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If you find yourself with lower abdominal discomfort and pain or burning while urinating, you may have a urinary tract infection (sometimes referred to as a bladder infection). While this condition is very common, it can be extremely disruptive to everyday life. You may be able to treat your UTI at home with over-the-counter medication, but if it persists, you will need to seek medical attention.
The urinary tract includes the kidney, ureters (tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder), the bladder itself and the urethra, which empties the bladder of urine. Urinary tract infections (UTI) can be present anywhere along the urinary tract. UTIs may be very uncomfortable, especially during urination. Prevention is fairly simple: drink plenty of water and practice good hygiene, including wiping from front to back after using the toilet.
Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the infection. The most common symptoms include:
Women, and especially elderly women and young girls, as well as male children who are uncircumcised, are at greatest risk for UTI. This generally is due to the very short urethra in women that doesn’t provide as much of a barrier to contamination, and the foreskin in boys allowing bacteria to become trapped. Hygiene is a contributing factor with children, the elderly or infirm.
A urinalysis will analyze a sample of urine taken in a cup for bacteria. If the test is positive, a doctor will prescribe an antibiotic, which should alleviate the symptoms within a few days. Recurring UTIs will require stronger antibiotics. While recovering at home, drink plenty of water to flush bacteria from your urine and avoid caffeine, alcohol and citrus beverages until your infection has cleared.
Contact a physician or proceed to an emergency department if customary symptoms are accompanied by any of the following: