When To Seek Medical Advice
You may find your UTI symptoms are mild and pass within a few days. However, you should see your GP if you find your symptoms very uncomfortable or if they last for more than five days.
Also see your GP if you have a UTI and:
- you develop a high temperature
- your symptoms suddenly get worse
- you are pregnant
- you have diabetes
What Causes A Uti
A UTI is a microbial infection, which means it is caused by microbes, including, bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Though bacterial pathogens, such as Escherichia coli or E. coli. are the main cause over 85% , the other microbes have also contributed to UTI cases.
E. coli. is a bacteria found in the intestine of a person and is naturally present in faecal matter. Though most of the bacteria are harmless, some may be pathogenic.
The urinary system flushes out any E. coli., however, at times it can enter into the urethra via trace amounts of faecal matter. Once they reach the lower tract , the bacteria begin to multiply.
There are several risk factors associated with an increased probability of getting a UTI, such as:
Diabetes
How To Sleep With Uti Discomfort: The Eight Steps That Will Help You Sleep
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, refers to any infection that happens within the urinary system and most often requires treatment with antibiotics. It can cause pain and discomfort in the abdomen, painful urination, and can even result in blood appearing in urine. It is important to have a UTI diagnosed so you can begin treatment as soon as possible.
For many, its hard to sleep with UTI discomfort, which is frustrating and can make everything so much worse. Thats where we can help.
Here, well show you exactly how to sleep with UTI discomfort, as well as share with you techniques to treat and prevent UTI discomfort in the future.
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Uti Tests And Diagnosis
If you suspect that you have a urinary tract infection, go to the doctor. You’ll give a urine sample to test for UTI-causing bacteria.
If you get frequent UTIs and your doctor suspects a problem in your urinary tract, they might take a closer look with an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. They might also use a long, flexible tube called a cystoscope to look inside your urethra and bladder.
How To Get Rid Of A Uti In 24 Hours
Are you experiencing painful urination and a constant need to run to the bathroom? If so, then youre already wondering how to get rid of a UTI in 24 hours. The seven home remedies in this article can help.
If youre still experiencing symptoms after 24 hours, then you need antibiotics. To get your hands on them, youll need to visit the doctor.
The doctors at Oxford Urgent Care will provide you with prompt treatment and relief. Check out our contact information and visit our office as soon as possible to remedy your UTI.
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How Can I Relieve Uti Pain At Night
Above we had discussed some common symptoms and how the pain level escalated in the night. Below well tell you some practical advice on how to relieve UTI pain at night. Also Read here about home remedies for UTIs.
Monitor Your Fluid Intake: Staying hydrated is the golden rule to removing urinary infection bacteria from your body. So to minimize UTI pain at night, pay attention to your liquid intake during the day. Dont consume any alcoholic, citric, or caffeinated drinks . When bedtime approaches, reduce your fluid intake.
Relax Your Sleep Position: Certain sleeping positions directly or indirectly put pressure on your pelvic area and would worsen the UTI pain. Choose the sleeping position you feel relaxes the muscles around your lower body.
Try Double Voiding: This technique includes scheduled timeframes of sitting on the toilet and trying to urinate so that you empty your bladder completely. A study revealed that double voiding may lessen the risk of urinary infection.
Opt for an Incontinence Pad: Since UTIs may result in frequent urine urges, incontinence may occur which means you may unknowingly pass urine. So use this pad so that no accidents occur while you are asleep.
Avoid Food And Beverages That May Irritate The Bladder
The most common bladder irritants are alcohol, caffeinated drinks, carbonated beverages, and spicy dishes.
Both caffeine and alcohol have been found to increase bladder spasming, which can make UTI pain worse. And when men and women increased their intake of coffee or soda, they had higher chances of getting UTI symptoms.
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Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections
UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.
The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body .
Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.
Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:
- having sex
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do not use scented soap
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do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go
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do not rush when going for a pee try to fully empty your bladder
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do not wear tight, synthetic underwear, such as nylon
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do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks, as they may irritate your bladder
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do not have lots of sugary food or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to grow
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do not use condoms or diaphragms with spermicidal lube on them try non-spermicidal lube or a different type of contraception
What Are Symptoms Of A Uti
For patients, the first question is when to see a doctor after feeling the initial symptoms. Typically, these symptoms are burning pain with urination, urgency and frequency of urination, and pain above the pubic bone.
Our bodies sometimes can clear these infections on their own, said Elodi Joy Dielubanza, MD, a urologist in Brigham and Womens Hospitals Division of Urology.
