs also notice a dull pain in their pelvis as the infection spreads. A UTI in the kidneys causes worse symptoms that affect your whole body, like fever, chills, and vomiting.

How Can I Alleviate a Urinary Tract Infection?

Our team creates a treatment plan for your UTI based on its severity and its location along your urinary tract. 

After assessing your symptoms, a physician may prescribe antibiotic medication and give you recommendations to alleviate your discomfort, such as:

• Drinking lots of water to flush the tract
• Pain-relieving medications
• Applying heat to the area
• Avoiding alcoholic beverages
• Avoiding spicy foods

Be sure to follow your course of treatment until your infection is gone. Don’t stop the course of antibiotics if your symptoms go away before it’s over. This can cause the UTI to return.

If your urination habits change or if urination is uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to call us to get treatment and prevention tips for urinary tract infections.