Caring for women of all ages

If you have a painful burning sensation when you urinate, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Even if you’ve had a UTI before, make an appointment at NA OB/GYN in New Albany and Holly Springs, Mississippi. The team of practitioners offers expert diagnosis and treatment for UTIs to relieve your symptoms and restore your health. Call NA OB/GYN or make an appointment online today.

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary tract, including your urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. While anyone can get a UTI, women have a higher risk of the infections because of their anatomy. Not only is the opening of your urethra closer to your anus, but it’s shorter than a man’s, making it easier for bacteria to spread.

Additionally, as you approach menopause and your hormone levels decrease, the tissue of your genitals becomes thin and dry, increasing your risk of infection.

What are the symptoms of UTI?

UTIs cause a variety of painful and disruptive symptoms, including:

• A painful or burning feeling when you urinate
• Strong, persistent urge to urinate, but only releasing a small amount of urine
• Cloudy, pink, red, or brown urine
• Strong smelling urine
• Pelvic or lower back pain

If you notice any of these symptoms, even if you recognize them as a UTI, you should make an appointment at NA OB/GYN. You should always have professional medical treatment for a UTI.

When left untreated, you run the risk of the infection traveling further into your urinary tract, where it can have a more significant impact on your health.

How are UTIs diagnosed?

Your health care provider at NA OB/GYN talks to you about your symptoms and uses a urinalysis test to screen for the bacteria that cause UTIs. If necessary, they may culture bacteria found in your urine to identify the specific infection and the best medication to treat it.

If you suffer from frequent or chronic UTIs, your doctor may use a cystoscope or a digital imaging study such as an MRI or CT scan to examine your urinary tract for abnormalities that increase your risk of UTIs.

How is a UTI treated?

In most cases, your doctor prescribes an antibiotic to help your body fight off your UTI. You should also drink plenty of water to help flush out your system. You may have heard that cranberry juice is good for UTIs, but most juices have so much sugar that you’ll merely feed the bacteria in your body instead of flushing them out.

Call NA OB/GYN or schedule an appointment online today for expert diagnosis and treatment for UTIs.