What Is The Prognosis For A Person With A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.
How Can I Prevent Bladder Inflammation
You can often prevent a bladder infection by adopting some good lifestyle practices. These practices include:
- Practice good hygiene habits: Make sure you have good hygiene habits and aggressively treat constipation or diarrhea.
- Drink plenty of fluids: Increase your fluid intake to help flush bacteria out of your bladder.
- Estrogen cream forpostmenopausal women: When women go through menopause, their vaginal tissue changes and the good vaginal bacteria that normally colonize the vagina cannot survive. Bacteria can colonize, which causes bladder infections. To reestablish the good bacteria, you may need topical estrogen cream. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether topical estrogen cream is right for you.
- Changing birth control: You may also want to change your birth control option if you have frequent bladder infections and UTIs. Women who use diaphragms and spermicide are at greater risk of infection. You should also use a water-based lubricant during sex if needed.
- Supplements: There are over-the-counter supplements that can help prevent infections in your urinary tract. If you have frequent UTIs and bladder infections, talk to your healthcare provider about these options and make a plan about the best ways to prevent infections.
Home Remedies For Bladder Infection Symptoms
Drinking plenty of water can help clear the infection and may help relieve your symptoms sooner. Some people find that taking cranberry extract also helps relieve their symptoms. However, research on this is inconclusive.
Some research suggests that consuming cranberry juice, extract, or pills can help prevent bladder infections. However, these are not treatments for a bladder infection if you already have one. It is also important to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to help keep your bladder healthy and prevent infection.
If you are currently treating a bladder infection, drinking plenty of water can help flush out bacteria and clear the infection.
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Why Do I Still Have Uti Symptoms After Antibiotics
Extensive research demonstrates that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are gradually reducing the effectiveness of UTI treatments. Its becoming increasingly common for some urinary tract infections to fail to respond to such therapy. When this occurs, the bacteria will continue to multiply, and symptoms persist.
Bladder Infection Signs: How To Spot Them
The pain can be so intense you almost cant walktrip after trip to the bathroom with no relief in sight. You might be experiencing the painful side effects of a bladder infection.
Urinary tract infections or UTIs can manifest as bladder infections. They affect more than 150 million people each year, and when left untreated, they can pose serious health risks.
But what are the bladder infection signs, and how do you spot them?
We have put together a comprehensive list of signs to help you identify a bladder infection so you can get the medical treatment you need as soon as possible.
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What Causes Urinary Tract Infections And What Are The Symptoms
Urinary tract infections are very common in sexually active young women as well as women after menopause. Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria from the vagina invade the bladder by climbing the urethra. In rare cases, the same bacteria can climb the ureter the tube that connects the bladder and kidney and cause a kidney infection.
The most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection are a burning sensation during urination, pelvic pain, frequent need to urinate, and the feeling of not being able to completely empty your bladder.
With severe urinary tract infections, a woman might see blood in her urine. In older patients, symptoms are sometimes more subtle and can include confusion.
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How Can I Avoid A Bladder Infection
Its not always easy to avoid contracting a bladder infection, but there are some precautions you can take to reduce your risk.
These precautions include:
- Not waiting long periods to empty your bladder when you feel the urge
- Making sure you empty your bladder fully
- Avoiding the use of perfumed products around your genitals
- Emptying your bladder after sex
- Wiping from the front to the back after going to the toilet
- Avoiding using a contraceptive diaphragm or spermicidal condoms or lubricant
- Wearing cotton instead of synthetic underwear
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What Causes A Uti
The most common cause of UTIs is bacteria. While more than one type of bacteria can cause a UTI, Escherichia coli is often the culprit. When bacteria get inside of the urinary tract, your body takes steps to protect you from the threat and fight it off. This results in inflammation that you may perceive as pain or pressure.
Inflammation also leads to swelling, making it difficult for urine to move through the urinary tract. Thats why you may feel like you need to urinate often or like you cant completely empty urine when you go to the bathroom.
