Urinary tract infections UTI, are one of the most common types of infections that strike the urinary tract and can be very painful to deal with. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your risk of getting UTIs and to treat them quickly if you do get one. Here’s how to tell if you have a UTI and what to do about it.
The Causes of Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria that
enter and infect your urinary tract. A variety of things can bring on a UTI,
including sexual intercourse, strenuous exercise, using public toilets and not
washing your hands afterward. Some people are more prone to them than others.
If you experience pain in your lower abdomen or other symptoms like fever,
chills or nausea, it’s time to see your doctor for some blood tests and
antibiotics.
Signs and Symptoms of a UTI
There are a number of symptoms and signs that can indicate
that you have a urinary tract infection. The more common symptoms are: frequent
or urgent need to urinate, pain in your lower back or lower abdomen, bloody
urine, and pain during sexual intercourse. Depending on how severe your case is
and what location in your body it’s in, you may also experience fever and
chills, nausea or vomiting, fatigue (feeling tired), headaches, body aches and
cramps.
Getting Yourself Tested
The first step in getting yourself tested for a urinary
tract infection is to see your doctor and report what symptoms you’re
experiencing. Your doctor will give you a physical exam and may ask questions
about your medical history. They might also ask you questions about what type
of bacteria—if any—you’ve been exposed to recently.
The Different Types of Tests for UTIs
There are two basic types of tests for UTIs: urine culture
and urinalysis. Both are inexpensive and accurate, but they’re used to detect
different things. If you think you might have a urinary tract infection, see
your doctor so that they can run both tests on your sample—one will tell them
what kind of bacteria is in your system (and determine what antibiotic they’ll
prescribe), while the other will give them more specific information about any
abnormalities happening in your body.
Treatments for UTIs
Most UTIs can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
Before you start taking medication, make sure you're taking steps to prevent
another urinary tract infection. Drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine and
alcohol (it increases your risk of having another infection), don't hold your
urine for long periods of time, and urinate when you feel a strong urge—doing
so keeps bacteria from building up in your urethra.
Other Ways to Prevent UTIs from Recurring
As you’re reading about how to tell if you have a UTI, be
sure to read about how you can prevent these infections from recurring. While
there are many things that you can do in your personal life (like drinking
plenty of water and always wiping front-to-back), sometimes these infections
return due to antibiotic use. If antibiotics are prescribed for your infection,
make sure that you only take them when absolutely necessary and even then, try
your best not to finish them all at once.
