UTI

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection within your urinary tract, which spans from your kidneys to your urethra, where urine comes out. Most UTIs start in the urethra but can migrate upward and affect organs like your bladder or kidneys if you don’t manage the infection early. 

These infections are common and manageable but can be highly uncomfortable when they’re active. Your UTI may cause symptoms like:

• A strong, persistent urge to urinate
• Painful or burning urination
• Cloudy urine
• Foul-smelling urine
• Frequent urination
• Pelvic pain, particularly in women

If the infection migrates to your bladder or kidneys, the symptoms can become much more intense. You might see blood in your urine or experience pain in your pelvis, back, or side. You should never ignore these symptoms, as a kidney infection can become deadly. 

What causes UTIs?

Urinary tract infections are much more common in women than in men because of their unique anatomy. Women’s urethras are shorter than men’s, and the opening is closer to the anus, where bacteria like E. coli reside.

The urinary system is designed to keep bacteria out, but they can sometimes spread and multiply within to cause a UTI. You may be at a higher-than-average risk of getting UTIs because of:

• Female anatomy
• Lots of sexual activity
• Catheter use
• A suppressed immune system
• Urinary tract blockages, like kidney stones
• The natural shape of your urinary tract
• Certain types of birth control
• Menopause

Your provider can discuss your urinary tract infection risk factors and offer preventive suggestions. You can lower your risk by drinking lots of water, avoiding irritating products around your urethral opening, urinating after sex, and wiping from front to back. 

How is a UTI treated?

Since UTIs come from bacteria, antibiotics are typically the first line of treatment. You must complete the entire round of antibiotics to clear the infection, even if your symptoms go away early. 

To manage the burning pain that often comes with a UTI, your provider at Canton Urgent Care might also give you a mild pain reliever. You can also manage pain by increasing the amount of water you drink daily, which may help flush out the infection faster too. 

Call Canton Urgent Care, book an appointment online, or walk in for prompt UTI testing and treatment today.