Is it a UTI? How to know and what to watch for
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are one of the most frequent reasons for antibiotics to be prescribed. While these infections can be painful and uncomfortable, pain isn’t the only symptom. Knowing what to watch for and how to recognize the telltale symptoms ensures you’re able to seek medical care so your UTI doesn’t become more serious.
Pamela Bailey, DO, spoke on what UTI symptoms to watch for and when to call your doctor.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
“A burning or painful sensation while urinating is probably the first symptom that comes to mind when you think of a UTI,” said Dr. Bailey. “But not everyone is going to feel that pain right away, and there are other symptoms to watch for, too.”
Other common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:
- Urgency, or feeling the need to go to the bathroom right away
- Feeling like you’re constantly going
- Feeling like even after you’ve gone to the bathroom, that you still have to go or weren’t able to empty your bladder all the way
- Only being able to produce a small amount of urine
“The need to go often or feeling like you’re never quite done can be hard to interpret in some people,” said Dr. Bailey. “If you’ve been prescribed a diuretic to manage blood pressure, you’ll tend to go more often because your kidneys are pushing out extra water. That would be a normal result of the medication and not a sign of a UTI.”
Dr. Bailey also noted that in some men with prostate issues, symptoms like going in small amounts or feeling like they’re not fully emptying their bladder are signs of a different problem, not a UTI.
When should you see a doctor if you have a UTI?
“If your infection is very mild, it might resolve without more than at-home treatment of symptoms,” said Dr. Bailey. “But UTIs often require the use of antibiotics to fully take care of the infection, and it’s worth speaking to a doctor even with mild UTIs to ensure you deal with the infection before it becomes more serious or severe.”
If your symptoms keep happening for more than a few days, you keep getting recurring UTIs or if your symptoms become more severe, make sure you schedule an appointment with a doctor and get treated right away.
Signs your UTI may be something worse
“Untreated UTIs can lead to infection elsewhere, like in the kidneys or even into your bloodstream,” said Dr. Bailey. “Symptoms of a more severe infection would require more urgent treatment or even a visit to the emergency room.”
Signs of more severe infection include:
- Fever greater than 100.5Β°F
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the back or flank
- Unable to keep food or water down
What can you do to prevent urinary tract infections?
“There are a few steps you can take to help lower your risk of getting bladder infections,” said Dr. Bailey. “First off, drink lots of water! We’re talking at least 1.5 liters of water every day. This will help your system flush the bladder and make you less likely to ever develop a UTI in the first place.”
Dr. Bailey added that it’s important to avoid juice, soda or sweet tea if you’re trying to lessen UTI risk, as sugary beverages can create the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply.
Other ways to lessen your risk for infection include making sure you don’t ‘hold it’ for long periods of time and use the restroom regularly whenever needed and that you ensure you’re wiping front to back every time.
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