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Does A Uti Get Worse Before It Gets Better
Sometimes, it will feel like it is getting worse. It can take several days for the antibiotics to take effect and help relieve symptoms.
While you shouldnt treat a UTI yourself, you can help prevent it or reduce the symptoms. As you take the medications your doctor recommends, drink a lot of water and use the bathroom frequently. Connect with your doctor with worsening symptoms and any questions.
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Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections
It is generally not recommended to treat urinary tract infections with home remedies alone, because antibiotic treatment is usually required to clear the infection. It is only in very mild cases of cystitis that the infection may clear without medical intervention. However, it is possible to use certain natural methods at home alongside antibiotic treatment to alleviate pain and help clear the infection quicker. Such remedies can include:
- Drinking plenty of water, ideally at least 1.5 liters a day, to help flush the bacteria out of the body
- Placing a hot water bottle or heating pad against the abdomen or lower back to ease pain in those areas make sure to wrap the heating device in a clean cloth or towel before application to avoid burns from direct contact with the skin
- Taking pain-relief medications, such as paracetamol/acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen
Drinking cranberry juice has been cited in the past as a successful treatment method for urinary tract infections. Although not harmful, recent studies indicate the benefit of cranberry juice for treating UTIs is limited.
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.
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Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection
Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection often vary from person to person. Factors such as age, gender and the type of UTI may determine precisely which symptoms are experienced and to what degree. However, there are some common symptoms to look out for as an indication of a urinary tract infection.
Fever And Chills Along With Your Back Pain
This could also mean that you have a urinary tract infection.
If you have any of these symptoms, along with your back pain, you should call your doctor right away.
If your pain is unbearable, is associated with fevers or chills, or you have nausea and vomiting that is preventing you from keeping down fluids or medications, you should seek immediate medical attention, Nguyen says.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Cystitis
The main symptoms of cystitis include:
- pain, burning or stinging when you pee
- needing to pee more often and urgently than normal
- urine that’s dark, cloudy or strong smelling
- pain low down in your tummy
- feeling generally unwell, achy, sick and tired
Possible symptoms in young children include:
- pain in their tummy
- reduced appetite and vomiting
How Are Urinary Tract Infections Treated
You will need to treat a urinary tract infection. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and fight an infection. Antibiotics are typically used to treat urinary tract infections. Your healthcare provider will pick a drug that best treats the particular bacteria thats causing your infection. Some commonly used antibiotics can include:
- Nitrofurantoin.
- Doxycycline.
- Quinolones .
Its very important that you follow your healthcare providers directions for taking the medicine. Dont stop taking the antibiotic because your symptoms go away and you start feeling better. If the infection is not treated completely with the full course of antibiotics, it can return.
If you have a history of frequent urinary tract infections, you may be given a prescription for antibiotics that you would take at the first onset of symptoms. Other patients may be given antibiotics to take every day, every other day, or after sexual intercourse to prevent the infection. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment option for you if you have a history of frequent UTIs.
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When To See A Gp
Women do not necessarily need to see a GP if they have cystitis, as mild cases often get better without treatment.
Try some self-help measures or ask a pharmacist for advice.
See a GP if:
- youre not sure whether you have cystitis
- your symptoms do not start to improve within 3 days
- you get cystitis frequently
- you have severe symptoms, such as blood in your urine, a fever or pain in your side
- youre pregnant and have symptoms of cystitis
- youre a man and have symptoms of cystitis
- your child has symptoms of cystitis
A GP should be able to diagnose cystitis by asking about your symptoms.
They may test a sample of your urine for bacteria to help confirm the diagnosis.
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Top Tips To Prevent Further Bladder Infections
When you chat with you doctor, he may suggest you make a few lifestyle changes including:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Reduce your intake of alcohol, tea and coffee as these can all irritate the bladder
- Take urinary alkalinisers
- Take mild painkillers for pain relief
- Avoid eating any foods that can irritate the bladder while the infection is present, including foods with high acid content and amino acids
- Drink cranberry juice everyday
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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 doctor’s office, you’ll 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.
