Living With Urinary Tract Infections
If you have 3 or more urinary tract infections each year, your doctor may want you to begin a preventive antibiotic program. A small dose of an antibiotic taken every day helps to reduce the number of infections. If sexual intercourse seems to cause infections for you, your doctor many suggest taking the antibiotic after intercourse.
What Are Symptoms Of A Uti
Both bladder and kidney infections are more common in women than men.
Signs and symptoms of a bladder infection include:
- Pain or a burning on urination
- Urinary frequency
- Use of spermicides for birth control
- Conditions such as kidney stones or ureteral reflux that block or change the flow of urine in the kidneys
- A genetic predisposition to UTIs
What Are Uti Symptoms
UTI symptoms include burning while peeing, needing to pee often, or having to rush to the bathroom. Other symptoms include pain or pressure in the lower pelvis, cloudy urine, or blood in the urine. Its important to note that children can get UTIs as well. Younger children may not be able to tell you about the UTI symptoms they are having, according to the CDC. A fever is the most common sign of UTI in infants and toddlers, but most children with a fever do not have a UTI so be sure to contact your childs doctor if you suspect he or she may have a UTI.
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How Are Utis Treated
Treatments for UTIs often depend on the severity of the infection. Doctors often divide UTIs into simple and complicated infections.
Bladder infections usually fall into the simple category. Doctors can usually treat them with antibiotics over the course of three to five days. Common antibiotics used to treat bladder infections include trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium.
If you have an infection, you should always take all of your antibiotics, even if you feel better. This keeps the infection from coming back.
Complicated UTIs are harder to treat. Kidney infections usually fall into this category. If you have a complicated UTI, you may require IV antibiotics and have to take antibiotics for a week or more.
How Can You Tell If Your Horse Has A Kidney Infection
Stones in the kidney or ureter, which prevent urine from flowing normally, are a common cause. Signs of pyelonephritis include pain in the sides, especially in the area around the kidneys fever weight loss and a general sense of not feeling well. Other signs include excessive thirst or excessive urination.
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How Is Pelvic Pain Treated
The treatment of pelvic pain depends on several factors, including cause, the intensity of pain and frequency of pain. Common pelvic pain treatments include:
- Medicine. Sometimes pelvic pain is treated with drugs, including antibiotics, if necessary.
- Surgery. If the pain results from a problem with one of the pelvic organs, the treatment might involve surgery or other procedures.
- Physical therapy. Your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy to ease pelvic pain in some cases.
Living with chronic pelvic pain can be stressful and upsetting. Studies have shown that working with a trained counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist can be beneficial in many cases. Your healthcare provider can offer more information about various treatments for pelvic pain.
How Are Utis Diagnosed
Only a health care provider can treat urinary tract infections. The first thing a doctor will do is confirm that a person has a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen. At the doctors office, youll be asked to clean your genital area with disposable wipes and then pee into a sterile cup.
The sample may be used for a urinalysis or a urine culture . Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment.
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Risk Factors For Recurrent Utis Include:
- Frequent sexual intercourse, which increases the likelihood of bacteria entering the urethra and bladder.
- Using spermicide with or without a diaphragm, as this can harm protective bacteria in the urinary tract that defend against infection.
- Vaginal atrophy, which is a postmenopausal condition caused by decreased estrogen levels.
- Genetics, especially the inherited genes that regulate the body’s immune response to infections.
It’s common for some people to have bacteria in their urine but not experience any symptoms. In these cases, no treatment is necessary.
Talk with your health care team if you think you have a UTI. You may need an appointment to discuss your symptoms and collect a urine sample.
You should seek medical attention if you develop a fever, chills, disorientation, or back or side pain. These could be signs of a kidney infection, which requires treatment, or a systemic infection of the bloodstream that requires hospitalization.
