Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be unpleasant and irritating, especially if you don’t get them treated quickly enough. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to help prevent UTIs from occurring and help treat them if they do happen to strike. We’ll take a look at the three most common types of UTIs – bladder infections, cystitis, and kidney infections – as well as their causes and treatments. If you have any questions about UTI Munster or how to prevent and treat them, contact the experienced professionals at Dr. Kenneth O’Brien today!
What Are Urinary Tract Infections?
An infection of the urinary tract can affect any part of the body’s urinary system. Most commonly they occur in the bladder but in severe cases can spread to the kidneys. If left untreated, a UTI can progress from an uncomfortable condition to a life-threatening illness requiring hospitalization. That’s why it is important for people with recurrent UTIs or those at risk for developing them (including pregnant women) to get frequent screening for bacteriuria as well as other factors that predispose them towards the development of UTIs. It’s not always easy to determine if someone has a UTI since many different types may not have symptoms that are specific enough for diagnosis.
What Causes A UTI?
People who are obese, pregnant, or elderly are at greater risk for developing UTIs. Diabetes increases the risk as well. Poor hygiene also increases your chances of getting a UTI. Other factors that increase your chances include pregnancy, not drinking enough fluids, and being over forty years old. Some medications, birth control methods, and being pregnant or diabetic can also make you more likely to get a UTI. The frequency of a person urinating can also cause UTIs because if the urine stays in the bladder for too long it causes an infection. If you go more than two hours without going to the bathroom then bacteria starts accumulating in the bladder which can cause an infection called cystitis.
Are There Symptoms Of A UTI?
There are many symptoms of a UTI. The symptoms can vary, depending on where the infection is located. Some signs include fever, pain in the abdomen or lower back, painful urination, hematuria (blood in urine), difficult or painful bowel movements, urinary frequency, and urgency.
Can You Treat Yourself?
It’s important to take care of your body, which means understanding when it’s appropriate to go to the doctor. Thankfully UTIs are easy to treat at home with natural remedies, so you can save yourself a trip or expense! However, if you’re concerned about symptoms not getting better in 48 hours or suspect that your UTI has spread beyond the bladder, head on over and talk with a physician. The best defense against the development of UTIs is an ounce of prevention.
When Should You See A Doctor?
It’s hard to know if you have a UTI when they are so common. But there are some signs that you should pay attention to. Sometimes if you don’t treat a UTI, it can develop into an infection of the kidneys or bloodstream. When this happens, you may see symptoms like dizziness, pain in your lower back or stomach, vomiting, difficulty urinating or a feeling that you need to urinate more often than usual. It’s important not to wait for these symptoms because the condition could worsen quickly and become life-threatening. See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms—the earlier UTIs are diagnosed the easier they are for doctors to cure!
What Are The Risks Of An Antibiotic?
- The common side effects of antibiotics may include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, dry mouth, and itching skin.
- In rare cases, these symptoms may be severe and lead to a life-threatening infection called Clostridium difficile colitis.
- Hospitalized patients are most at risk because they are often already sick or have a weakened immune system that can’t fight off the bad bacteria an antibiotic was intended for in the first place.
- Treating this with IV fluids may not cure it since only 1 in 10 antibiotics are effective against C difficile colitis, which is why doctors recommend more targeted measures like fecal transplants if possible.
When Can Antibiotics Not Be Used?
Diagnosis of kidney infection is based on a urine sample, which may contain white blood cells or pus. Treatment can be as straightforward as taking an antibiotic for a few days; if kidney function begins to deteriorate, surgery may be necessary. A kidney infection has more severe effects than a bladder infection because the kidneys clean waste from the blood by removing fluid and salts. If your doctor tells you that you have a kidney infection, it is important to get treatment right away in order for your kidneys not to fail completely.
As with bladder infections, antibiotic prescriptions are recommended for 7-10 days after symptoms are gone if they reappear.
How Are Kidney Infections Treated?
Kidney infections, or pyelonephritis, are when bacteria from the bladder reach the kidneys. The most common symptom is fever with shaking chills. You may also have nausea, vomiting, blood in your urine, and pain in your side. However, about half of people with a kidney infection don’t have any symptoms at all! If you do notice symptoms, see a doctor immediately to make sure that it isn’t something more serious like sepsis.
Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About Getting Rid Of This Thing?!
1 Know the signs of a UTI. There are signs that are more common for UTIs in women than men, but keep in mind that anyone can have a UTI. The most common sign is pain or burning when urinating, followed by nausea and dizziness. Other symptoms include blood in urine, fever, chills, and feeling like you need to pee all the time or can’t completely empty your bladder no matter how hard you try. These are the most common symptoms of UTIs in adults, but if you think it might be one call your doctor just to make sure they don’t turn into something more serious.
