What If The Cause Is Unknown
Before a doctor can treat the pain, they must determine the cause. To do this, the doctor may take a complete medical history, press on the abdomen or back to identify pain levels and position, perform blood work, or do imaging scans of the back or stomach.
There are some home remedies that a person can try to ease back pain and bloating. However, if symptoms are due to a serious condition, such as liver failure, it is essential to talk to a doctor before trying any home remedies. Some treatments may be unsafe for people in organ failure or with other conditions.
If the problem is a minor one, such as gas or a stomach virus, it is usually safe to manage symptoms at home.
Strategies that might help include:
- taking anti-gas medication
When Should I Call My Doctor About A Bladder Infection
If you experience the symptoms of a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, call your healthcare provider to discuss a treatment plan.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Bladder infections are common urinary tract infections. You might feel pain and burning when you pee, as well as the urge to pee more frequently than you normally do. If you have these inflammatory symptoms, call your healthcare provider. You should start to feel better after a few days of antibiotic treatment, but its important to finish the entire prescription so the infection doesnt return.
What Causes A Bladder Infection
Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder cause bladder infections. Normally, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination.
Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly. This overwhelms the bodys ability to destroy them, resulting in a bladder infection.
According to the
- a frequent sensation of having to urinate, which is called urgency
- cramping or pressure in the lower abdomen or lower back
When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with 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, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Youll typically feel quite ill. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and require urgent medical attention.
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When To See A Healthcare Provider
As noted earlier, the symptom of abdominal bloating is most commonly caused by conditions that are more of a nuisance than life-threatening. That said, it is often the first symptom of ovarian cancer which is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women and often diagnosed when it is “too late,” at least to be curable.
Whether your symptoms are due to a “serious” cause or not, it is important to see your healthcare provider. So-called “nuisance symptoms” can interfere with your quality of life, and by that measure, are not just a nuisance.
If your symptoms do not improve with whatever treatment is recommended, talk to your healthcare provider or seek out a second opinion. In our overworked, over-busy society, it’s important to be your own advocate in your medical care, no matter what your symptoms or the condition that is responsible.
Common Causes Of Abdominal Pain
Having abdominal pain can be a mild inconvenience or have a significant impact on your well-being. There are several reasons why you may have abdominal pain, ranging from minor muscle strains to appendicitis that requires surgery.
Our skilled providers at Smart Clinic Urgent Care often deal with patients suffering from abdominal pain. Here are the six most common causes.
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How You Can Treat Cystitis Yourself
If you have been having mild symptoms for less than 3 days or you have had cystitis before and do not feel you need to see a GP, you may want to treat your symptoms at home or ask a pharmacist for advice.
Until you’re feeling better, it may help to:
- wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
- gently wash around your genitals with a skin-sensitive soap
Some people believe that cranberry drinks and products that reduce the acidity of their urine will help.
But there’s a lack of evidence to suggest they’re effective.
What Are Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are painful accumulations of minerals that form in your kidneys and can cause serious pain. Often smaller stones can pass freely through your urinary tract without symptoms, but larger stones can become stuck in the urinary tract causing severe abdominal or lower back pain and other symptoms.
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Can A Uti Cause Abdominal Bloat
A urinary tract infection symptoms include murky urine and pain when urinating. The bacteria Escherichia coli that cause UTI, on the other hand, can affect your abdomen, particularly your lower abdomen.
As a result, there may be pressure and pain and abdominal bloating. Bloating, in this case, might be mistaken for a dysfunctional digestive system.
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Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are almost always caused by a bacterial infection. The infection most commonly occurs when bacteria from the anal or genital region enter the urinary tract and ascend through the urethra to the bladder and/or kidneys. It is believed that over 85 percent of UTIs are caused by bacteria from the bowel or vagina.
80 percent of UTIs are reportedly caused by the E. coli bacteria which is present in human and animal intestines. Most E. coli strains are a natural part of healthy, human digestion. However, some can cause illness when carried outside of the intestinal tract.
Usually, any bacteria that enter the urinary tract are flushed out by urine. In some cases, small amounts of bacteria remain in the system, and this can lead to a urinary tract infection. It is also possible to develop a UTI when a bacterial infection from elsewhere in the body spreads through the bloodstream, reaching the kidneys. However, this is much less common.
In rare cases, urinary tract infections can also be caused by viruses, fungi and parasites.
