What Causes A Bladder Infection
Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder can cause infections. Typically, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination.
Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of your bladder and multiply quickly. This overwhelms the bodys ability to destroy them, resulting in a bladder infection.
Most bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli. This type of bacteria is naturally present in the large intestines.
- a frequent sensation of having to urinate, which is called urgency
- cramping or pressure in your lower abdomen or lower back
When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with an infection in the kidneys. Unlike muscular back pain, this pain will be persistent regardless of your position or activity.
A kidney infection will often cause:
Youll typically feel quite ill. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and require urgent medical attention.
Anyone can get bladder infections, but there are different risks for women and men.
Are Any Tests Needed
A urine sample can confirm the diagnosis and identify the germ causing the infection. Further tests are not usually necessary if you are otherwise well and have a one-off infection. However, your doctor may advise tests of your kidney, prostate gland, or bladder if an underlying problem is suspected.
An underlying problem is more likely if the infection does not clear with an antibiotic medicine, or if you have:
- Symptoms that suggest a kidney is infected .
- Recurring urine infections. For example, two or more in a three-month period.
- Had problems with your kidney in the past, such as kidney stones or a damaged kidney.
- Symptoms that suggest an obstruction to the flow of urine.
- Blood-stained urine which persists after treatment with antibiotics.
Tests may include:
Treatment For Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are typically treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs that combat infection and eradicate bacteria. The medication chosen by your doctor will be the one that works the best against the specific bacteria causing your infection.
Nitrofurantoin, Sulfonamides, Amoxicillin, Cephalosporins, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole, Doxycycline, and Quinolones are a few examples of regularly used antibiotics.
You must take the medication according to your doctors instructions. Dont stop taking antibiotics just because you feel better and your symptoms disappear. It may return if the whole course of antibiotics is not used to treat the illness completely.
If you have a history of recurrent UTIs, your doctor could prescribe antibiotics for you to take as soon as your symptoms appear. In addition, to avoid the infection, doctors may prescribe antibiotics to other patients to take daily, every other day, or after sex.
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What Else Causes Feeling Tired And Unwell
Not surprisingly, because the immune system is involved, any infection in the body bacteria, viral, or fungal can lead to fatigue. Its not uncommon to feel the need to rest and sleep when fighting off some other communicable ailment. In fact, fatigue is a well recognized symptom of the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, and even more disturbing diseases.
Prevent Your Bladder From Getting Too Full
Empty your bladder when needed. Empty it completely each time. This will help to reduce your chances of developing two common problems that increase your risk for UTI.
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When Should I See A Doctor If I Have Lower Back Pain
In many cases lower back pain stops on its own. But if it doesnt, here are some guidelines on when you may want to start seeking professional help:
- If the pain lasts four weeks or longer
- If the pain keeps getting worse as time goes by
- If you are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, major weight loss or weight gain, loss of function or weakness in extremities, bladder problems, etc.
Persistent Urge To Urinate
Another very common symptom of a UTI is the persistent urge to urinate. There may be very little urine, and this is because bacteria infects the bladder or urethra and causes pain and discomfort.
Bacteria are incredibly helpful to our bodies, but certain bacteria are really only suited to live in a certain part of your body . When those bacteria try to relocate to other parts of your body such as your bladder , an infection occurs. In fact, GI bacteria are often some of the main culprits in urinary tract infections.
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Does Cranberry Juice Help Prevent Utis
Youve probably heard cranberry is an effective way to ward off a UTI. Though cranberry is a popular home remedy, scientific evidence does not currently support that it helps prevent UTIs.
Mann says if you want to try it, opt for cranberry tablets rather than sugary cranberry juice. Before taking any supplements, talk to your health care practitioner. These tablets may interact with other medications you are taking, such as blood thinners.
How Long Does Back Pain Last With A Uti
Minor back pain may accompany UTIs. Once antibiotics are started, you should feel better within 12 to 24 hours.
However, untreated UTIs can cause severe infection and complications. Constant, dull, or severe pain can signify a kidney infection. Unlike muscular pain, this pain will be persistent and unrelieved by any alleviating factors.
UTI back pain will last until you begin antibiotic treatment for your UTI.
A UTI that has spread to the kidneys is a serious infection that will typically not go away on its own. Its extremely dangerous for an infection of this nature to go untreated.