Treating Urinary Tract Infections
Your recommended treatment plan by your GP will depend on whether your infection is in the upper or lower urinary tract.
Both types of urinary tract infection can usually be treated at home using a course of antibiotics.
If an upper UTI is more serious or there is increased risk of complications, you may need hospital treatment.
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Can You Have A Bladder Infection Without Pain
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What Will I Need To Tell My Doctor
You should tell your doctor if you have had UTIs before , how many you have had, and how they were treated. Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have, such as diabetes or AIDS, because these could affect your body’s response to infection. Tell your doctor if you know about any abnormality in your urinary tract, or if you are pregnant or might be pregnant. Tell your doctor if you have had unsafe sex or anal sex. Tell your doctor if you have had any procedures or surgeries on your urinary tract, if you were recently hospitalized, or if you recently stayed in a nursing home.
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Changes In Bladder Habits Or Symptoms Of Irritation
Bladder cancer can sometimes cause changes in urination, such as:
- Having to urinate more often than usual
- Pain or burning during urination
- Feeling as if you need to go right away, even when your bladder isnt full
- Having trouble urinating or having a weak urine stream
- Having to get up to urinate many times during the night
These symptoms are more likely to be caused by a urinary tract infection , bladder stones, an overactive bladder, or an enlarged prostate . Still, its important to have them checked by a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Uncommon Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection You Should Know
About 40% of women develop at least one urinary tract infection in their lifetime. Having one UTI over the span of decades doesnt sound too bad, but not all women are that lucky.
Its estimated that 20-30% of women will have a second UTI within 3-4 months. And for 11% of women, UTIs become an ongoing problem, recurring at least once every year and often more frequently.
UTIs typically cause a specific cluster of symptoms: a strong need to urinate, frequent urination, burning when you urinate, and passing small amounts of urine. Women receive comprehensive care for UTIs at Fred A. Williams, MD, so call the office in Paris, Texas, if you experience any of those symptoms.
Were also available to answer your questions if you develop one or more of these three uncommon symptoms of a UTI.
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How Long Do Kidney Stone Symptoms Last
As mentioned, the time frame for these symptoms can be as short as a week or up to a month and beyond. So, even if it feels like your kidney stone pain has subsided, its important to reach out to your doctor since sporadic pain is common with this condition.
While some kidney stones pass on their own, others require treatment such as medications or procedures to help break up the stone or even surgical removal. Your doctor can perform the tests needed to determine whether the stone is likely to pass on its own or if you might need treatment. In addition, your doctor can help you manage the pain associated with passing the stone, adds Dr. Kannady.
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What Can I Expect During A Urinalysis
In most cases, youll perform a urinalysis at your healthcare providers office or at a laboratory using the clean catch method, which is intended to help prevent contamination of your urine sample with cells from your genitals. You or your healthcare provider can also collect a urine sample using a catheter.
For the clean catch method, your provider will give you a specimen cup, sterile wipes and specific instructions for collecting your urine sample. Your provider will tell you what to do with your urine sample after youve collected it. Its important to wash your hands with soap and water before you collect the sample.
Collecting a clean catch urine sample if you have labia
If you have labia, use the following steps to get a clean catch urine sample:
- Start by sitting on the toilet with your legs spread apart.
- Using two fingers, spread your labia open. Then, use one sterile wipe to clean the inner folds of your labia, wiping from front to back.
- Use another sterile wipe to clean over your urethra, the opening where urine flows out of your body.
- Urinate a small amount into the toilet.
- Stop the flow of urine, and hold the specimen cup a few inches away from your urethra.
- Urinate into the cup, filling it about half full or however full your provider instructed you to.
- Finish urinating into the toilet.
Collecting a clean catch urine sample if you have a penis
If you have a penis, use the following steps to get a clean catch urine sample:
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