If you’re experiencing pain and burning when you pee, it might be time to seek treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are caused by bacteria making its way to your bladder, and can affect both men and women. However, women are at a higher risk for UTIs than men due to their shorter urethras. While many UTI symptoms are obvious, some can be more subtle. If you’re experiencing any of these 5 symptoms, don’t hesitate to see your doctor.
1.You frequently feel the urge to go
You may have a UTI if you frequently feel the urge to urinate, even if you don’t actually go.
There are two types of reasons why you might feel like you always have to pee. Feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder is one. This happens when there is swelling in the urethra or when the bladder is weak. The second is that you’re not emptying your bladder all the way and this is a sign of a UTI.
It’s definitely uncomfortable and a sign that you may need to seek treatment. Untreated UTIs can cause serious health problems, so if you think you might have one, see a doctor right away.
2. Your urine smells strange
A strong or strange odor from your urine may be a sign of a UTI.
If you’re noticing a change in the smell of your urine, it could be a sign that you have a UTI. Urine that smells sweet, ammonia-like, or fishy can indicate an infection. The bacteria present in the urinary tract is often the cause of this odor. However, it’s important to note that these changes in odor can also be a sign of something more serious.
3. You have flu-like symptoms
Some lesser-known symptoms of a UTI are fever, chills, and aches.
UTIs don’t have to be debilitating – here are some of the lesser-known symptoms to look out for if you think you might have one:
A fever can be caused by any type of infection, while pain in the bladder area can be caused by inflammation. If the infection causes your abdominal muscles to contract, this can lead to stomach pain.
These symptoms might not automatically indicate a UTI, but it’s worth discussing with your doctor just in case. An untreated UTI can spread to one or more kidneys, which can cause permanent damage to kidney function.
4. Your urine is bloody or cloudy
If your urine is cloudy or has blood in it, this could indicate an infection.
You should know what your urine looks like on a regular basis, so you will know if there is a change. Healthy and hydrated people have urine that is either colorless or light straw and honey colored. If you don’t drink enough fluids, your urine will be more concentrated and turn a darker yellow or amber color. If your urine is cloudy or milky, it might mean you have an infection. Blood in your urine can make it look red, pink, or brown like cola.
5. You have no symptoms at all
A urinary tract infection may have no symptoms at all, but can be treated with antibiotics.
The subtlest sign that you may have a urinary tract infection is when there’s no obvious symptoms. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria and it can only be identified by testing your urine for bacteria. This type of infection needs treatment in some cases such as if a person is pregnant or about to undergo surgery near their urethra. Otherwise they will resolve on their own without any intervention from us! If you do need treatment for a UTI, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Summary:
•Approximately 12 percent of men and 60 percent of women will suffer from a UTI at some point in their lifetime.
• UTIs occur when bacteria finds its way to your bladder. Women are at higher risk for UTIs than men because women have shorter urethras.
• Symptoms of a UTI can include: a frequent urge to urinate, strange-smelling urine, flu-like symptoms, cloudy or milky urine, and no symptoms at all.
• If you think you may have a UTI, consult your physician right away as an untreated UTI can spread to one or more kidneys and cause permanent damage.