If you are experiencing back pain from a UTI seek medical attention immediately, youll likely need antibiotics.
UTIs typically cause lower abdominal pain and not back pain. Lower abdominal pain can last 2-3 days with a UTI and longer for untreated UTIs.
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A Back Pain You Cant Ignore
An upper UTI can cause intense back pain as the infection reaches the kidneys. People will get pain in the lower back and groin area. Back pain comes with two other symptoms: high fever and vomiting. Upper infections happen when a lower UTI goes unchecked or does not respond to antibiotics. These infections are serious and, in severe cases, need hospitalization. If not managed well, the infection can spread to the renal artery and blood, which is life-threatening.
Is Uti Common After Spinal Cord Injury
Yes. Here are 3 of the more common reasons people with SCI develop UTIs.
1. Most people lose normal urinary function after SCI. They need a bladder management option to empty the urine from their bladder to keep their bladder and kidneys healthy. Most bladder management options make it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder through the urethra.
- Please read Bladder Management Options Following Spinal Cord Injury” to learn more about normal urinary function, how it changes after SCI, and bladder management options.
2. Most people lose normal bowel function after SCI, and contact with stool is common during bowel management. Stool has bacteria that can cause a UTI. UTIs are often caused when bacteria from stool gets into the bladder when the bladder is being emptied.
- Please read Bowel Function after Spinal Cord Injury to learn more about normal bowel function, how it changes after SCI, and bowel management options.
3. Once in the bladder, bacteria are hard to get rid of. People with normal bladder function can usually get rid of most bacteria by fully emptying their bladder when they urinate. However, many people with SCI cant fully empty their bladder, even with good bladder management. This allows bacteria to stay in the bladder almost all of the time, making it easier for a UTI to develop.
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Take The Signs Seriously
UTIs can happen at almost any age in women and at an elderly age in men. Researchers are still searching for the root cause. Until then, take preventative measures to reduce the chances of the condition. For people suspecting a UTI, seek help from a doctor. If the symptoms evolve into back pain, the kidneys are infected. At that point, get medical treatment immediately.
Tracking Down Relief For A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are common infections that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. The infection can spread to your bladder or kidney within three days, which is why women should seek care immediately for a quick diagnosis and prompt treatment.
Urinary tract infections are common infections that can cause serious health problems if left untreated. The infection can spread to your bladder or kidney within three days, which is why women should seek care immediately for a quick diagnosis and prompt treatment.
By visiting with a doctor right away, you can start antibiotics before the infection spreads. According to Bindi Shukla, MD, an urgent care doctor at Duke Urgent Care Croasdaile, If you think you may have signs of a UTI and develop body aches or lower abdominal pain, you should see a doctor soon.
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When To See A Doctor For A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections usually require a visit to the doctor to confirm diagnosis and receive treatment. If a UTI is suspected, a doctorââ¬â¢s appointment is always recommended for the following groups of people:
- Anyone who has not had a UTI before
- Anyone with blood in their urine
- Anyone with symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection
- Anyone whose symptoms have returned after treatment
Some people who experience UTIs on a frequent basis might be offered different management options by their doctor, such as long-term, low-dose antibiotics. In these special cases, the onset of UTI symptoms may be managed at home, and a visit to the doctor is not always necessary.
In very mild cases, a bladder infection/cystitis may clear on its own without the need for medical treatment. However, other conditions such as genital herpes or vaginal thrush can be mistaken for cystitis, so people who are unsure whether they have cystitis should still see a doctor.
Feeling unwell? People experiencing symptoms that may be linked to a urinary tract infection can carry out a symptom assessment using the free Ada app now.
Causes Of Kidney Infection
A kidney infection usually happens when bacteria, often a type called E. coli, get into the tube that carries urine out of your body .
The bacteria travel up to your bladder, causing cystitis, and then up into your kidneys.
E. coli bacteria normally live in your bowel, where they cause no harm.
They can be transferred from your bottom to your genitals during sex or if youre not careful when wiping your bottom after going to the loo.
