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Why You Shouldn't Delay UTI Treatment
As many as 60% of American women will be affected by urinary tract infections (UTIs) over the course of their lives, the most common infection doctors see. Women have a greater risk of UTIs than men due to their anatomy, and generally, the risk increases as they get older.
While these infections are easily treated with antibiotics, their frequency can sometimes make patients take UTIs less seriously. While there are cases where a UTI will clear up spontaneously, they usually don’t without antibiotics. Since the urinary tract includes the kidneys, they’re at risk if an otherwise uncomplicated infection spreads.
It’s important not to delay treatment of any UTI. Potential complications can be serious, even when your condition isn’t serious or severe now. Contact OBGYN Care in Newport Beach or Irvine, California, as soon as possible after symptoms begin for an evaluation of your condition. Prompt treatment ensures you avoid more complex issues.
The signs of a UTI
While it’s possible to have a UTI without symptoms, in its early stages, you’ll often observe signs such as:
- Persistent urges to urinate
- Urges that produce small amounts of urine
- Burning sensations or pain during urination
- Strong odors to urine
- Pink, red, or brown color to urine, indicating bleeding
- Cloudy appearance to urine
- Centrally located pelvic pain, typically near the pubic bone
The symptoms of UTIs can be similar to other conditions, so they can be misinterpreted or mistaken for other conditions, making it doubly important to have your condition verified by a doctor.
UTI types
The urinary tract involves three major sections:
- Urethra
- Bladder
- Kidneys
Typically, infections start in the urethra and move deeper the longer you delay treatment. Because of this, your symptoms may hold a clue as to the point of progression of your infection.
Urethritis
When the infection is in your urethra, a condition called urethritis, your symptoms are most likely to include pain or burning during urination, and possibly the presence of a discharge.
Cystitis
When the infection spreads to the bladder, called cystitis, you’re more likely to feel pelvic pressure and pain while experiencing frequent, incomplete, and/or painful urination. Blood may also be present in your urine.
Acute pyelonephritis
Infection reaching your kidneys represents the most serious and potentially dangerous level of UTI. Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis include fever, shaking and chills. Pain could reach your sides and upper back. You may experience nausea and vomiting, and immediate medical attention is essential to prevent permanent kidney damage.
At the first signs of a UTI, contact OBGYN Care to schedule an exam. You can call the most convenient office directly or use the online request tool to set up your appointment. Treatment for your infection is simple, easy to follow, and painless, so there’s no need to accept the symptoms of your UTI. Book your appointment now.
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