Does Urinary Tract Infection Cause Itching

Causes And Risk Factors Of Utis

Common risk factors for urinary tract infection in women include:

• Sexual activity: You are at an increased risk for urinary tract infections from intercourse and even your birth control, according to Mann. A diaphragm, spermicide and some vaginal lubricants can change the bacterial makeup of the vagina, leading to increased risk of UTI for some women.
• Immune system suppression: Chronic or acute illnesses can weaken the bodys immune system and defense against bacteria, leaving you vulnerable to a UTI,says Mann.
• Voiding dysfunction: Conditions that make it hard to completely empty the bladder can raise the risk of a urinary tract infection. These include spinal cord injury or neuropathy, a condition that affects nerve function.
• Menopause: Mann explains that during menopause your bodys pH levels change, which alters the vaginas bacterial flora . This change in bacterial makeup increases your risk of UTI.

Things You Can Do Yourself

To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :

• takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
• rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
• avoid having sex

Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

Treatment For Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics, which kill the bacteria responsible for the infection. Some of the most common antibiotics prescribed by doctors to treat UTIs include Amoxicillin, Bactrim or Ciprofloxacin. If a patient has developed a resistance to one type of medication, the doctor will prescribe a different antibiotic. If you have a history of urinary tract infections, be sure to mention this to the doctor as it may precipitate a change in what drugs are prescribed.

In addition to antibiotics, the doctor may recommend that the patient take the over-the-counter drug phenazopyridine, commonly sold as AZO or Uristat. This drug will not cure the UTI, but it does help to treat its symptoms and relieve discomfort. The primary purpose of phenazopyridine is relief from the itching or burning sensation that often accompanies a UTI it may also help relieve the frequency and urgency of urination. Be aware that this drug can cause bodily fluids like urine and tears to turn bright orange, so dont be alarmed if this occurs.

If the UTI is severe and has spread to the kidneys, the patient may require hospitalization. Antibiotics will be delivered intravenously, and additional treatment may be required as well to ensure kidney health and prevent the infection from entering the bloodstream.

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Southern Cross Medical Library

The purpose of the Southern Cross Medical Library is to provide information of a general nature to help you better understand certain medical conditions. Always seek specific medical advice for treatment appropriate to you. This information is not intended to relate specifically to insurance or healthcare services provided by Southern Cross. For more articles go to the Medical Library index page.

How Dermatologists Help Patients With Kidney Disease

Kidney doctors, called nephrologists, often care for patients with kidney disease. When a kidney disease affects the skin, a nephrologist may team up with a dermatologist. Some skin conditions that develop due to kidney disease can be difficult to control. For example, if a patient has extremely itchy skin, it may be impossible to sleep through the night. A board-certified dermatologist can help a patient get some relief. This may involve using the right balance of moisturizers and medication that you apply to the skin. Some patients get relief with a treatment called UVB phototherapy.

The right skin care may also help. If the kidney disease is causing extremely dry skin, these tips from dermatologists may help:

1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic kidney disease in the United States, 2019. Page last reviewed Mar. 11, 2019. Last accessed Feb. 27, 2020.

ImagesImage 1: Image used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

Images 4, 5, 7, 8, 11: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

ReferencesAmin A, Burgess EF. Skin manifestations associated with kidney cancer. Semin Oncol. 2016 43:408-12.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic kidney disease in the United States, 2019. Page last reviewed Mar. 11, 2019. Last accessed Feb. 27, 2020.

Galperin TA, Cronin AJ, et al. Cutaneous Manifestations of ESRD. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2014 9:201-18.

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Urinary Tract Infections Are Caused By Bacteria That Can Be Present In The Vagina Urethra Or Urinary Bladder

Although not dangerous, having one can be extremely uncomfortable and can lead to serious complications.

Most common symptoms and signs of UTI in men include burning, itching, and irritation in the genital area. Urinary frequency and dysuria are the most common symptoms in males with UTI. The combined combination of low urinary volume, increased frequency, and increased urgency is usually about 70% accurate in predicting a UTI in men, while the sudden onset of hesitance, dribbling, urine, and slow flow is only around 33% accurate in predicting a UTI in men.

Although UTI in men is more common, women have been known to get urinary tract infections as well. Some of these symptoms of UTIs in women are the same ones in men, but some can be very different. These can include blood in the urine, pelvic pain, bleeding after sex, fever, abdominal pain, and chills.

If you think that you may have a UTI in men, see your doctor right away so that you can treat it the right way. Dont try to self-treat it or wait until the symptoms become severe. It can cause scarring that could make it difficult to pass in the future, or even cause the infection to spread.

Because many men do not know they have UTIs in men, they can go untreated for months or even years. This is dangerous because the longer a man goes untreated for a UTI in men, the less likely he is to have a successful treatment in the future. It also gives the bacteria time to build up and cause a more serious infection.

