UTI

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an issue originating in the urinary system that mostly affects women but can affect men too. Your urinary tract extends from your kidneys, through your ureters and bladder, and down through your urethra. An infection can affect any point in the urinary tract, though it usually comes from the outside and affects your urethra first.

Left unmanaged, a UTI can spread upward toward your kidneys. UTIs are more common in women because of the way their anatomy is configured: The urethra is shorter and its opening is closer to the anus, making it more likely for bacteria to get in. 

UTIs can develop because of all kinds of bacteria and other pathogens, but the most common cause of UTIs is E.coli. This bacteria is present inside your intestines. 

How are UTIs diagnosed?

When you come in with concerns of a UTI, the team at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care asks about your symptoms to find out if they’re consistent with a UTI. Symptoms of a UTI vary based on the infection’s location along the urinary tract, but can include:

• Persistent urge to urinate
• Burning during urination
• Clouded or discolored urine 
• Pelvic pain
• A strong smell from your urine
• Frequent dribbles of urine

If the infection reaches your kidneys, you could experience symptoms like fever, nausea, and back pain. 

If your symptoms appear to be from a urinary tract infection, the team at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care can confirm a diagnosis by testing a urine sample or by using a scope to view the inside of your bladder. 

How are UTIs treated?

Treating a UTI is quite simple and prevents the infection from spreading to other parts of your body. The team at Akachi Primary and Urgent Care prescribes antibiotics to clear the urinary tract infection. They choose a medication that’s best suited for the type of bacteria causing the infection.

When taking antibiotics, it’s highly important that you follow through with taking the entire course. Your symptoms should clear within a few days, but you shouldn’t take this as a sign to stop taking the antibiotics. 

If you get UTIs regularly, you can lower your risk by drinking plenty of water, drinking cranberry juice, wiping from front to back after using the bathroom, and urinating after sexual intercourse. 

Urinary tract infections happen every so often, but you can treat them with simple care from a physician. If you have symptoms of a UTI, schedule online or call Akachi Primary and Urgent Care for an appointment now.