According to research at the Cleveland Clinic, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are widespread and account for up to 10 million doctor appointments nationwide. UTIs are the second most common infection you can get in your body. When you have one, it can affect some or all of the parts of your urinary system, such as your bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. Even though it hurts, you may put off getting the medical care you need because you think it will resolve on its own. While that may be the case for many people, a UTI can be dangerous.
That’s why Dr. Praveen Bolarum and our team of nurse practitioners at Primary Care Associates of Maryland in Frederick and Clarksburg, Maryland, provide specialized primary care services for men, women, and children. Let’s answer a few questions about UTIs and outline why you should seek medical care quickly when you get one.
A UTI develops from a well-known bacteria called Escherichia coli (E. coli) that resides in your digestive system. When the bacteria get into your bladder, you can get UTI. Women are more prone to them than men because a female’s urethra is not as long as a man’s, making it easier for bacteria to get to the bladder.
Some signs to look for if you think you have a UTI are:
A fever often accompanies these symptoms.
Your UTI may improve with ample fluids like water and cranberry juice, Vitamin C supplementation, urinating after sexual intercourse, and probiotics. In most cases, especially if you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics.
At the first sign of a UTI, it’s critical to get a medical evaluation. While it’s possible to clear on its own, many times, it doesn’t, and procrastinating care puts you at risk for the infection to spread to one or both of your kidneys. This is a dangerous situation because it impairs the normal function of your kidneys, and the damage may be permanent. In severe cases, sepsis, a life-threatening immune response to infection, can develop.
If you show symptoms of a UTI, don’t hesitate to reach out for comprehensive care at the location closest to you. You can call or book online.