But if symptoms do not get better within a couple of days, contact a doctor. Antibiotics may relieve symptoms shortly after you begin taking them.
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When To See Your Doctor
See your doctor right away if you have signs of a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection is generally not a medical emergency — but some people have a higher risk for complications. This includes pregnant women, the elderly, and men, as well as people with diabetes, kidney problems, or a weakened immune system.
How To Prevent A Uti
Since UTIs are caused by unhealthy bacteria entering the urethra, the best way to prevent UTIs is to stop it from entering the urethra. The Cleveland Clinic has a long list of strategies to prevent UTIs. Here are a few of their key recommendations:
- After bowel movements, wipe from front to back to reduce the chance of dragging bacteria from the anus to the urethra.
- Urinate frequently to flush bacteria out of the bladder.
- Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day.
- Urinate immediately before and after sex. This may help flush out bacteria that may have been introduced during intercourse.
- Dont use douches.
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How Common Is Nocturia
Nocturia is quite common among both men and women. Studies and surveys have found that 69% of men and 76% of women over age 40 report getting up to go to the bathroom at least once per night. About one-third of adults over age 30 make two or more nightly bathroom trips.
Nocturia can affect younger people, but it becomes more common with age, especially in older men. It is estimated that nearly 50% of men in their seventies have to wake up at least twice per night to urinate. Overall, nocturia may affect up to 80% of elderly people.
Rates of nocturia have been found to be higher in people who are black and Hispanic than in white people even when controlling for gender and age. The reason for this disparity is not well understood.
Nocturia frequently occurs during pregnancy but usually goes away within three months after giving birth.
When Should You Call Your Doctor
An immediate visit to a physician is warranted if you have a fever, flank pain, flu-like symptoms, or four-smelling vaginal discharge. These may be signs that your body may be fighting more than an uncomplicated UTI. Contrary to a common assumption among patients, the smell or appearance of urine by itself is not a reliable measure of infection, said Dr. Dielubanza.
Here she addresses some other common myths and truths about UTIs.
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What May Cause A Uti After Sex
The urethra is the tube through which urine exits the body from the bladder. In women, this tube is short, making it quicker and easier for bacteria to enter the opening and infiltrate the bladder.
The bacteria that cause a UTI live in the area around the anus, Dr. Yavagal says. Sex can shift bacteria toward the front. From there, its just a short hop up the urethra into the bladder, where it can multiply and cause a UTI.
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Does Frequent Urination Disrupt Sleep
Multiple research studies, including a Sleep in America Poll by the National Sleep Foundation, have consistently found that nocturia is one of the most commonly reported causes of sleep disruptions. Especially in older adults, it is frequently listed as a cause of poor sleep and insomnia.
Many people, perhaps over 40%, have trouble quickly getting back to bed, which can mean reduced sleep time and more fragmented, lower-quality sleep. Not surprisingly, nocturia is commonly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness which can translate to impaired physical and mention function, irritability, and a higher risk of accidents.
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Is There Any Medication That Will Help With Uti Pain At Night
If you have any of the symptoms listed above, discuss them with your doctor. UTI treatment Trimethoprim is a common antibiotic medication that efficiently destroys the microbes causing the infection. With a standard dosage of 2 tablets for 3 consecutive days, this antibiotic course can help prevent any further UTI-related pain or discomfort. Nitrofurantoin can also be prescribed to treat UTIs please read here to find which is better at treating a UTI. You can avail of and order the medication online easily via e-Surgery.
Empty Your Bladder Before Bed
A UTI makes it more difficult for you to empty your bladder completely, leading to frustration and frequent bathroom trips during the night. To empty your bladder as much as possible, you can try a technique called double voiding. To carry this out, sit on the toilet right before you go to bed and empty your bladder as much as you can. Before feeling frustrated or bored, stay on the toilet for another few minutes until youre completely done. Once you have finished, try again later on perhaps on your next scheduled bathroom break, which we will cover next.
Another useful tip is to adjust your posture. As youre sitting on the toilet, lean forward slightly and rest your hands on your thighs or knees, or perhaps cup your hands together just over your knees. Sitting in this particular position can help you empty your bladder quicker.
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Myth: Hygiene Habits And Clothing Fit Contribute To Utis
You may have heard that certain hygiene practices are risk factors for UTIs, particularly for women. But UTIs are not caused by how you wipe in the bathroom, by tampon use or by failing to empty your bladder after sexual intercourse. Theyre also not caused by wearing tight clothes.
A lot of women express concern about these, said Dr. Dielubanza. But studies have shown there is no association between these practices and UTIs.