Sarah Suarez is a physician assistant in OB-GYN in La Crosse and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
Topics in this Post
When To Repeat Urine Tests After Antibiotic Therapy For Uti
When should follow-up urinalysis and cultures be considered after completing antibiotic therapy for UTI? Asymptomatic bacteriuria is caused by the presence of significant amounts of bacteria in the urine without symptoms. Following the treatment, a urine culture is used to ensure its effectiveness. If the results are abnormal, additional tests may be ordered. Depending on the individuals doctor, the length of time it takes to take a urine test after antibiotic therapy for UTI is determined. Medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements should all be discussed with your doctor. Medicines that are not required by a prescription as well as illegal drugs you can use are also covered by this policy.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hematuria
Many times, there are no symptoms except blood in your urine. When this happens, your providers may say that youre asymptomatic. If you’re having symptoms, this may include frequent or painful urination or urination that is urgent or needs to happen right away. There can also be associated nausea, vomiting, fevers, chills or pain in your back or lower abdomen.
Although blood in your urine doesnt always mean you have a disease, it can be an important warning sign to a possible health problem.
Dont ever ignore bloody urine. Contact a healthcare provider as soon as you find blood in your urine, as earlier detection for any problem is helpful.
A Pharmacist Can Help With Utis
You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for a UTI.
A pharmacist can:
- offer advice on things that can help you get better
- suggest the best painkiller to take
- tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms
Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if they’re needed.
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How Can I Prevent Utis
If you have repeated UTIs, try these self-help measures to prevent recurring infections:
- Drink more fluids to help flush out bacteria.
- Urinate as soon as you feel the need.
- Urinate immediately after intercourse.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants.
- Find an alternative method of birth control if you use spermicides.
- Dont use perfumed soaps, talcum powder or deodorant around the genital area.
- Avoid constipation.
- Use lubricant gel with intercourse if the vaginal area is dry.
There is conflicting evidence for drinking cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. If you want to try cranberry products, ask your doctor for advice.
If infections are an ongoing problem, you may need to be referred to an urologist for further treatment.
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Eating Diet & Nutrition
Experts dont think eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in preventing or treating bladder infections. If you have any type of UTI, talk with a health care professional about how much to drink each day to help prevent or relieve your infection.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and other components of the National Institutes of Health conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.
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How Can I Treat Pelvic Pain At Home
If you suffer from chronic pelvic pain, there are a few things you can do to ease symptoms at home. For example:
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help reduce swelling that leads to pelvic pain. Acetaminophen can also ease painful symptoms.
- Make time for exercise. Even though you may not feel like moving, exercise helps increase blood flow and may help reduce your discomfort.
- Apply heat. Place a heating pad or warm compress over the area, or take a long soak in a hot bath.
- Stop smoking. Tobacco products can inflame nerves and cause pain. Avoiding these habits can help relieve pain.
- Take supplements. If your pelvic pain symptoms are due to vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements could help soothe your discomfort. Talk to your healthcare provider before incorporating supplements into your daily routine.
- Practice relaxation exercises. Yoga, mindfulness or meditation can help reduce stress and tension. As a result, chronic pain may be eased.
Urinary Tract Infections During Pregnancy: Symptoms Treatment And Common Questions
In addition, as the uterus grows throughout pregnancy, it can put pressure on the bladder, making it more difficult to empty completely.
Pregnancy can also make a UTI more difficult to treat, which can have serious consequences, including pyelonephritis preterm labor low birth weight and .
A urinalysis and a urine culture are routinely performed at an initial prenatal visit to screen for UTIs, but if youre pregnant and suspect you may have an infection, seek medical attention quickly.
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Key Points About Utis
See other pages for UTIs in pregnancy, UTIs in men and UTIs in children.
Care For Pregnant Women
The hormonal and anatomical changes of pregnancy mean that being pregnant increases the risk for both urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Not only this but pregnant people and their unborn babies may experience more health complications with even simple infections. UTIs and yeast infections during pregnancy can lead to a higher risk of preeclampsia, premature labor, and low birth weight.
Pregnant women who think they have a UTI or a yeast infection should see their healthcare provider without delay, as these infections should be treated right away to prevent serious complications to both the mother and the child. Your healthcare provider can also help you pick the safest treatments, since some antibiotics and antifungals are not suitable for pregnant women.