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Why Does Constipation Cause Uti
Constipation and UTI are related to each other. There are three top reasons that can bring forth the reasons why constipation increases the risk of Urinary Tract Infection . Let us have a look at the three primary reasons.
Obstructed Bladder
If you are aware of the human physiology, you will notice that the colon and the rectum are adjacent to the bladder. When you start storing the waste products, your rectum along with the stool will put pressure on the bladder. This can be the reason that prevents from the emptying of your bladder entirely while you urinate.
When the urine accumulates in the bladder for a longer period of time, there is a greater probability that bacteria will start to pile up in the urine. Hence, you will suffer from UTI.
The Backward Flow of the Urine
When there is a pressure on the bladder from the colon, it can also cause the urine to flow in the backward direction from the urethra to the bladder section. Hence, the bacteria also flows back from the urethra to the bladder. This also leads to constipation and burning urine at the same time, and it can be quite painful and discomforting for the person suffering.
The E. coli Bacteria
Gi Issues Caused By Kidney Stones
Normally, kidney stones cause symptoms such as pressure and pain in your lower back, fever, frequent urination, discomfort urinating, and bloody or discoloured urine. However, sometimes kidney stones can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach discomfort.
If youre experiencing sudden low back pain and gastrointestinal discomfort, dont ignore the possibility that it might be kidney stones.
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Is Bladder Pressure The Same Thing As A Spasm
Do you have pressure in your bladder that just wont go away? This type of chronic bladder pain is different from the spasms you may get with a condition such as overactive bladder or a urinary tract infection .
Bladder pressure feels more like constant ache rather than a muscle contraction. Doctors typically attribute bladder pressure to interstitial cystitis . IC is also known as bladder pain syndrome.
Heres more about this syndrome, its causes, and how to get relief from the pressure.
How To Treat Uti Bloating And Weight Gain
UTI sufferers may experience an increase in the size of their abdomen and bloating. This can be accompanied by a sense of fullness after eating even small amounts, and weight gain. While these symptoms are caused largely by your bodys reaction to bacteria or other infectious agents, they can also be exacerbated by diet.
The best way to treat UTI bloating and weight gain is to follow a diet that improves your digestive health, speeds up the removal of bacteria from your body, and boosts your immune system.
- A balanced diet
- Plenty of fluids
- Regular exercise
All these can help you fight back against UTI bloating and weight gain by speeding up the removal of toxins from your body.
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Shortness Of Breath After Very Little Effort
Why this happens:
Being short of breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.
What patients said:
At the times when I get the shortness of breath, its alarming to me. It just fears me. I think maybe I might fall or something so I usually go sit down for awhile.
I couldnt sleep at night. I couldnt catch my breath, like I was drowning or something. And, the bloating, cant breathe, cant walk anywhere. It was bad.
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Lower Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
Common symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection include:
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Burning or painful sensation while urinating
- Strong-smelling urine
- Urine that is bloody and/or cloudy in color
- Lower abdominal pain
Good to know: Lower urinary tract infections present similar symptoms in both men and women. However, men may also experience rectal pain, while women may experience pelvic pain.
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Medical Treatment Of Urinary Tract Infections
Because urinary tract infections are most often bacterial, they can be treated with antibiotics. As a guideline, antibiotic treatment for UTIs is usually split into two categories:
- Uncomplicated UTI, which is an infection that occurs in an otherwise healthy person with normal kidney function
- Complicated UTI, which usually occurs in people who have a medical or anatomical predisposition to urinary tract infections or treatment failure
The type of antibiotic used and the length of treatment differs, depending on the severity of the infection and medical history of the person with the condition. Symptoms from uncomplicated UTIs usually clear within three days of antibiotic treatment, whereas people with a complicated UTI may require antibiotics for up to two weeks.
Whatever the cause, it is important to complete the entire course of antibiotics prescribed in full, even if symptoms appear to have cleared. This can help to prevent antibiotic resistance developing.
In the rare cases where a urinary tract infection is caused by a virus or fungi, this can be treated with antiviral or antifungal medication respectively.
Kidney Infection And Stomach Pain
If you have kidney infection, typically the infection will cause burning sensation or pain when you pee. Sometime pain may also be felt in other areas of the body.
For instances, stomach pain can also be one of the symptoms of the infection. Typically, it is felt in the lower abdomen. You may also have pain in your back, your side , or around genitals .
