UTIs – Signs and Symptoms You May Have One

Urinary Tract Infections, or UTIs for short, are a common condition that can affect both men and women. UTIs can reduce your quality of life and if left untreated, could lead to serious complications. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to treat a urinary tract infection. 

While anyone can contract a urinary tract infection, they are more common for women than men. This is due to anatomy differences in the urinary tract between men and women. It’s estimated that roughly 1 in 2 women will suffer a UTI at some point in their lifetime, while only 1 in 10 men will contract an infection. A UTI can be the result of an infection in any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder, urethra, and uterus.

Let’s take a look at some common symptoms so you know what to keep an eye out for. 

Common UTI Symptoms to Watch For

• A burning feeling while using the restroom.
• A constant and intense urge to urinate, accompanied by little to no urine.
• Cloudy or dark urine.
• Blood in the urine.
• Urine that exhibits a strange or exceptionally foul smell.
• Pain or pressure in your lower abdomen.

In addition, you may suffer a fever or chills. If this occurs, the infection has likely reached your kidneys, which can be quite serious. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.

Different Types of Urinary Tract Infections

As we already mentioned, UTIs can occur at various parts of your entire urinary tract, or even all throughout the tract. Infections at different points in your urinary tract have different names and often exhibit different symptoms. Let’s take a look at each type.

• Cystitis- This infection occurs in your bladder. Cloudy or bloody urine is a common symptom. You may also experience pain when you urinate. Lower stomach pain is also common.
• Urethritis- As the name implies, this infection occurs in your urethra. This can result in a discharge when you urinate and is commonly accompanied by a burning sensation.
• Pyelonephritis- Refers to a UTI in your kidneys, with chills and fever as a common symptom. Vomiting and pain in your upper back or side are also additional symptoms. 
• Vaginitis- A vaginal UTI is often accompanied by vaginal discharges, pain during sex, and light bleeding or spotting.

Treating a UTI

A urinary tract infection is a serious condition that can affect your health, comfort and quality of life. In severe cases, the infection could spread and lead to sepsis, an infection of the blood. Sepsis is an extremely serious disease which is difficult to treat, and can often times lead to death. 

Fortunately, you can easily treat a urinary tract infection. With the right medications and expert advice from a urologist, you may be able to clear up your condition within 2 or 3 days. Dr. David Shusterman is among the finest urologists in New York and has helped countless patients treat their UTIs. So if you believe you’re suffering from a UTI, get in touch with New York Medicine Doctors immediately, or call 212-991-9991 to book an appointment.