Ways To Treat A Uti At Home
Whilst being on the lookout for any ‘red flag’ symptoms including back pain, blood in your urine or any extreme or persistent pain, generally, it is becoming deemed more appropriate and achievable to manage UTIs from home without the need for medical interventions. Here I run through 6 ways you can treat a UTI from home:
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Myths And Truths About Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections in women.
A UTI can occur anywhere along the urinary tract, including in the kidneys and along the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder. More commonly, though, infections involve the lower urinary tract: the bladder and the urethra tube that empties urine .
How To Deal With Incontinence At Home
Anti-incontinence medications can put your bladder under control and minimize the urge to visit the bathroom. However, those pills are available on a prescription basis only. How do you deal with Incontinence when youre yet to get an appointment with your physician?
Here are a few practical steps to go about it:
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What Else Causes Feeling Tired And Unwell
Not surprisingly, because the immune system is involved, any infection in the body bacteria, viral, or fungal can lead to fatigue. Its not uncommon to feel the need to rest and sleep when fighting off some other communicable ailment. In fact, fatigue is a well recognized symptom of the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, and even more disturbing diseases.
Sleeping Position With Uti
The pressure of lying flat on your back puts added pressure on the bladder and urinary tract, which can be uncomfortable when infected.
When you sleep, you should try to sleep on your side in the fetal position. This will help relax your pelvic muscles and will keep the weight of your body off of the bladder.
You can also widen your legs if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, but be careful not to put too much pressure on the bladder as you do this.
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A Pharmacist Can Help With Utis
You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for a UTI. A pharmacist can:
- offer advice on things that can help you get better
- suggest the best painkiller to take
- tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms
Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service and can prescribe antibiotics if they’re needed.
Truth: Being Female Is The Biggest Risk Factor For Utis
UTIs generally are caused by bacteria that live in the colon, especially the rectum. The short length of the female urethra places its opening close to bacterial reservoirs , making women more vulnerable to infection.
In truth, being female is simply the strongest risk factor for UTIs, says Dr. Dielubanza.
Another trigger particular to women is hormonal change with age. Until menopause, vaginal flora includes protective bacteria. But when estrogen drops during menopause, the pH of the vagina changes, and the good flora cannot thrive there as easily. Without these good bacteria, the bad bacteria can more easily flourish in postmenopausal women.
Men are not immune to UTIs, but they are less likely to have them. This is because their longer urethras present a challenge to bacteria entry. However, as men age and begin to empty their bladders less efficiently due to prostate enlargement, urinary tract infections can become more common.
A trigger for UTIs in both men and women is use of any medical instrument near the urethra, including a catheter to drain urine.
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Does A Uti Get Worse Before It Gets Better
Sometimes, it will feel like it is getting worse. It can take several days for the antibiotics to take effect and help relieve symptoms.
While you shouldnt treat a UTI yourself, you can help prevent it or reduce the symptoms. As you take the medications your doctor recommends, drink a lot of water and use the bathroom frequently. Connect with your doctor with worsening symptoms and any questions.
Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back
If your UTI comes back after treatment, you may have a urine test and be prescribed different antibiotics.
Your doctor or nurse will also offer advice on how to prevent UTIs.
If you keep getting UTIs and regularly need treatment, a GP may give you a repeat prescription for antibiotics.
If you have been through the menopause, you may be offered a vaginal cream containing oestrogen.
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Adopt Regular Toilet Breaks
Even if you never wake up in the middle of the night to pee, suffering a UTI can change that rapidly. With the frequent sensation to urinate, getting up several times during the night to visit the bathroom may be a real possibility.
So why not just schedule your own time? Your smartphone alarm can be set every 2 hours or so between bedtime and the regular wake up time.
With pre-determined bathroom breaks set in stone by you, the feeling of going to bed relaxed about not soiling yourself can result in superior nighttime rest.
Take The Full Course Of Prescribed Antibiotics
Doctors usually prescribe some sort of antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infections. In most cases, patients begin experiencing relief from physical symptoms such as burning sensations within 2-4 days of taking the antibiotics.
Most people get tempted at this point to ditch the remaining prescription and move on with their normal lives.
However, that is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when taking antibiotics for any medical condition. Not only will this prevent the infection from clearing up but it will most likely strengthen the bacteria in your urinary tract.
This can lead to a severe risk of repeat infections, the resistance of different strains of antibiotics, and considerable damage to your urinary system.
Remember, physicians do not decide the number of days and the dosage necessary to cure the infection by guesswork. They rely on general guidelines determined after extensive studies regarding each type of bacterial infection.
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