Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Sterling, VA
A urinary tract infection can be incredibly painful and have concerning symptoms initially. As such, it is important to seek the proper care and do everything possible to prevent a urinary tract infection from occurring by understanding what it is, how it is treated, and how it can be prevented.
While prevention is the best way to deal with urinary tract infections, it is not always practical, and they may occur regardless of precautionary measures. With proper treatment, we can help you manage the symptoms of a urinary tract infection and treat the infection in a timely manner.
Urinary tract infection treatments are available at Millennium Medical Care Stone Springs in Sterling and the surrounding area. Our team can help you determine whether the symptoms you feel are related to a urinary tract infection and treat them. Visit our urgent care center for treatment today. No appointment required.
About Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
A urinary tract infection, often called a bladder infection, refers to any infection in the urinary system: the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Most commonly, UTIs occur in the lower urinary tract where the bladder and urethra are located, but more severe cases can result in a kidney infection. While minor cases of UTIs are often treatable at home with antibiotics and proper cleansing, it is not the same for more advanced cases. If symptoms persist or patients are unaware of how to treat their infection, they should seek medical care to relieve symptoms faster and ensure they receive proper treatment.
There are various causes for a urinary tract infection. It occurs due to a bacteria or fungus that enters the urinary tract and begins to multiply rapidly. Anything that can irritate your urinary tract can lead to an infection. Also, sexual activity and the presence of a sexually transmitted disease puts you at an increased risk. Urinary tract infections occur mainly in women, especially while pregnant.
Facts from The National Kidney Foundation
- One in five women will have at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime.
- Women are more likely to develop UTIs than men because women have a shorter urethra, which makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
- Those at increased risk for UTIs also include diabetics and men with enlarged prostate glands.
- Common symptoms of UTIs include an urgent need to urinate, a burning feeling when urinating, an aching feeling, pressure or pain in the lower abdomen, cloudy or blood-tinged urine, and a strong odor to urine.
- If not treated promptly, the infection can travel up to the kidneys and cause more serious problems.
- To help prevent UTIs, drink plenty of fluids, avoid postponing going to the bathroom for extended amounts of time and empty the bladder completely before going to sleep.
- Studies show that drinking a glass of cranberry juice each day may help prevent recurrent infections.
- Women specifically should wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom to prevent bacteria from the bowels from getting into the urinary tract.
“A urinary tract infection, often called a bladder infection, refers to any infection in the urinary system: the kidneys, bladder, and urethra”
Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection that can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The most common type occurs in the lower tract and is far less severe than one that occurs in the upper tract. The symptoms differ based on several factors, including whether the urinary tract infection is a lower tract infection or an upper tract one, whether the individual is male or female, and the cause of the infection.
A urinary infection that takes place in the lower tract usually affects the urethra and the bladder. The most common symptoms include:
- Burning while urinating
- Cloudy, pink, or even bloody urine
- Increased sensation to urinate
- Strong odor in urine
- Mild to severe pain
In most cases, a lower urinary tract infection can be treated with medical assistance and does not take long to recover. An upper tract urinary tract infection — which affects the kidneys — typically has a longer recovery period and requires treatment immediately. An upper urinary tract infection can be potentially life-threatening if not dealt with properly. The most common symptoms of an upper urinary tract infection:
- Pain in and around the urinary tract
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
For the most part, the symptoms of a urinary tract infection are the same in men and women. However, there are slight differences to be aware of. In men, the pain is typically felt in the rectal region, while it is often felt in the pelvic region for women. Pain can also be present in the back, where the kidneys are located.
While symptoms can be managed with prompt medical assistance, a urinary tract infection worsens the longer it is untreated.
Diagnosis and Treatment
In the event that you are experiencing UTI symptoms, our urgent care facility can provide an accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment. In most cases, we can diagnose a urinary tract infection by analyzing a urine sample and documenting any and all symptoms. In some cases, a laboratory test may be necessary to find out the exact type of bacteria causing the infection. This type of test ultimately helps us provide the proper treatment for recovery. In some instances, we may need imaging of the urinary tract for diagnosis as well.
The most common form of treatment is antibiotics, assuming the cause of the urinary tract infection is a bacteria. Lower tract infections usually only require oral antibiotics, while an upper tract infection may need intravenous antibiotics. For bacterial urinary tract infections, antibiotics are usually the only form of treatment that can help relieve the symptoms. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a painkiller to keep the pain at a tolerable level, but they do not treat the infection.
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Home Remedies
The earlier a urinary tract infection is treated, the better. If the symptoms persist and progress for an extended amount of time without treatment, they can become extremely concerning, especially if the infection occurs in the upper tract. While treatment is important, there are certain home remedies that people can implement to help keep the symptoms tolerable and ensure that the infection does not last longer than necessary.
Drinking plenty of water with a urinary tract infection can significantly reduce pain and symptoms. It may seem counterproductive as urination becomes more frequent and can be painful, but it is important to ensure a quick recovery. Also, the process of urinating helps with the infection. Resisting the urge to urinate can aggravate the infection and make it worse.
“Drinking plenty of water with a urinary tract infection can significantly reduce pain and symptoms.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is a urinary tract infection?
