Does Urinary Infection Cause Back Pain

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

Typically, a kidney infection develops after a UTI has already affected your urethra the tube through which urine exits your body and your bladder. This area is known as your lower urinary tract.

If you recognize the earlier signs of a UTI, you can seek treatment and usually avoid a kidney infection. But its possible that your symptoms wont be severe enough to get your attention until the infection has spread to your kidneys.

Whether or not youre also experiencing kidney-specific symptoms, its important to look out for signs of a UTI affecting your lower urinary tract:

Painful Urination Known as dysuria, pain during urination is usually caused by inflammation in the lining of your urethra.

In addition to UTIs, dysuria can be caused by a number of other conditions, including vaginal yeast infections, kidney stones, and sexually transmitted infections .

Frequent Urination A UTI can cause frequent and intense urges to urinate, even when youve recently emptied your bladder.

Thats because an inflamed bladder from your infection may be more sensitive to pressure from your urine, giving you the sensation that your bladder is full even when its not.

Kidney Infection Back Pain

Where does your back hurt if you have a kidney infection? If the pain is associated with the kidneys, it can cause pain on both sides of the lower back and will be concentrated in the area between the ribs and hips, also known as flanks, making kidney infection pain often referred to as flank pain.

Severe kidney pain like that from a kidney stone can result in sharp pains. Additional areas that may be in pain due to a kidney infection are the upper abdomen or the genital areas.

Kidney infection back pain will generally be constant and can be dull or severe depending on the source of the infection. An increase in pain may be triggered by excessive intake of fluids or when pressure is applied on the kidneys. Besides areas surrounding the kidneys, there shouldnât be any tenderness to the touch.

When should I be worried about lower back pain due to a kidney infection? First, it is important to consider other signs and symptoms of kidney infections such as nausea, vomiting, and fever, as doing so can help you distinguish between general back pain and that due to a kidney infection.

Indications of the major signs and symptoms of a kidney infection on top of a significant change to your usual urination pattern are good indicators that its time to contact your doctor. People who have a greater risk of developing a kidney infection, including pregnant women, should be extra vigilant about noticing signs of a kidney infection early on to prevent complications.

Understanding Uti Related Back Pain On One Side

Lots of STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis frequently produce symptoms much like those of bladder infection, including lower back pain on one side. Similarly, yeast infections can also cause intense pain in lower or right side of the back specifically when the fungal infection goes into the blood stream. For this reason a laboratory test should be performed to dismiss these possibilities.

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How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.

Symptoms Of An Infection

In many cases, back pain is related to an injury or a degenerative condition, such as arthritis. But in some cases, the pain in your back has nothing to do with getting hurt. Although spinal infections arent common, they can be difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone.

The reason spinal infections are sometimes missed is because they dont always present with body-wide symptoms, like a fever. In the early stages, the only sign of an infection you might have is back tenderness that doesnt seem to get better.

As the infection progresses, more symptoms become apparent, which should clue you in that theres a problem. Often, back pain is one of those symptoms, along with others like:

• Chills
• Worsening pain

Another clue that your pain isnt normal back pain is that the discomfort doesnt seem to get any better, even with rest and medications. In fact, the pain usually gets worse, especially with certain movements.

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Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Blood in urine and new onset since starting antibiotic
• Taking antibiotic more than 24 hours, and pain with passing urine is severe.
• Taking antibiotic more than 48 hours and fever still there or comes back
• Taking antibiotic more than 3 days and pain not better
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Watch For Early Signs Of Infection

You may notice warning signs before you start to experience symptoms of UTI.

• Gritty sediment in the urine.
• Mucus in the urine. This is often a sign of high levels of bacteria in the
• Dark, cloudy or bad smelling urine.

If you notice any of these, you might be able to fend off UTI.

• Cut back on drinking liquids with alcohol, caffeine, and sugar.
• Drink more water to help wash out more of the bacteria.
• If you do intermittent catheterization, do it more often. If you use an indwelling catheter, change it.

Consider changing it again after the early signs of infection have gone away.

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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:

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Seek Medical Attention For Utis

It is important to seek medical attention if you think you may have a UTI particularly if you think you may have a bladder or kidney infection, both of which are very serious conditions. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.

Your doctor will test your urine to check which micro-organism is present. Urinary tract infections usually respond quickly and well to antibiotics.

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Bone Broth For Cats Uti

Where lowering of pH and strengthening of the linings of the urinary bladder is helpful, cats also need to stay hydrated to push back UTI. If the cat seems not to be interested in water, you can give her fluids like bone broth, which will not only help her stay hydrated but would also provide necessary nutrients and minerals. Amino acids present in bone broth helps in the reduction of inflammation.

Bladder Infections In Women

40 percent of women in the United States develop a urinary tract infection at some point in their life.

This is because women have shorter urethras, making the path to the bladder easier for bacteria to reach. Womens urethras are also located closer to the rectum than mens urethras. This means there is a shorter distance for bacteria to travel.

During pregnancy, changes in the urinary tract increase the risk of an infection. Changes in the immune system also increase risk during pregnancy.

Some forms of birth control, like diaphragms and spermicides, may increase your risk of urinary tract infections.

Women are also more prone to recurring infections. About of women will experience a second infection within 6 months of their first infection.

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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.

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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Type And Severity Of Pain

Muscle pain feels like a dull ache or soreness. Certain body movements can trigger or worsen muscle pain, the intensity of which can range from mild to severe and may fluctuate in response to stretching.

People with nerve pain may experience a burning or stabbing sensation that travels to other areas of the body.

Sciatica is a form of nerve pain that affects the back. People develop sciatica when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or compressed, which causes a burning pain in the lower back that radiates through the buttocks.

Bone pain can result from vertebral fractures or an irregularly shaped spine. This type of pain comes on suddenly. Bone pain ranges from moderate to severe and usually worsens in response to movement.

Is It Possible To Have A Uti Without Any Symptoms

Yes. Symptoms of a UTI can vary, and it’s not entirely uncommon for someone to experience no symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Its estimated that 1 to 5 percent of younger women experience asymptomatic bacteriuria , which is a UTI without the classic symptoms. While its unclear why the bacteria involved with urinary tract infections sometimes don’t cause symptoms for these people, we do know that instances of symptom-free UTIs increase with age. Up to 16 percent of women older than 65 have been found to have ASB, and that number grows to almost 20 percent for women over 80. Other factors that increase your chances of an asymptomatic UTI are:

• Urinary catheter use

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Upper Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

In addition to the symptoms above, the presence of the following symptoms may indicate that the affected person is suffering from an upper urinary tract infection:

• Fever
• Pain and/or aches between the upper abdomen and the back, known as flank pain
• Signs of confusion, disorientation and/or agitation may occur, especially in elderly patients

Good to know: Upper urinary tract infection symptoms are similar in both men and women.

If you are experiencing possible symptoms of a urinary tract infection, carry out a symptom assessment with the free Ada app.

When To Seek Medical Attention

If you experience any symptoms of a kidney infection or a UTI more generally, its important to see a health professional to have them evaluated right away.

This is true especially if certain symptoms seem to appear suddenly, indicating that your UTI is spreading or growing more severe.

A kidney infection that isnt treated effectively can become chronic , potentially causing permanent damage to your kidneys that impairs their function.

An untreated kidney infection can also lead to dangerous complications in the short term, such as a blood infection . Symptoms of sepsis include:

• Fever and chills

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Gallbladder Problems And Back Pain

Is there an established link between gallbladder problems and back pain? Scroll down to find out if an inflamed gallbladder could cause back pain.

Is there an established link between gallbladder problems and back pain? Scroll down to find out if an inflamed gallbladder could cause back pain.

The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped sac that is located below the liver. It stores and regulates the flow of bile. Bile is a digestive juice produced by the liver. Cholecystokinin is a peptide hormone that facilitates the contraction of the gallbladder. CCK is secreted whenever we ingest food items that are rich in fats or lipids. Once CCK is secreted, the gallbladder contracts. This is followed by release of bile into the cystic duct. The cystic duct and the hepatic duct together make up the common bile duct. Bile is released from the common bile duct into the small intestine. The secretion of bile is extremely essential for emulsifying fats. Emulsification of fats plays an important role in the digestion and absorption of fats. If the gallbladder becomes inflamed or is unable to release bile at the right time, one may suffer from a wide range of distressing symptoms. Though abdominal pain and discomfort are the characteristic signs of a gallbladder disease, pain may sometimes be felt around the back as well.

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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.

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About Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are common infections that can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes connected to them.

Anyone can get them, but they’re particularly common in women. Some women experience them regularly .

UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable, but usually pass within a few days and can be easily treated with antibiotics.

This page is about UTIs in adults. There is a separate article about UTIs in children.

This page covers:

How Typical Is Lower Back Pain

Around 4 out of five people have lower back pain at some time in their lives. It is among the most typical reasons people check out healthcare providers.

Some people are more probable to have lower back pain than others. Danger factors for lower back pain include:

Age: Individuals over 30 have much more back pain. Disks deteriorate with age. As the disks weaken and also wear down, pain as well as stiffness can result.

Weight: People who are obese or bring added weight are more likely to have back pain. Excess weight puts pressure on joints and also disks. Overall wellness: Compromised stomach muscles cant support the spine, which can lead to back strains and sprains.

People who smoke, drink alcohol excessively or live a sedentary way of life have a higher risk of back pain.

Line of work as well as way of life: Jobs as well as tasks that need hefty training or bending can boost the threat of a back injury.

Structural issues: Extreme back pain can result from conditions, such as scoliosis, that transform back positioning.

Condition: People that have a family history of osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer and also other condition have a greater risk of low back pain. Psychological health and wellness: Back pain can arise from anxiety and anxiousness.

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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.

An infection can occur when bacteria from your stool get on your skin and enter your urethra. In women, the urethra is short and the outside opening is not far from the anus, so bacteria can easily move from one body system to another.

• 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:

• fever
• nausea
• vomiting

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.