main of No One Enjoys Dealing With Urinary Tract Infections

Have you ever experienced an instance when going to the bathroom burned, was uncomfortable or felt like an excessive amount of pressure was placed on your bladder? This occurrence could have sprung up after a prolonged camping trip, ignoring your diet for a few weeks or as a result of taking doctor-prescribed medications. While this may appear like a side effect that one can ignore, these symptoms arise from a problem known as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Even though a urinary tract infection is a common ailment to come down with, it can cause extensive damage when left untreated or ignored. If you have experienced a urinary tract infection in the past or are currently dealing with the side effects of a UTI, here's what you need to know to identify and begin the process of handling it. 

Common Causes of Urinary Tract Infections

Even though a UTI may sound intimidating or anxiety-provoking, they're a fairly common issue that patients experience at some point in their lives. New data now shows that a large portion of the population -- typically women -- will come down with a UTI at some in their adult years. With the number of patients being this large, doctors and healthcare physicians have learned to treat UTIs with supreme efficacy. Although this is by no means a comprehensive list of reasons patients may come down with a UTI, it begins to paint a picture:

  • Lackluster hygiene
  • Poor diet
  • Dehydration
  • Birth control
  • Menopause
  • Ill-fitting undergarments
  • E. coli

Urinary tract infections are an issue with a multi-faceted symptom and causal range. For readers that may have frequent UTIs, examine this list and consult with a healthcare professional for technical insight into why these infections are occurring regularly.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Ask anyone that has experienced a urinary tract infection in the past, and they will all report the same message: UTIs are something you can't ignore or push to the back of the mind. The most common symptom that patients experience once a UTI has set in is a burning sensation when urinating. As the bladder and the urethral lining become inflamed and damaged, urine passing through the area can lead to unwanted pressure and stinging sensations. Although this is the most common side effect that patients experience, here are the other symptoms to be aware of when someone suspects they may have a UTI:

  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Dark and cloudy urine
  • Small traces of blood
  • Aching in the lower back and hips
  • Pain and pressure in the pelvic region
  • Difficulty producing urine

Anyone experiencing symptoms should quickly begin consulting with a doctor. It is the best option for immediate relief and recovery. Don't wait until it's too late!

Treatment

Patients can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that, although UTIs can feel like a fire has ignited within them, it typically goes away as quickly as it came. The majority of patients may remedy their infection with rest, proper hydration, emphasis on hygiene and a little cranberry juice consumption. When patients use a mixture of these at-home treatments, infections typically go away in a few days.

However, readers should also be aware that certain infections can lead to health problems that require immediate medical assistance. Severe cases of infection typically occur in patients whose infection has traveled into their kidneys (pyelonephritis).

Once the infection enters the kidneys, extreme fatigue, shaking and high fever typically occur within twenty-four hours. Patients should immediately visit a clinic, or in more severe instances, an emergency room. Doctors treat serious cases of kidney infection with intravenous antibiotics and fluids to push out the infected material. While hospital stays are not a common occurrence, they should not be overlooked.

Readers should remember that their health and well-being are important factors that cannot be ignored. Failure to treat their UTI can lead to extensive damage in their bladder, impaired kidney function and sepsis.