UTI

Does your urine look cloudy or have an off-odor? Are you experiencing pain or burning during urination? You may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). The team at Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine, based in New York City, can diagnose and treat your UTI to resolve your symptoms and prevent further complications. If you suspect you have a UTI, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is a urinary tract infection?

Urinary Tract Infections typically affect the lower urinary tract. Nevertheless, they can affect any part of your urinary system, which is comprised of your kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.

Women have historically been more susceptible to UTIs due to the complex shape of their urinary system. Bacteria can quickly travel up the urethra, which carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body.

Unlike the male urethra, female urethras are much shorter, which means they are closer to the rectum and, as a result, more prone to bacterial infection of the anal and vaginal area.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

In some cases, UTIs do not exhibit any symptoms. In most cases, however, the symptoms of a UTI include:

• Continuous urge to urinate that yields only small amounts of urine
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Red, bright pink, cola-colored urine (this means your urine contains blood)
• Cloudy urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Women: pelvic pain

While these symptoms are the most common, their intensity can dramatically fluctuate depending on which area of your urinary system is infected.

Kidney infections

Kidney infections are easily identifiable. If you’re in pain in your upper back and side, or if a high fever is causing you to have chills, shaking, and vomiting, you might be suffering from a kidney infection.

Bladder infections

Also known as cystitis, bladder infections often lead to lower abdominal pain. In most cases, however, bladder infections affect your urinating patterns, cause intense pelvic pressure, and color your urine with blood, making it painful to go to the bathroom.

Urethra infections

Urethral infections, also called urethritis, are similar to bladder infections, though the source of the infection is in a different location. Urethritis often causes discharges from the urethra, which in turn cause burning sensations while urinating.

What complications can a UTI cause?

UTIs are easily treatable with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, they can cause permanent damage to your kidneys, sepsis, and recurring infections. Untreated UTIs also lead to reduced urinary flow and urethral narrowing.

How do you prevent UTIs?

Both men and women can prevent UTIs by drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water, which helps dilute your urine and makes you urinate more often. The more often you urinate, the more bacteria you flush down.

Women can do any of the following to reduce their risks of developing a UTI:

• Vigorous wiping after urination/bowel movement
• Emptying your bladder after intercourse
• Avoid deodorant sprays
• Shower vs. bubble bath
• Opt for safe, non-bacterial growth-inducing birth control

Call Genesis Personal Healthcare Medicine to schedule a telehealth appointment or request one online today.