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UTI Treatment and Care

UTI: Painful but Manageable with Early Detection!

Neglecting bacterial infections can lead to unexpected complications. It’s essential to consult a medical professional promptly to detect and treat any potential infections early on.

Under normal circumstances, urine flows through the urinary system without bacterial contamination. However, external microbes can enter the urinary system, causing infections and inflammation that worsen over time.

Early medical attention is crucial for UTI management and prevention of complications.

What is UTI?

UTI is an infection of the Urinary System, Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, and Urethra. Symptoms typically include needing to urinate often, urgency for urination, burning or having pain when urinating, and feeling pain in your side or lower back.

Facing Painful and Increased trips to the Loo? Yes?

Have you been consuming additional total fluids than usual? What about Alcohol, Coffee, or Detox drinks? No?

DO NOT IGNORE! It might be a sign of an Urinary Tract Infection, commonly called UTI!
Affecting 150 million people each year worldwide, UTIs are some of the most common bacterial infections.

It’s predominant in women, babies, and older people but also occurs in men.

We here at Southwest Urgent Care are available 7 days a week to hear your concerns regarding your health conditions.

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What Happens If a UTI is Left Untreated?

A Dangerous Decision! Don’t Panic but Be Concerned!

Untreated infections can be very troubling for one’s overall health and lifestyle. Discomfort and pain caused by UTI may affect your daily life activities resulting in Mental Stress and Anxiety.

Just like any other infection, UTIs, if left undiagnosed or untreated, can lead to serious medical conditions. One common condition is infection spreading from the bladder to one or both kidneys causing severe damage and permanently reduced kidney function.

Our dedicated team of professionals here at Southwest Urgent Care will help you diagnose and treat your UTI at its initial stage. Please call our friendly staff or visit us at our clinic to get the diagnostic process started.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI): Causes

Anything that brings bacteria in contact with your urethra can cause a UTI.

It’s very easy to get a urinary tract infection. Escherichia coli (E.coli) is the most common bacteria causing infection in our urinary tract. This bacteria easily travels to the urethra as it is present in our digestive systems. UTIs can also be caused by chlamydia, gonorrhea, or other organisms.

Some bacteria that live in the vagina, genital, and anal areas enter the urethra and travel to the bladder, causing infection. Sexual intercourse can increase the chance of UTIs, but that is not always the cause. Some other causes of UTI symptoms include:

Kidney stones or other obstructions in your urinary tract
Blockages, prostate problems for men
Urinary tract abnormalities
Low immunity
Catheter use
Recent urinary surgery or procedure
Diabetes
Obesity

Usually, people aren’t able to identify the exact cause of their UTI. It’s because so many things can lead to it.

Keeping an eye on symptoms might be sensible and helpful.

UTI and Women

About 60% of women will have at least one Urinary tract infection during their lifetime! Being aware of the symptoms and causes of UTIs is a must.

Urinary tract infections are common in women because the female urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body)is shorter (than a male’s) and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common, making it easier for bacteria to enter the bladder. These are the two most common types of UTIs.

Cystitis: Infection of the bladder
Urethritis: Infection of the urethra

Known for multitasking abilities, taking care of home, family, work, and multiple things in between, women tend to ignore some red flags health wise which lead to severe, at times incurable health conditions. Do not Neglect Your Health!

If you feel any discomfort urinating, pay attention to your symptoms and see a doctor. Pain in the vagina or the female external genital organs (the vulva, which includes the labia, clitoris, and entrance to the vagina) most commonly is a result of infection.

Medical attention is highly recommended if you develop fever, chills, disorientation, back or side pain.

Some Factors for UTI in Women

UTI causes some serious physical discomfort in women, including pain in the pelvic area. Several risk factors are associated with infections in the female gender related to cystitis:

A prior UTI
Vaginal infection
Pregnancy
Diabetes and Obesity
Genetic susceptibility

All women are at risk of cystitis because of their anatomy; a shorter urethra decreases the distance that bacteria have to travel to reach the bladder, increasing the chances of getting an infection. Please understand some more important factors:

Sexual activity: Sexually active women tend to have more UTIs. Frequent sexual intercourse and having a new sexual partner also increase your risk. Bacteria might get pushed into your urethra during sexual activity from your partner’s genitals, anus, fingers, or sex toys.
Certain types of birth control: The use of spermicides or a diaphragm for birth control could also lead to UTIs.

Menopause: Decline in circulating estrogen; postmenopausal women with low estrogen levels change vaginal and urethral tissue, making them more vulnerable to infection.

Note: An exam of your urinary tract that involves medical instruments can also increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection. Our professionals here at Southwest Urgent Care make sure that you stay safe during your diagnostics and medical procedures.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

UTIs cause 8 to 10 million visits to healthcare providers each year. Know your symptoms and get treated!

One of the most common symptoms of a UTI is a frequent and urgent need to pee. You might feel an urgency to urinate even when you have just emptied your bladder.

