Urinary Tract Infection

If you experience pain during urination, notice cloudy or dark-colored urine, or find yourself needing to urinate more frequently, you might be dealing with a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are typically treatable, especially when you seek help from AssociatesMD as soon as symptoms begin. Ignoring a UTI can lead to serious and potentially permanent damage, so it’s crucial not to delay. Contact one of our offices in Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Weston, Margate, Dania Beach, or Fort Lauderdale, Florida, or schedule an appointment online.

What is a urinary tract infection?

A UTI can affect various parts of your urinary system, including:

• Kidneys: Responsible for filtering blood and producing urine
• Bladder: Stores urine
• Ureters: Transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• Urethra: Eliminates urine from the body

Typically, UTIs impact the bladder or urethra, the lower parts of the urinary tract. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread and involve the entire urinary system, including the kidneys, potentially leading to severe conditions like kidney failure.

What causes UTIs?

Most UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. The bacteria most commonly responsible is Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is normally found in the digestive tract.

Women are more prone to UTIs because of the shorter distance between the female urethra and bladder, which makes it easier for bacteria to move from one to the other.

How to identify a UTI?

UTIs can cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Frequent and strong urges to urinate
• A burning sensation during urination
• Difficulty urinating in large amounts
• Cloudy or milky urine
• Dark yellow, orange, or reddish urine
• Presence of blood in the urine
• Foul-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain, similar to menstrual cramps
• Pain in the upper back
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting

More severe symptoms, such as upper back pain, fever, and chills, might not be present in mild UTIs but are common in more serious cases, such as kidney infections.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to get tested promptly. The AssociatesMD team offers convenient on-site urine testing with quick results.

How are UTIs treated?

Staying hydrated is important, but antibiotics are necessary to fully clear the infection. Your provider can prescribe effective antibiotics that typically resolve UTI symptoms within a few days. It’s essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if you start feeling better to ensure the infection is completely eradicated and to prevent recurrence.

For frequent UTIs, your specialist might recommend a long-term low-dose antibiotic regimen along with increased water intake and meticulous hygiene practices.

Don’t let your UTI symptoms worsen. Contact AssociatesMD by phone or use the online scheduling system to book an appointment today.