What causes a urinary tract infection?
A UTI develops when bacteria get into your urinary tract and cause an infection in the kidneys, bladder, ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder) or urethra (a tube that carries urine out of your body). UTIs have a different name, depending on the part of the urinary tract affected:
- Cystitis: bladder infection
- Urethritis: urethral infection
- Pyelonephritis: kidney infection
Women are more susceptible than men to UTIs because the opening of the urethra is in such close proximity to bacteria near the anus. Their risk for developing a UTI also increases after menopause, when loss of estrogen causes atrophy in the urinary tract lining.
What symptoms will I develop when I have a UTI?
A mild UTI may clear up before you develop any obvious signs. When you develop symptoms, you may experience:
- Frequent need to urinate
- Burning sensation during urination
- Passing frequent but small amounts of urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Urine that’s cloudy, pink, or dark-colored
- Pain in your lower abdomen
- Temporary urinary incontinence
If the infection spreads to your kidneys, you’ll have other symptoms, including a fever, nausea, and a pain in your upper back or side.
How is a UTI treated?
When you have symptoms of a UTI, the team at Apex Medical Professionals runs a urine analysis to verify whether an infection is present. They may also perform a urine culture to determine the type of bacteria, which in turn helps them decide which type of antibiotic to use.
A recurrent UTI is defined as having two or more infections in six months or three or more UTIs over the last year. If you’re diagnosed with recurrent UTIs, you may receive treatment to help prevent future infections, such as:
- Low-dose antibiotics for an extended period of time
- A single dose of antibiotic for use after sexual intercourse
- Estrogen replacement therapy or vaginal estrogen for postmenopausal women
The doctors at Apex Medical Professionals may also recommend drinking more water to dilute your urine and ensure you urinate frequently to flush out bacteria.
If you develop symptoms like frequent urination, call Apex Medical Professionals or book an appointment online.