Men and women usually have the same UTI symptoms, but some symptoms listed below might be gender specific. Some common symptoms include:

Dysuria-Pain while urinating
Burning while peeing
Pain in the side (flank) or Abdomen
Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
Passing small amounts of urine
Foul/ Bad-smelling or Cloudy urine
Blood or Pus in the urine
Red or Pink-colored urine
The need to urinate at night(more than once)
Frequency, Urgency, and Incontinence (urine leakage)
Soreness, pressure, or cramps in the lower belly, back, or sides
Pain during sex
Penis pain

Risk of Kidney Infections linked to Untreated UTI

NOTE: Remember, If a urinary tract infection (UTI) is ignored and persists, it can escalate to kidney problems, known as acute pyelonephritis. In addition to the previously mentioned symptoms, you may experience:

Pain in the mid-back (to the right or left of the spine)

Fever (temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit)

Chills, Nausea or vomiting

Fatigue or feeling tired

Mental changes or confusion

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is crucial to inform your doctor promptly. Kidney infections are serious and require immediate medical treatment.

Note for Men: Prostate symptoms in men may get confused by a Urinary tract Infection. Please communicate with your provider clearly to have a proper diagnosis, as negligence may lead to Prostate Cancer. Some symptoms of Prostate might be Hesitancy-difficulty in starting to pee, blood in semen, weak flow, Penis pain, straining, or taking too long while urinating. Nonetheless, UTIs can occur in men as well, so never rule out any detail.

Access your primary symptoms; they come on slowly and can be subtle but progress faster over time. With keeping an eye on prostate cancer symptoms and the guidance from your doctor, you can get an accurate diagnosis and treatment in time.

Diagnosis Options For Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

The proper diagnosis led to proper treatment!

UTIs can be diagnosed by analyzing a urine sample, but your provider may decide the process of diagnosing a UTI depending on your medical history. For some, a Virtual Visit assessment may suffice, but an in-center physical exam may be advised too.

Lab Tests, imaging, and other procedures may be involved to diagnose urinary tract infections. Some options are:

Urinalysis(To examine for red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria)
Urine Culture (to determine the type of bacteria in your urine)
Cystoscopy
Growing urinary tract bacteria in a lab
Ultrasound
CT-scan

Our team of experts can help you with your concerns regarding Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

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Care for Older Adults with UTI and Pediatric Expertise

Older adults are also at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder and other infections caused by microorganisms. Our medical providers, by practicing Effective communication, Active Listening, and Sensory Challenges recognition, facilitate positive patient outcomes.

UTIs are common in children; even Infants may develop them. At Southwest Clinic, diagnostic testing or treatment for UTI needed for children is provided in a friendly, comforting environment where a Parent can stay with their children during diagnostic tests.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): Treatment

The most important reason to treat a UTI quickly is to be able to prevent the infection from spreading further. There are higher chances that infection might spread not only in the bladder but also into your kidneys, turning it into a very complicated form of infection.

Most UTIs are treated with antibiotics. The type of antibiotic your healthcare provider suggests depends on the bacteria causing your infection and your medical history.

Patients may be prescribed antibiotics to be taken orally, every day, every other day, or after sexual intercourse to prevent the infection, or sometimes intravenously. In Some severe cases of UTI, medication is prescribed to numb the indications. Also, in complicated cases where the UTI is resistant to antibiotics, treatment in a health care center is advised.

How long Can a UTI last?

The answer may vary according to the severity of the infection one has.

Once the antibiotics course is started, infection of the lower urinary tract typically resolves within 24 to 48 hours. But, with a kidney infection, it might take 3 to 7 days for a patient to start feeling better.

Significantly, you follow your healthcare provider’s directions for taking medicine and make sure the prescription is completed for optimal results.

Southwest Urgent Care has medical providers to assist and treat you according to the best practices. Visit now for a Comprehensive and Coordinated guide for your UTI symptoms!

Prevention for UTI

Prevention is better than cure!

So, Can one prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI)? The answer is YES!

Most infections can be prevented with lifestyle changes, and UTIs are no different. The following tips may help with UTI symptoms:

Staying well hydrated by Drinking plenty of fluids and having daily recommended water intake.
Emptying your bladder often.
Urinate every time after sexual activity.
Practicing good hygiene, wiping from front to back after using the restroom.
Urinate at least every four hours.
Preventive antibiotic or probiotic for recurrent UTIs.
Use a water-based lubricant during sex.
Applying estrogen-containing vaginal cream(for postmenopausal women).

Even though medical assistance is advised some minor symptoms could be managed with a few simple lifestyle changes in the early stages.

Other Conditions Southwest Urgent Care Treats

Most infections cause swelling, itching, and pain, especially during sex or urination. You might feel pelvic pain in the area that includes your bladder, uterus, lower back, and rectum. Just as some other infection conditions can cause vaginal pain. The symptoms are often confused with a UTI as they may also cause painful or frequent urination. Some overlapped infections could be:

Kidney stones
Vaginal yeast infections
Pelvic floor dysfunction
Bacterial Vaginosis
STDs-Sexually transmitted diseases
Vaginal discomfort
Other genital or urinary-related problems

Only a medical professional can tell for sure if you have a UTI or some other infection. Always be clear and concise when describing your symptoms. Your description helps your provider to identify the problem.

At Southwest Urgent Care, we can help you diagnose and treat UTIs as well as Other medical conditions. Check all our Services here.