Don't Ignore a Urinary Tract Infection: Here's Why

As tempting as it might be to ignore the problem, a urinary tract infection (or UTI) shouldn’t be ignored. Ignoring a urinary tract infection is a way to guarantee further complications. Today, we’ll take a closer look at UTIs: what are their symptoms and how can you treat them? Is ignoring treatment really that bad of an idea?

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

Urinary tract infection symptoms can vary depending on where the infection is and other determining factors. A urinary tract infection can occur anywhere in the tract, including the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. Some UTIs don’t even cause symptoms at all. Not only that, but older adults may overlook or mistake a UTI for a different condition. This is all the more reason to be alert for possible urinary tract infection symptoms.

Some symptoms to be on the lookout for include a strong urge to urinate that doesn’t go away. And when you do urinate, there may be a burning sensation, or you may urinate just a small amount. The urine may also be unusually cloudy, strong-smelling, or have an unusual color. Be especially aware of a red, bright pink, or dark brown cola color. These are potential signs of blood in the urine. Additionally, women may feel pelvic pain, especially in the center of the pelvis.

Urinary Tract Infection Treatments

After you’ve been diagnosed, the most common urinary tract infection treatments are a regimen of antibiotics. Depending on your particular infection, you may require antibiotics.

In many cases, UTI symptoms will clear up within a few days of starting treatment. Depending on your case, your healthcare provider may recommend shorter or different courses of treatment. They may also prescribe a pain reliever to help relieve pain while urinating. However, the pain typically lessens during treatment on its own.

Frequent UTI infections may necessitate different options. You may be prescribed a long-term, low-dose antibiotic treatment. Or, your provider may ask you to stay in touch. For women who’ve reached menopause, your doctor may recommend vaginal estrogen therapy as a course of treatment. Severe urinary tract infections may require a visit to the hospital and an IV antibiotic drip.

Don’t Wait to Treat a Urinary Tract Infection

It’s a wise idea to treat a urinary tract infection as soon as possible. Treatment will improve your quality of life, but also remove the risk of any long-term damage to the urinary tract. If left unchecked, a bacterial infection can spread and damage the surrounding systems.

For example, one potential risk is in the kidneys. Due to bacterial buildup, kidneys can get permanently damaged. This is especially of concern for pregnant women suffering from UTIs.

Another risk from an untreated UTI is a permanent narrowing of the urethra. This more frequently affects men than women. However, both men and women can develop scarring in the urinary tract as a result of infection.

With an untreated UTI, a risk everyone gambles with is bacteria accumulating and entering the bloodstream. If bacteria enters the bloodstream, you can potentially develop sepsis. Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and can cause the shutdown of one or more organ systems. Instead of being limited to the urinary tract, now the entire body is infected.

Take Care of Your UTI with Help from BASS Urgent Care

Few infections can feel as painfully urgent as a urinary tract infection. As inconvenient or uncomfortable UTIs might be, it’s crucial to deal with a UTI as soon as it’s detected. The last thing you want to deal with is long-term side effects resulting from UTIs.

BASS Urgent Care’s medical professionals are there to help treat your UTI as soon as possible. Treatment is simple and easy, and potentially dangerous to put off, so call or schedule your appointment online today.