What is a UTI?
A UTI is an infection in your urinary tract, which includes your urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys. It occurs when bacteria gets into the urinary tract via the urethra, the thin tube that transports urine from the bladder. There are three main types of UTIs:
- Urethritis: inflammation of the urethra
- Cystitis: inflammation of the bladder
- Pyelonephritis: inflammation of the kidneys
Cystitis is the most common UTI. Women get UTIs more frequently than men.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Signs that you have a UTI include:
- Increased need to urinate
- Foul-smelling urine
- Cloudy or pink urine
- Low back pain
- Burning while urinating
- Mild incontinence
You may also experience fever and chills. If your fever persists or gets too high, it may mean that the infection has travelled to your kidneys. In that case, you should call Dr. Dalal right away at Arizona Infectious Disease.
What causes a UTI?
Bacteria that naturally live around the colon and rectum can make their way to the urinary tract. There are several ways bacteria can access the urinary tract and cause a UTI:
- Sexual intercourse
- Catheterization
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Wiping the wrong way, from back to front
- Not drinking enough water
- Holding your urine too long
Hormonal changes, such as those during pregnancy or menopause, are also a common cause for the development of a UTI.
Who is at risk for developing a UTI?
Men and women are more susceptible to UTIs if they:
- Have diabetes
- Use specific types of birth control
- Suffer from kidney stones
- Are pregnant
- Going through menopause
- Have a compromised immune system
In addition, men with enlarged prostates are more prone to UTIs.
How are UTIs treated?
After a comprehensive examination and a review of your health history, Dr. Dalal writes a custom treatment plan. He typically recommends a course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria and infection. Even when you begin to feel better and your symptoms decrease, it’s important to complete the full length of your prescription to keep the UTI from recurring.
To get immediate relief from your UTI, call Arizona Infectious Disease or use the online scheduler to book now.
