As a woman, you're more likely to experience an urinary tract infection during your lifetime. According to some researchers, the average chance of having it seems to be as high as 1 in 2, but a large amount of women experience multiple infections over the course of years. Not only females experience an UTI, but it also affects about one out of every ten men at some point in their lives. Luckily, we have some tips for you. Here's how to deal with UTIs, as well as how to avoid them from happening in the first place and when to call our Costa del Sol GP for urinary tract infection in adults.
Is it a urinary tract infection?
A UTI can cause the following symptoms:
- Feeling a burning sensation when you pee
- A persistent need to pee, even though almost nothing comes out.
- Pee that is cloudy, dim, bloody, or smells odd
- Feeling exhausted or unsteady
- Shivers or fever (which is a symptom that the infection has spread to your kidneys)
- Back or lower abdominal pain or pressure
If you have any of the symptoms above please call our Costa del Sol GP for urinary tract infection in adults
Types of UTIs
Infections may occur in various parts of the urinary tract. Depending on where it is located, each form has a different name.
- Cystitis(bladder): You may feel the urge to pee often, or you may find that peeing hurts. Lower belly pain and blurry or bloody urine are also potential signs.
- Pyelonephritis(kidneys): Fever, shivers, nausea, throwing up, and pain in the upper back or side are all potential symptoms.
- Urethritis(urethra): When you pee, discharge and burning can occur.
How to Prevent UTI Re-Infection
You can prevent having another UTI by following these guidelines:
- As soon as you need to pee, do it; don't hurry and make sure you've absolutely emptied your bladder.
- After using the restroom, wipe from the front to the back.
- Stay hydrated and drink lots of water
- Pick taking a shower than a bath
- Do not use feminine sprays, perfumed douches, and scented bath products; they will irritate your skin even more.
- Before having sex, dont forget to cleanse the area around your genital.
- You should not skip peeing after sex in order to flush out any bacteria that might have reached your urethra
- You should consider switching birth control measures if you're using a diaphragm, condoms that are not lubricated, or spermicidal jelly. Unlubricated condoms and spermicides might hurt your urinary tract, while diaphragms can stimulate bacteria growth. Each of these factors raise the chances of having UTI symptoms.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing in order to keep your genital section dry. Wearing tight jeans and nylon underwear will trap moisture and create an ideal atmosphere for bacteria to thrive.
When to call our Costa del Sol GP for urinary tract infection in adults
Call our Costa del Sol GP for urinary tract infection in adults immediately if:
- you have pain, a burning sensation or other issues when you pee
- if you see blood in your urine
- start peeing frequently and in small quantities.
- have an urgent need to pee
- have back pain, or pain in the part located above your bladder
- your urine becomes blurry or dark, or it has an unpleasant smell
- you get high temperature or shivers.