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What Is Blood In Urine
Hematuria is the medical name for the presence of blood cells in urine . Healthcare providers label blood in urine as gross, microscopic or dipstick.
- Gross hematuria occurs when there’s enough blood present in your urine that it’s visible to the naked eye. It can turn toilet water a pale pink or bright red color.
- Microscopic hematuria happens when your urine has blood in it, but the amount is too small for humans to see. In fact, you need a microscope to see it.
- Dipstick hematuria results when oxidation of a urine test strip causes a color change. It doesnt always mean that blood cells are present in your urine. Dipstick tests have relatively high false-positive rates.
Can Pelvic Pain Be Prevented
Pelvic pain cant always be prevented. However, incorporating these recommendations into your daily life can help reduce your risk:
- Dont overuse. Limit activities that require you to stand or walk for long periods of time.
- Eat more fiber. This is particularly helpful if your pelvic pain is due to diverticulitis.
- Exercise regularly. Staying physically active helps keep your joints and muscles in good condition.
- Stretch your muscles. Warm up before exercising to help reduce the risk of pelvic pain.
- Visit your healthcare provider regularly. Routine examinations can help your medical team detect issues early on before they worsen.
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How Are Utis Treated And Prevented
A UTI is often a once-off illness that resolves quickly and responds to treatment with antibiotics if needed. However, for some people, UTIs are a recurring problem.
If you have repeated UTIs there are some self-help measures that may help prevent further infections:
- drink more fluids to help flush out bacteria
- urinate immediately after intercourse
- gently wipe from front to back after urinating
- wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants
- eat natural yoghurt to restore normal vaginal environment
- find an alternative method of birth control if you use spermicides
There is conflicting evidence for drinking cranberry juice to prevent UTIs. If you want to try cranberry products, ask your doctor for advice.
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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Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
If you are a healthy adult man or a woman who is not pregnant, a few days of antibiotic pills will usually cure your urinary tract infection. If you are pregnant, your doctor will prescribe a medicine that is safe for you and the baby. Usually, symptoms of the infection go away 1 to 2 days after you start taking the medicine. Its important that you follow your doctors instructions for taking the medicine, even if you start to feel better. Skipping pills could make the treatment less effective.
Your doctor may also suggest a medicine to numb your urinary tract and make you feel better while the antibiotic starts to work. The medicine makes your urine turn bright orange, so dont be alarmed by the color when you urinate.
For Those Who Experience Frequent Utis Managing Risk Factors May Help With Prevention
In some people, urinary tract infections come back again and again. Women, especially, are likely to have recurrent UTIs. While recurrences usually develop within three months of the original infection, having more than two within six months is technically considered a recurrence.
Besides precautions and at-home strategies to help prevent UTIs, sometimes antibiotics are used as a preventive measure for those with frequent UTI recurrences.
Managing risk factors by maintaining good hygiene, such as wiping from front to back for women and avoiding spermicides can lower your likelihood of repeat UTIs.
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Which Infections Are Worse
NIDDK . A kidney infection is usually caused by a bladder or urethra infection where the bacteria multiply and travel upward toward the kidneys.
Kidney infections can be extremely serious and painful, sometimes leading to hospitalization to receive intravenous antibiotics. If left untreated, kidney infections due to UTIs can cause infections in the bloodstream. This can be life-threatening.
Treatment For More Severe Utis
Kids with a more severe infection may need treatment in a hospital so they can get antibiotics by injection or IV .
This might happen if:
- the child has high fever or looks very ill, or a kidney infection is likely
- the child is younger than 6 months old
- bacteria from the infected urinary tract may have spread to the blood
- the child is dehydrated or is vomiting and cannot take any fluids or medicine by mouth
Kids with VUR will be watched closely by the doctor. VUR might be treated with medicines or, less commonly, surgery. Most kids outgrow mild forms of VUR, but some can develop kidney damage or kidney failure later in life.
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