A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a complication that occurs when germs (bacteria) get into the urinary tract and cause an infection. In this post, we take a closer look at common causes and treatment options for the discomfort.
Understanding the anatomy
Your urinary tract is the system that makes urine and carries it out of the body. It includes your bladder and kidneys and the tubes that connect them.
Most UTIs are bladder infections. A bladder infection most often isn't serious if it's treated right away. But if you don't take care of a bladder infection, it can spread to your kidneys. A kidney infection is serious and can cause lasting damage.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of a UTI may include:
- Pain or burning with urination
- An urge to urinate often
- Cloudy, pink or red urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pain in the lower belly or flank
Caring for a UTI
If you think you have a UTI, follow these steps for relief:
- Get medical treatment right away. Antibiotics can cure most UTIs.
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid drinks with carbonation or caffeine, which can irritate the bladder.
- Urinate often and try to empty your bladder completely every time.
- To relieve pain, lay a heating pad set to low over your lower belly.
Cranberry juice
For years, people have used cranberry juice to prevent and help cure UTIs. There is limited proof that this is worth trying.
Pure cranberry juice, cranberry extract or cranberry supplements may help prevent repeated UTIs in women, but the benefit is small. Using cranberry products to prevent UTIs may be expensive, and some people don't like the taste.
If you do want to try cranberry juice to prevent UTIs, it's better to drink pure, unsweetened cranberry juice (rather than cranberry juice cocktail). Drinking cranberry juice cocktail doesn't seem to prevent UTIs better than drinking any other fruit juice.
Prevention
There are some things you can do that may help prevent UTIs, including:
- Drinking more water
- Taking time to empty your bladder as much as you can when you urinate
- If you're a sexually active woman, make sure to urinate soon after you have sex
If you suspect that you have a UTI, contact your primary care provider or visit one of our walk-in or urgent care locations for treatment.
Copyrighted material adapted with permission from Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