What Is A Bladder Infection

A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection, but not all UTIs are bladder infections. Bladder infections are the most common type of UTIs. A bladder infection may also be called cystitis and it is usually caused by bacteria.

Symptoms of a UTI can differ depending on what part of the urinary tract is infected. A bladder infection usually causes symptoms such as:

• Burning when urinating
• The feeling that you need to pee frequently, but when you go to the toilet very little urine comes out
• Pain in the pelvic area just above the pubic bone.

Bladder infections are usually considered simple UTIs and treatment is usually with antibiotics for three to five days. Symptoms usually resolve in a couple of days.

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What Causes A Woman’s Urethra To Itch

Itching, also known as pruritus, is the result of inflammation. Inflammation that results in urethral itching is commonly the result of rashes caused by infections, dermatologic skin conditions or environmental exposures that affect components of the urinary tract.

The female urinary tract is composed of the following parts:

• Kidneys These two organs filter toxins and waste products that will be expelled in the urine.
• Ureters These long tubes carry urine from the kidney to the bladder.
• Bladder This is the organ in which urine is stored.
• Urethra This is the opening where urine is expelled from the body.

See this image for a visual representation.

The female urinary tract is particularly susceptible to urethral itching due to its anatomy. The urethra sits very close to the anus and its opening is in very close contact to the vagina. Any pathogens that infect the anus or genital area can easily move through the components of the urinary tract including the urethra and bladder.

Though many of these rashes are caused by sexually transmitted infections, there are also many conditions that are not sexually transmitted. These conditions can be grouped into the following categories:

Gallstone And Urine Color

As we mentioned before, uncomplicated gallstones dont change the urine color.

However, gallstones may slip into the narrow canal connecting the gallbladder to the duodenum . Some may pass into the duodenum, while others may get stuck inside the CBD and cause its obstruction.

The obstruction of the common bile duct will prevent bile secretion from the liver to the gut tract .

The obstruction of bile secretion from the liver will increase bilirubin levels in the blood, which results in:

• Darker color of your urine
• Yellowish discoloration of the skin.
• Yellowish discoloration of your eye whites.
• Itching.
• Triggering of biliary pain .
• Infection of the biliary system .

Changes in urine color is the only urinary symptoms associated with complicated gallstones. Gallstones dont lead to other urinary symptoms such as burning urine or increased urine frequency.

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Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis

If you think you might have a UTI, dont worry. Diagnosing one requires a simple urinalysis. You urinate into a cup, and your clinician examines the urine for signs of infection. The standard course of treatment is three to five days of antibiotics.

In some cases, especially if your infections keep coming back, your practitioner may order a urine culture, a specific test for UTIs. A culture identifies the bacteria causing your infection so your clinician can choose the most effective antibiotic to treat it. The results of a urine culture are typically not available for two to four days.

Silent Symptoms Of Diabetes

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes, including 7.2 million that are undiagnosed. Additionally, 1.5 million Americans are newly diagnosed each year. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases. Diabetes has plenty of early signs, but some symptoms are subtle. Here are 10 subtle signs of diabetes:

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When Should You Seek Help At Physicianone Urgent Care

If you are experiencing sudden, debilitating pain in the pelvic area, you should go to the emergency room right away. For any other concerns related to possible UTIs or yeast infections, the professionals at PhysicianOne Urgent Care can help.

PhysicianOne Urgent Care is here 7 days per week for high-quality, convenient walk-in urgent care. Contact us at 1.855.349.2828, or stop in today for a convenient, walk-in visit. If youre looking to save time, find a location near you and check in online, today!

What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti

The symptoms of a UTI depend on which part of the urinary system is infected. If the lower tract is infected, then the symptoms often involve abdominal pain, along with frequent, painful urination. Urine from an infected lower tract is typically cloudy, and has a strong odor.

Upper urinary tract infection involves the kidney. It is considered to be more dangerous, as there is a chance for the bacteria to enter the blood. The symptoms of this type of infection include fever, nausea, and chills. However, what most distinguishes this type of infection is pain in the upper back in sides, indicating an infection in one or both kidneys.

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Home Remedies And Uti Prevention

Although most UTIs require antibiotics, there are a few home remedies that can be used to relieve the symptoms of the infection. Nevertheless, certain home remedies can prove helpful, especially if they are used in conjunction with antibiotics. Mild infections may also resolve themselves if the patient utilizes these tactics early on:

• Stay hydrated with plenty of water to flush out the urinary tract

• Drink pure, undiluted cranberry juice to increase the acidity of your urine and make the bladder more hostile to bacteria

• Eat blueberries and pineapple for their anti-inflammatory properties

• Take vitamin C to boost your immune system and increase urine acidity

• Urinate frequently and do not suppress the urge to urinate

The best home remedy for urinary tract infections is proper prevention. By maintaining good personal hygiene, especially before and after sex, you can greatly reduce your chance of contracting a UTI. Drinking enough liquid and urinating as often as necessary will also prevent most bacteria from entering the urethra. Additionally, all of the above treatments can be used safely at all times to help promote urinary tract health and reduce the likelihood of infection.

