What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract. These infections develop in the urethra, bladder and kidneys, which are typically sterile environments that have natural mechanisms, such as urination, to keep bacteria out. However, bacteria can sometimes overcome these natural mechanisms, resulting in a UTI.
UTIs are among the most common infections people experience, especially among women. More than half of all women experience a UTI at some point in their lives.
Fortunately, your primary care or women’s health provider can treat UTIs easily and effectively with antibiotics, giving you relief from your symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
UTIs don’t always cause symptoms, but when they do, they may include:
- Pain in the flank, abdomen, pelvic area or lower back
- Pressure in the lower pelvis
- Cloudy or unpleasant-smelling urine
- Urinary incontinence
- Frequent urination
- Urge incontinence
- Painful urination (dysuria)
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Additional symptoms can include:
- Pain in the genitals
- Extreme fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
- Mental changes or confusion
When to see a doctor
Visit your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of a UTI. UTIs don’t go away on their own, and early medical attention allows you to find relief from your symptoms and prevents a bladder infection from turning into a kidney infection.
Causes of UTIs
Urinary tract infections are typically caused by bacteria, with E. coli responsible for over 90% of bladder infections. E. coli normally lives in the lower intestines but can enter the urethra, infect the bladder and potentially travel up the ureters to the kidneys.
UTI treatments
For many people, a course of antibiotics can treat bladder and kidney infections effectively within just a few days. Your provider will choose an antibiotic based on the type of bacteria causing your infection and may give you additional medications for pain and other symptoms.
Take the full course of your UTI medication as directed by your provider, even if you begin to feel better. Contact your provider if your antibiotic causes you to feel nauseous or dizzy, or you experience other side effects. In addition to taking antibiotics for a UTI, you can try home remedies to reduce your symptoms.
The following steps can help:
- Drink plenty of water
- Limit caffeine and carbonated drinks, which may irritate the bladder
- Urinate frequently
Find specialized care for a urinary tract infection
We help you get care at a location that fits your needs. We offer several locations for your care, including specialized urology centers in North and Central Texas.
