Have you ever experienced discomfort or a burning feeling when urinating? You may also have had a strong urge to urinate which does not go away no matter how many times you urinate. These could be signs of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
A UTI could affect any part of the urinary system but most infections occur in the bladder or the urethra. The urinary tract gets infected due to bacteria that get into the urethra, most often from the rectum or the skin because usually the urine is not exposed to any pollutants internally as it is a byproduct of the filtration system of the body.
Types Of Urinary Tract Infections And The Symptoms
Usually the most common UTIs occur in the bladder and urethra and the following are the most common symptoms of urinary tract infections:
Having a burning sensation or pain when urinating
Having the urge to urinate frequently
Urine having a foul odor or having a dark or bloody color
Feeling a lot of pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen
Feeling tired or unwell
If the infection spreads to the kidneys then you will develop worse symptoms. These include:
Feeling a lot of pain in the lower back or the sides
Experiencing high fever
You might experience chills or shaking
Nausea and vomiting
If you are experiencing any of these UTI symptoms then you must visit a healthcare professional immediately. You can also meet one of our prescribing pharmacists at Medicare Plus Pharmacy and get over the counter medications for UTIs.
Urinary Tract Infections: Causes
Bacteria in the vicinity of the rectum or vagina are typically responsible for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and when these bacteria enter the urethra, they are usually eliminated by the body during urination. However, in certain instances, the body may be unable to flush them out, particularly if urine is held for prolonged periods, allowing the bacteria to spread to the bladder and, in severe cases, even to the kidneys.
Common risk factors that could increase the risk of a UTI:
Age – Most of the time older people or children are most likely to have UTIs
Being sexually active
Having experienced a UTI previously
Changes in the bacteria that can be found inside the vagina
Pregnancy
Genes or structural problems of the urinary tract
Poor hygiene
Urinary Tract Infections: Treatment
Treatment of urinary tract infections depends on the person and his/her medical history therefore a healthcare professional may need to run tests and understand the underlying issue or the cause of the UTI. The healthcare professional might ask you questions about the symptoms, do physical examinations or take urine samples for tests if it is necessary.
Our pharmacists at Medicare Plus Pharmacy will provide you with the necessary advice on how you can treat a UTI. The most common advice is by drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently; this will be beneficial as the bacteria needs to be flushed out before it spreads. Most of the time this would help you to get rid of the UTI naturally if it has not become worse.
Contact one of our healthcare professionals at Medicare Plus Pharmacy today to get more information on how to treat your UTI from our prescribing pharmacists