Questions to Ask Your Doctor About a UTI by Kristen King

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by bacteria that affects any part of your urinary system including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra.  A urinary tract infection can be called something different depending on where the infection is along the urinary track. If it is located in the kidneys it is called pyelonephritis or kidney infection. If it is in the bladder it’s called cystitis or bladder infection and if it affects the urethra it is known as urethritis. There are many factors that can cause a person to get a urinary tract infection such as not emptying your bladder completely, continuing use of a catheter, someone who has diabetes is at risk of getting a urinary tract infection; also Women are more likely to have this infection than men because of their shorter urethra. Some of the symptoms include foul smelling urine, pelvic pain in women, rectal pain in men, and some may experience a burning sensation when they urinate.  Serious UTIs can lead to Kidney infection which could alter the way the kidneys function. These symptoms are chills or sweating at night, high fever, and severe abdominal pain just to name a few. Here is a list of things you could ask your doctor regarding a urinary tract infection.

1. Can I have a UTI and not know it?
2. Will a urinary tract infection go away by itself?
3. What would happen if a UTI is left untreated?
4. Can a urinary tract infection be treated without taking any prescription medication?
5. How can I prevent myself from getting a urinary tract infection?
6. What are the risks of being pregnant and having a urinary tract infection?
7. How do I get tested for a Urinary tract infection?
8. How can I tell if my child has a urinary tract infection?
9. How can I stop recurrent urinary tract infections?

Having a UTI can be painful and or an uncomfortable thing to have but it’s not serious as long as it’s treated properly. If you have a urinary tract infection and are prescribed a medication for it, it is very important to take all of it because missing one dose could prolong the infection.  Sometimes if a UTI is left untreated the bacteria could get in the blood and cause a blood infection; which is a lot more serious that a bladder infection. This is why it is very important to seek medical attention if you think you have a UTI.  To prevent yourself from getting an infection you shouldn’t wear tight clothing, drink plenty of fluids, after using the bathroom wipe from front to back, and avoid using bath oils. You can also prevent UTIs by not drinking excessive amount of coffee or alcohol because it could possibly irritate the bladder.

References:

“Urinary Tract Infection.” Mayo clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, July 2012.

Web. 03 Dec. 2013.

“What Is Urinary Tract Infection? What Causes Urinary Tract Infection?” Medical News Today.

MediLexicon International, 26 May 2010. Web. 05 Dec. 2013.

“Urinary Tract Infection.” U.S National Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d. Web.

09 Dec. 2013.