Urinary tract infections (UTI) are a common medical condition that tend to affect women more than men. It’s thought that about half of all women will develop a UTI at some point in their lives. While UTIs are usually annoying, more serious complications can result if the infection is left untreated. At Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care in Walnut Creek, California, patients suffering from UTI symptoms can receive a fast diagnosis from expert providers, ruling out more serious conditions and quickly starting a treatment plan for complete recovery. To learn more, call or come into the clinic right away.
Your urinary system is made up of a series of organs, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. When bacteria enter the urinary tract and infect one of these organs, the result is a urinary tract infection.
Women are the most common sufferers of UTIs, and a majority of UTIs tend to affect the bladder and urethra.
The most common symptoms of a UTI include:
Not all UTIs exhibit all of the symptoms above. Some can exhibit very minor symptoms or none at all. If you think you have a UTI, it’s important to receive a proper checkup to prevent the infection from getting worse.
Urinary tract infections occur when an invading bacteria finds its way into your urinary system. In most cases, your urinary tract does a good job of keeping out such invaders. In some cases, though, these bacteria can slip by and take up residence, multiplying into a full infection.
Gastrointestinal bacteria such as E.coli are to blame for many UTI cases. A few factors can put you at greater risk for developing an infection, including:
The relatively close proximity of the vagina to the anus makes it easier for bacteria to travel from one to the other. Women also have a shorter urethra than men, which means bacteria have a shorter distance to travel to get to the bladder.
Men and women both have a greater chance of developing a UTI when they’re sexually active.
Blockages such as kidney stones or developmental abnormalities can make it easier for bacteria to become trapped in the urinary system.
Regular catheter use can leave you more vulnerable to bacteria getting into or becoming trapped in your urinary system.
Most UTIs respond well to simple antibiotics. Symptoms tend to disappear after a few days of treatment, though you’ll need to take all of the medication you’re prescribed in order to completely eliminate the infection.
If you regularly experience UTIs, your Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care provider might recommend a lower dosage of medication over a longer period of time, or after certain events such as sexual intercourse. Especially severe infections often can require intravenous antibiotics.
Tired of suffering through regular UTIs? Let the team at Walnut Creek Urgent Medical Care in Walnut Creek, California, provide a treatment routine that helps keep your UTIs under control. Call or come in right away to receive expert care with little to no wait time.
