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Urinary symptoms can stem from various problems, including an infection in your urinary tract. You want to avoid a UTI; it can spread and become a real problem if you take action quickly.
Knowing the signs of a UTI is the best way to avoid pain, discomfort, and other serious problems.
If you're unsure of your symptoms, the team at NY Urology can help you decipher what's going on with your body. Dr. David Shusterman and Dr. Chong-Min Kim are urology specialists who provide treatments when a UTI strikes.
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is an infection that occurs in your kidneys, bladder, or urethra. Your urinary tract is where your kidneys produce urine as a byproduct that includes waste and excess fluid from your body.
Urine typically travels through your urinary system without a problem. Still, bacteria sometimes get into your urinary tract, causing an infection.
UTIs are more common in women than men due to several factors, including the proximity of the anus to the urethra. Wiping the wrong way after the bathroom may introduce dangerous bacteria into the urinary system.
The bacteria E coli is responsible for the majority of urinary tract infections. E coli lives in the intestines and can be present in bowel movements, so washing your hands is crucial in preventing infections.
Although anyone can get a urinary tract infection, several factors increase your risk of this condition. A few of the more common risk factors for a UTI include the following:
Potty training children are more likely to get a urinary tract infection because they're not yet able to wipe appropriately and often get fecal matter on their hands. However, older people are also at an increased risk for a UTI.
Women are more prone to UTIs, but that doesn't mean men can't get them too. An enlarged prostate and other structural problems may increase the risk of an infection.
If you're at risk for a UTI, you must know what symptoms to look out for. Most UTIs have prevalent signs and symptoms, some of which include:
An infection in any part of the urinary tract often causes pain when peeing. The pain may feel like burning or stinging. If you notice pain with urination, seek treatment as soon as possible.
Another common sign of a UTI is the feeling you must urinate often, although you may not get much pee out when you go. The urge to urinate frequently is often severe, even when you can't get urine out.
An infection in your urinary tract sometimes produces cloudy, foul-smelling urine. If you have these symptoms, seek help immediately for a UTI.
Inflammation in your urinary tract from an infection results in blood in the urine. You may be dealing with a UTI if your urine appears red, dark brown, or pink.
Pelvic pain or abdominal pressure is a common symptom of UTIs, especially in women. The pain or pressure is often low in the pelvis around where the bladder and urethra sit.
When you're concerned about urinary symptoms, the best thing to do is make an appointment with our team as soon as signs become evident.
Without treatment, urinary tract infections worsen and can spread throughout the urinary tract. A severe infection can lead to sepsis, a dangerous infection that affects your body and other organs.
If we suspect a UTI, our team performs a urinalysis and a urine culture to look for blood and white blood cells in the urine.
We treat a UTI with antibiotics, but staying hydrated is crucial to flush your body with the bacteria. The length of treatment depends on the type of UTI and the severity of the infection.
If you think your symptoms point to a UTI, don't hesitate to call NY Urology today to make an appointment with our team. You can also book a consultation online using our convenient scheduling tool.
