Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be painful and problematic and cause serious complications if they aren’t properly treated. The knowledgeable health professionals of Urgent Care of Soldotna in Soldotna, Alaska, offer effective testing and treatment methods to protect your urinary system and get rid of urinary tract infections. Successfully treat your UTI with top-quality medical care by calling Urgent Care of Soldotna or just walk-in.
UTI Q & A
What is a urinary tract infection?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can happen in any area of your urinary system: kidneys, urethra, bladder, or ureters. Most UTIs involve the bladder and urethra.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
You might not have any symptoms of a UTI. If you do experience symptoms, they might include:
- Cloudy urine
- Pelvic pain in women
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Urine that has a strong odor
- Burning sensation during urination
You might also notice that your urine is red or discolored. This typically means you have blood present in your urine.
What complications can happen with a urinary tract infection?
UTIs can lead to complications. If the infection spreads to your kidneys, there can be certain complications, such as:
- Frequent infections
- Permanent kidney damage
- Sepsis
- Chemicals from your immune system that cause widespread inflammation in your body
- An inflamed urethra (urethritis) and a narrowing of the urethra
UTIs even present an increased risk of premature birth in pregnant women.
What causes a urinary tract infection?
Bacteria can enter and remain in your urinary tract, usually the bladder, when your body’s defense system fails. The bacteria multiply and worsen the infection.
A bladder infection is usually caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) — a bacterium found in the gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, gastrointestinal bacteria can go from the anus to the urethra and cause a urethral infection.
Diaphragms and certain other methods of birth control can increase your risk of getting a UTI. The decline in estrogen levels that occurs in women after menopause can make the urinary tract more prone to infection. Sexual intercourse can also cause a UTI.
Some babies are born with abnormalities of the urinary tract that lead to a back-up of urine in the urethra and an increased chance of a UTI.
If you have a suppressed immune system, this can weaken your body’s defense against infections, making you more likely to contract a UTI.
Urgent Care of Soldotna provides a convenient point of care testing for UTIs, including in-office urine testing and any other necessary blood work or testing.
What are the treatments for UTIs?
Urgent Care of Soldotna offers effective treatments for UTIs, including medications, such as antibiotics, antivirals, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatories. Some of the most common medications to combat a UTI infection include Trimethoprim and Fosfomycin.
At Urgent Care of Soldotna, you also receive helpful information on how to strengthen your immune system, protect your urinary system, and lower your risk of contracting UTIs in the future.
If you have questions or symptoms of a UTI, visit Urgent Care of Soldotna for top-quality testing and treatments to improve your health.