Why Does Kidney Disease Cause Weight Gain

Kidney disease doesnt just affect the kidneys, it affects the whole body. In the early stages, it can cause weight loss, while in the later stages it can cause weight gain. These variations are the result of different aspects of the disease. Heres some information to help you understand the issue of kidney disease and weight gain, courtesy of Dr. Allen Lauer, of Associates in Nephrology.

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Reasons To See An Obgyn For Vaginal Itch

The dreaded vaginal itch happens to all women at some point. It may affect the inside of the vagina or the vaginal opening. It may also affect the vulvar area, which includes the labia.

Vaginal itch may be a slight nuisance that goes away on its own, or it may turn into an exasperating problem that rivals a severe case of hives. Either way, it can be hard to know when vaginal itch warrants a visit to an OBGYN.

C Persistent Vomiting And Lack Of Oral Intake

In severe attacks of biliary colics or acute cholecystitis, people may fail to get enough fluid.

Severe dehydration is riskier for children and older people, especially with:

• Persistent vomiting.
• Absence of oral intake for several days due to pain or vomiting.

The dehydration may affect the kidney due to a lack of proper kidney blood supply, a condition called .

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What Causes Kidney Disease

According to the National Kidney Foundation, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease. These conditions cause about two-thirds of CKD cases. A person who has heart disease or a family history of kidney disease is also at an increased risk. Repeated urinary tract infections and the use of drugs that are toxic to the kidneys, such as over-the-counter pain medications, can also cause kidney damage.

The frightening thing about chronic kidney disease is that a person typically experiences no signs or symptoms in the early stages. The only way to know if someone is experiencing kidney problems is to see a doctor for testing.

Unfortunately, kidney disease does not go away. It may slowly get worse over time and most people dont realize they have kidney disease until it is already quite severe. Once these organs fail, the damage is permanent. The only options for treating end-stage renal disease are dialysis or a kidney transplant. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner steps can be taken to improve kidney health and prevent further damage.

Heres Whats Up With Utis

The foreboding term UTI is often used to talk about bladder infections, but its actually an umbrella term for an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, ureters , urethra, and bladder.

Clearing waste via your pee is a primary function of the urinary tract. This would ideally also flush out any lurking pathogens and help keep infections at bay. But sometimes potentially harmful bacteria are still able to reproduce in the urinary tract and cause infections. This often happens when the messiness of sex transports gastrointestinal bacteria like E. coli from the anus and its surrounding skin to your urethra, hence the well-worn advice to pee after sex. STIs like herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and mycoplasma can also infect and irritate the urethra, the Mayo Clinic explains .

All of this might make it sound like UTIs should be classified as sexually transmitted infections, but theyre not. You dont need to be sexually active to get a UTI, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains. Other risk factors include previous UTIs, hormone changes from pregnancy, and changes to your vaginal microbiome from menopause. You can also raise your risk of getting a UTI by not wiping front to back, since wiping back to front can give G.I. bacteria a free ride to your urethra.

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How Long Does Each Infection Last

The severity of the infection and the treatment method determine how long both a yeast infection and a UTI lasts. A UTI generally goes away 1-2 days after starting antibiotics. A complicated UTI, on the other hand, can take several days to weeks to fully treat. Similarly, a mild yeast infection can go away after a few days.

Risk Factors For Urinary Infections

In a healthy person, the urinary tract is kept healthy through a routine flush of sterile urine. This helps keep the urethra clear and prevents bacteria from entering the bladder. In order for a urinary tract infection to occur, pathogens must enter the urethra and stay inside the body long enough to multiply. Although anyone can get a urinary tract infection, there are several factors that may make them more likely to occur:

• Digestive upsets that cause chronic diarrhea

• Exposure to unsanitary water, such as in a pond or river

• Blockages in the urinary tract, such as kidney stones, that inhibit urination

• Frequent sexual activity, especially unprotected sex or sex involving the anus

• Forcing urine to stay in a full bladder, for example during a long car ride

• Suppressed or compromised immune systems, especially in the elderly

One of the most common causes of urinary tract infections is the prolonged retention of urine in the bladder. Because urine is sterile, it serves an important role in flushing out the urinary tract. Urination acts to clear the urinary tract and wash away bacteria that are attempting to make their way up the urethra. Preventing the passage of urine, such as by suppressing the urge to urinate when the patient has a full bladder, can prevent this flushing from taking place.

Because of their sexual habits, age or lifestyles, certain people may be more prone to urinary tract infections than others:

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