A kidney infection can sometimes develop without a bladder infection. For example, if you have a problem with your kidney, such as kidney stones, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
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Potential Causes Of Pain In Lower Back Kidney Area
When experiencing back pain, musculoskeletal problems are usually the culprit. Occasionally, however, pain in the lower back kidney area is a symptom of kidney-related troubles. If you experience pain in your lower back as well as pain radiating to your side and your groin, your kidneys are a likely culprit. If urinary problems or a fever accompany the pain, a kidney problem is even more likely. Heres everything you need to know about pain in the kidney area .
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Do You Experience Discomfort When You Urinate If So Then You May Have A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections occur in the urethra, bladder, and sometimes the kidneys. Although it does occur in some men, women have a 50% chance of developing a UTI at some point in their lives. Many of those women will likely develop more than one.
The cause of most UTIs is the result of bacteria attaching to the bladder or urethra, which is sometimes the result of sexual intercourse, but can also connect to female anatomy, birth control, pregnancy, or menopause.
There are a few common symptoms of a UTI, and UTIs are generally easy to treat and can clear up in a matter of days. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, then see a doctor before it becomes more severe.
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How Are You Tested For A Uti
The two most common tests to detect UTIs are a urinalysis and a urine culture with antimicrobial susceptibility testing: Urinalysis: A urinalysis is a group of physical, chemical, and microscopic tests on a sample of urine. These tests look for evidence of infection, such as bacteria and white blood cells.
Recognizing A Kidney Infection
When you have a UTI that spreads to your kidneys, youll probably have symptoms in your lower urinary tract first. But the following symptoms indicate that your kidneys may also be affected:
Fever and Chills A UTI thats limited to your lower urinary tract usually doesnt cause flu-like symptoms, but when it spreads to your kidneys, your bodys immune system tends to kick into higher gear.
Pain in Your Lower Back or Side Your kidneys are located on each side of your body in the lower part of your torso. A kidney infection can cause pain on one or both sides of your body, or more general pain in your lower back.
Pain caused by a kidney infection can range from mild to severe.
Nausea and Vomiting These symptoms, like fever and chills, indicate an infection thats more severe and advanced than a typical UTI.
Abdominal or Pelvic Pain An infection in your abdominal region, such as in your kidneys, can cause your abdominal muscles to contract, causing pain.
Your pelvic or groin area may also be painful due to muscle contraction.
Cloudy or Smelly Urine While its possible for an infection in your lower urinary tract to cause changes in your urine, if its noticeably cloudy or smells foul, thats an indication your UTI may have progressed to your kidneys.
Cloudy urine may indicate the presence of pus, a thick, white or yellow liquid that can form in areas of infection.
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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system. This type of infection can involve your urethra , kidneys or bladder, .
Your urine typically doesnt contain bacteria . Urine is a byproduct of our filtration systemthe kidneys. When waste products and excess water is removed from your blood by the kidneys, urine is created. Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. However, bacteria can get into the urinary system from outside of the body, causing problems like infection and inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection .
How Is Back Pain While Urinating Treated
Your treatment will be dependent on your diagnosis. For instance, if the reason behind your lower back pain when urinating is a UTI, you will need to take medication to resolve the UTI. On the other hand, if the cause of the discomfort is a tumor, abscess, or kidney stones, surgery could be necessary.
For alleviating back pain specifically, therapeutic options might include:
-
Pain and frequent urination are making it hard to go about your day
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection In Teens And Adults
The symptoms are different depending on where the infection is.
Symptoms of a UTI in the bladder include:
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- An urge to urinate often, but usually passing only small amounts of urine.
- Pain in the lower belly.
- Urine that looks cloudy, is pink or red, or smells bad.
Symptoms of a UTI in the kidneys include:
- Pain in the flank. This is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back.
- Fever and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
Some people have bacteria in their urinary tract without having any symptoms. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria. It may lead to infections that cause symptoms, but in many cases it doesn’t. It usually goes away without treatment.
Several other conditions, such as vaginal infections or an irritable bladder, can cause symptoms like those of a UTI.
What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms usually bacteria that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.
More than 90% of bladder infection cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.
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When To See A Gp
See a GP if you feel feverish and you have pain in your tummy, lower back or genitals that will not go away.
You should also see a GP if you have symptoms of a UTI that have not improved after a few days, or if you have blood in your pee.
Contact a GP immediately if you think your child may have a kidney infection.
Kidney infections require prompt treatment with antibiotics.
Page last reviewed: 06 January 2021 Next review due: 06 January 2024