UTIs can be a real pain in the… well, you know where. They’re pretty common, especially among us gals, but they can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. The good news? They’re usually easily treatable with a round of antibiotics but we’ll get to that in a bit.
So, what exactly are UTIs and how do you know if you’ve got one? Let’s break it down.
First off, UTIs are generally caused by bacteria making their way into your urinary tract. In most cases, bacteria from the gut enter the urinary tract through the urethra. This may happen when wiping your bottom or having sex. But often it’s not clear why it happens.
Besides feeling like your bladder is staging a revolt, symptoms of a UTI can vary, but there are some common signs to watch out for:
- Burning sensation during urination
- Constant lower abdominal discomfort (feels like pressure and/or throbbing)
- Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder (the worst!)
- Sudden urges to urinate
- Low-grade fever
- And sometimes, you might even notice blood in your urine (yikes!)
Not exactly a party, right? But hey, recognizing the symptoms is the first step to getting back on track.
Now, let’s get into diagnosis and treatment.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s time to pay a visit to your neighborhood urgent care clinic and that’s where we come in. At Citra Urgent Care, we offer simple urinalysis tests that can help determine if someone has a UTI. This test involves analyzing a urine sample to detect the presence of bacteria or white blood cells, which are indicative of an infection. The process is quick, and painless, and allows us to provide timely results and initiate treatment as needed.
In addition to urinalysis, our healthcare providers may recommend additional testing to rule out other potential causes of symptoms. This may include STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) testing, as some STIs can present with similar symptoms to UTIs. By conducting thorough testing, we can ensure an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for our patients.
Once a UTI is diagnosed, treatment typically involves a course of antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Here at Citra, we usually prescribe antibiotics such as Macrobid, Bactrim, or Cephalexin but every patient is unique and we take heed in treating them as such. We prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic based on factors such as the severity of the infection and any underlying health conditions.
In addition to antibiotics, our care team might suggest some simple tricks to ease your discomfort, speed up recovery, and even help prevent future UTIs. A few may include:
- Drinking plenty of water to flush out bacteria
- Avoiding irritants such as caffeine and alcohol
- Using over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
And lastly, always remember to wipe from front to back after using the restroom, it’s a small change but it can make a big difference in preventing infections. And hey, if you’ve had some fun between the sheets recently, it’s a good idea to pee after intercourse to help clear out any bacteria that might’ve decided to tag along.
We’re not just here to treat your symptoms; we’re here to make sure you’re armed with all the knowledge and tips to keep those UTIs at bay. So, if you’re ever in need of advice or a friendly chat about urinary health, you know where to find us!