Your abdominal pain is likely to be associated with kidney infection if you also experience other symptoms of the disease. These include:
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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.
When To See Your Healthcare Provider
If youre experiencing bladder pain or pelvic discomfort that wont go away or is getting worse, reach out to your healthcare provider. Your provider can properly diagnose whats going on UTI or not and come up with a treatment plan that helps you feel better ASAP.
In-person office visits can be booked using your app or the One Medical website. If youd like to consult with a provider urgently in real time to help you make a plan, on-demand video chats can be requested from your One Medical app.
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Holding In Your Urine
If you have to go, go! Holding our urine for 6 hours or more may make UTIs more common, as bacteria that does get into the bladder has lots of time to overgrow between voids, Dr. Hawes says. While traveling, for example, it may seem like a good idea to hold tight and keep driving until the next rest area, but do yourself a favor and stopthe extra miles arent worth the risk of a UTI.
Food Allergies Can Trigger Gas
Two other common conditions besides IBS can also provoke intestinal gas, pain, and bloating: food allergy and food intolerance. A significant proportion of IC patients suffer from allergies and intolerances, and allergic IC patients often find relief from bladder symptoms when they avoid the foods they are allergic to. But while the intestinal symptoms may be similar, a food allergy is not the same as a food intolerance. A true allergy is mediated by a substance in the body called IgE. In diagnosing an allergy, a doctor may look for high levels of circulating IgE in your system. An intolerance does not involve IgE. Another difference: allergies are usually triggered by proteins in foods , whereas intolerances can develop in reaction to sugars, gluten, and many other non-protein molecules.
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Theres Nothing Pleasant About Suffering From A Urinary Tract Infection
Unfortunately, UTIs are extremely common among women, mainly due to a womans anatomy. In women, its common to have bladder infections because the urethra tends to be very short and close to the anal opening, explains Erika Feuerstein, a family physician and educational director at the Bay Centre for Birth Control at the Womens College Hospital in Toronto. Meaning its easy for bacteria like E. coli to transfer back up into the bladder.
Think you might have one? Read on to find out the symptoms of a UTI.
Pregnancy And Urinary Tract Infections
Pregnant women with a UTI that develops into a kidney infection are at higher risk of developing additional complications, which may affect both them and the fetus. Such complications include anemia, premature labor, low birth weight and, in very rare cases, stillbirth.
Fortunately, early medical intervention means that urinary tract infections in pregnant women can usually be treated successfully. If the affected person has a lower urinary tract infection, a course of oral antibiotics is the most common treatment method. If an upper urinary tract infection is suspected, the doctor may recommend administering antibiotics intravenously in hospital instead.
Once the infection has cleared, a doctor may choose to prescribe low-level, prophylactic antibiotics for the remainder of the pregnancy to reduce the risk of a UTI returning.
Pregnancy can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI. This is due to numerous factors, including hormonal changes and the increased weight of the uterus putting pressure on the bladder.
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Complications Of Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are an extremely common condition, and most people recover quickly with antibiotic treatment. However, if left untreated the infection can spread throughout the urinary tract system, increasing in severity and causing complications.
In some cases, the infection can reach the kidneys in the upper urinary tract, an infection known as pyelonephritis. Without medical intervention, this can lead to permanent kidney damage. Possible complications from untreated UTIs include:
- Formation of abscesses within or around the kidneys
- Swelling of the kidneys, also known as hydronephrosis
- , also known as blood poisoning
All of these complications are serious and require immediate medical attention.
Who Is At Risk For A Bladder Infection
Anyone can get bladder infections, but women are more prone to getting them than men. This is because women have shorter urethras, making the path to the bladder easier for bacteria to reach.
Females urethras are also located closer to the rectum than mens urethras. This means there is a shorter distance for bacteria to travel.
As men age, the prostate can enlarge. This can cause blockages to the flow of urine and increase the likelihood of a man developing a UTI. UTIs tend to increase in men as they age.
Other factors can increase the risk of bladder infections for both men and women. These include:
- advanced age
- nitrites
- bacteria
Your doctor may also perform a urine culture, which is a test to determine the type of bacteria in the urine causing the infection. Once the type of bacteria is known, it will be tested for antibiotic sensitivity to determine which antibiotic will best treat the infection.
You can connect with a primary care doctor or an urologist in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool.
Bladder infections are treated with prescription medications to kill the bacteria, usually antibiotics, and medications that relieve pain and burning.
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