Q. What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
Q. How do urgent care physicians diagnose and treat UTIs?
People Also Ask
Q. What are the common symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases?
When to Seek Urgent Care for a UTI
It is important to visit a healthcare professional while it is in its early stages to ensure proper treatment and recovery. If symptoms begin to worsen and become severe, seek medical assistance right away. In most cases, severe symptoms often suggest that the infection is in the kidneys, which can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated for too long.
Additionally, a chronic urinary tract infection (lasts for an extended amount of time despite treatment) needs medical assistance in order to diagnose the issue. In some cases, misdiagnosing the cause of the urinary tract infection could inevitably lead to the wrong treatment. This is why it is crucial to seek professional medical treatment. In most cases, symptoms begin to go away within a week, so any urinary tract infection symptoms that last for longer without improvement are concerning.
Lastly, pregnant women who experience a urinary tract infection should visit urgent care right away, as there is an increased chance of the infection spreading to the kidneys, causing high blood pressure or premature delivery. Due to this, it is best for pregnant women to do everything in their power to try and prevent a urinary tract infection, especially since pregnant women are typically more at risk of developing one.
“In most cases, severe symptoms often suggest that the infection is in the kidneys, which can be a life-threatening condition if left untreated for too long.”
Questions to Ask
- What caused my urinary tract infection? Is it something that I could have prevented?
- What will my treatment consist of and is it safe?
- How long will it take for the medication to begin working?
- What complications can my urinary tract infection potentially cause?
- What tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis? Are you sure that what I have is a urinary tract infection?
- What preventive measure should I take to ensure the urinary tract infection does not return after treatment?
- Are there any side effects of the medication that I should be aware of?
- Should I see a specialist for my urinary tract infection?
- Who is most at risk of developing a urinary tract infection? Am I at an increased risk?
- What should I do if my symptoms begin to worsen?
- Am I contagious? Should I be concerned that my partner will get a urinary tract infection?
- Is there a risk of my urinary tract infection spreading to other parts of my body?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. If left untreated, can a urinary tract infection spread to other parts of the body?
A. Yes, a urinary tract infection can spread to other parts of the urinary tract and the body. In fact, the fear of the infection spreading is why it is such a serious matter, especially upper tract infections. The biggest concern of an infection left untreated is that it will reach the kidneys, which is inside the urinary system. If a urinary tract infection reaches the kidneys, then the condition may be considered life-threatening.
Q. What factors put individuals at an increased risk of developing a urinary tract infection?
A. Women are far more at risk of developing a urinary tract infection than men, especially while pregnant. The existence of a sexually transmitted disease can place you at an increased risk as well. Additionally, anything that irritates the urinary system could lead to an infection, such as holding in urine, not drinking enough water or not receiving the proper dosage of vitamins. Also, urinary tract infections tend to affect older people more than younger. Therefore, anyone over the age of 50 should take extra caution by drinking plenty of water and ensuring that they urinate often enough.
Q. I know urinary tract infections are fairly common in women but are they common in men as well?
A. It is true that women are at a much higher risk of developing a urinary tract infection than men, but that is not to say that men do not suffer from the condition as well. Urinary tract infections are very common, and therefore, men should also take precautions. In most cases, the symptoms in both men and women are close to identical.
Q. Does drinking more water provide relief from a urinary tract infection?
A. Drinking more water may not provide relief to the symptoms of a urinary tract infection — which typically include pain while urinating and discoloration of the urine — but it often helps aid in the recovery process. While suffering from a urinary tract infection, the first reaction is often to not drink water, as it causes urination, which can be painful. However, drinking water and urinating frequently are both important factors in recovering from a urinary tract infection.
Q. Peeing is very painful when I have a urinary tract infection. Should I try and limit the amount I pee to avoid complicating the urinary tract infection?
A. No. The more you pee, the better. In most cases, there is likely to not be much that comes out when attempting to urinate with a urinary tract infection, but it is important to try anyway, as doing so can help the urinary system flush out the infection and fully recover. In the event that the urinating becomes incredibly painful and intolerable, come into our urgent care facility for additional treatment.
Q. My child has a urinary tract infection. What should I do now?
A. While it is far less common, children can also get a urinary tract infection. In the event that your child starts to show signs of a urinary tract infection, be sure to seek urgent care, as they may not be able to fight off the infection as well as an adult is able to. If your child begins to show symptoms of an upper tract infection — which includes fever, chills, and vomiting — consider it extra urgent, and a trip to the emergency room may be in order. However, most urinary tract infections in children are not serious and can be overcome within a week with antibiotic treatment.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with stronger medication and treatment options instead of ineffective store-bought products.
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Visit Us Today
In order to ensure a quick and full recovery from a urinary tract infection, come in for a visit or consult with us anytime you begin to experience the symptoms of a urinary tract infection, especially if it may be affecting the upper tract. If you are concerned about UTI symptoms and want to schedule an examination, visit our urgent care facility today.
Helpful Related Links
- American Journal of Medicine. American Journal of Medicine. 2023
- American Medical Association (AMA). American Medical Association (AMA). 2023
- American Medical Society For Sports Medicine (AMSSM). American Medical Society For Sports Medicine. 2023
- American Trauma Society. American Trauma Society. 2023
- John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. John Hopkins Medicine Orthopaedic Surgery. 2023
- National Council on Aging. National Council on Aging. 2023
- Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. Orthopaedic Surgery: Association of American Medical Colleges. 2023
- Radiological Society of North America. Radiological Society of North America. 2023
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