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By Jeffrey Peebles, M.D. – Southlake MedicalbrDirector, CompletebrCare
A urinary tract infection,bralso referred to as a bladder infection, is a painful – and, unfortunately – common issue. These are just a fewbrof the signs you may have one, as well as information on when you will need tobrget to your nearest Complete Care emergency medical center.
Causes and Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection
The most common cause of abrurinary tract infection is E. coli, a form of bacteria that can often enter abrwoman's bladder after having sex. The urinary tract of a pregnant womanbrtypically undergoes significant changes, putting her at a higher risk of anbrinfection.
Even though a urinary tractbrinfection can be painful, it will typically not cause any permanent problems asbrlong as it is properly treated. If a man develops this problem, however, itbrcould be an indication of an underlying condition such as a urinary tractbrblockage.
If you feel a burning painbrwhen you urinate, feel like you need to urinate more frequently than normal, orbryou can only pass a small amount of urine, then you may be developing anbrinfection. Other signs are foul smelling, cloudy or bloody urine.
Getting Help
A urinary tract infectionbrwill often clear up with home treatment, such as drinking a great deal of waterbrand emptying the bladder each time you urinate. Most patients will get betterbron their own. But if you have an infection accompanied by fever, chills, nauseabror vomiting, or you notice pain below the rib cage and above the waist, youbrneed to get medical help as soon as you can. Urinary tract infections can, in some instances, bebra sign of a stone in the tract, a prostate infection or possibly kidneybrdisease.
You should also see a doctorbrif you have minor symptoms that do not clear up in a day or two, have diabetes,bror your symptoms return after temporarily improving. It will be particularlybrimportant for you to see a doctor if you are pregnant or 65 years of age orbrolder.
The best advice for dealingbrwith this type of problem is to pay close attention to how you feel and whatbrtype of symptoms you experience. Do not hesitate to get help if those symptomsbrworsen, because that likely means you will need more extensive treatment.
If you or someone in your home develops a urinarybrtract infection or you ever experience any kind of medical emergency, get inbrtouch with the experts at Complete Care. Contact us online to learnbrmore.
Dr. Jeffrey Peebles, M.D. has an extensive amount ofbrexperience in delivering advanced emergency care. He is board certified withbrthe American Board of Emergency Medicine, and a member of the American Collegebrof Emergency Physicians/Texas College of Emergency Physicians. Dr. Peebles isbrcommitted to providing timely, affordable and high-quality medical care to thebrSouthlake community.