Kidney Infection Vs Urinary Tract Infection
If left untreated, UTI symptoms can get worse and the problem can progress from a urinary tract infection to a kidney infection and as the infection progresses, so do the symptoms.Aches and pains in the back, fever and chills, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes even confusion are all signs that a UTI has advanced to a kidney infection.1 Your body is saying, Hey! Im serious! I need some attention!
Kidney Function And Kidney Disease
The primary task of the kidneys is to maintain the fluid balance in the body. They accomplish this task through increasing or decreasing the amount of fluid excreted in the urine. Electrolytes like sodium and potassium are an important component of fluid management. When you eat or drink liquids, the fluid eventually makes its way to the kidneys. A complex mechanism of fluid and electrolyte transfers, mediated by hormones and other chemicals, results in the movement of fluid into the kidneys and bladder, from which the urine is excreted. Kidney disease damages these mechanisms.
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Will Uti Go Away On Its Own
Antibiotics are an effective treatment for UTIs. However, the body can often resolve minor, uncomplicated UTIs on its own without the help of antibiotics. By some estimates, 2542 percent of uncomplicated UTI infections clear on their own. In these cases, people can try a range of home remedies to speed up recovery.
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Prevention Methods For Women
In addition to the above prevention methods, women can also:
- Avoid contraceptive methods that contain spermicide
- Avoid using a diaphragm as a birth control method
- Avoid the use of feminine products on genital regions, such as deodorant sprays and douches, which have the potential to irritate the urethra
- Receive vaccination against certain E. coli strains
Signs Of Kidney Disease
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Bloating Or Fullness Distended Stomach Frequent Urge To Urinate And Frequent Urination
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Reviewed on 10/9/2020
Many different conditions can cause the symptoms of bloating, distended stomach, and urinary symptoms. Some conditions like diabetes can increase the risk for infection, which can cause these symptoms. Other common causes can include gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, or giardiasis. Talk to you doctor about any concerning symptoms to help determine the cause.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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Understanding Bladder Infection Signs
It is crucial to always listen to the bladder infection signs that your body is giving you. Leaving an infection untreated is dangerous and could be deadly.
If you feel that you could be experiencing an infection, the best course of action is to contact a healthcare professional as soon as symptoms arise.
For more information on how you can get the healthcare, you need .
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A Back Pain You Cant Ignore
An upper UTI can cause intense back pain as the infection reaches the kidneys. People will get pain in the lower back and groin area. Back pain comes with two other symptoms: high fever and vomiting. Upper infections happen when a lower UTI goes unchecked or does not respond to antibiotics. These infections are serious and, in severe cases, need hospitalization. If not managed well, the infection can spread to the renal artery and blood, which is life-threatening.
What Causes Stomach Pain
Common Causes Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours.
- Gas: Formed in the stomach and intestines as your body breaks down food, this can cause general stomach pain and cramps. This often can be indicated by belching or flatulence.
- Bloating: Related to gas, this occurs when excessive gas builds up in your digestive tract. Your stomach will usually feel full, and you may experience cramps.
- Constipation: This occurs when you are having difficulty making bowel movements. If you are having two or fewer bowel movements a week, constipation is the likely cause. In addition to feeling bloated and nauseous, you may experience cramping and pain in your rectum.
- Indigestion: You typically experience this as an upset stomach, burning, or belly pain after eating.
- Stomach flu: Your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
Severe Pain Causes In serious cases, the stomach pain gets worse. This may be an indication of a more severe condition, such as:
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Other Possible Causes Of Abdominal Pain
Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Also known as IBS irritable bowel syndrome is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine. Common symptoms caused due to IBS are stomach pain or cramping, bloated feeling, diarrhea, constipation, gas etc.
Gastroenteritis-Also known as stomach flu, this is a type of stomach inflammation that involves an inflammation to the intestines. Gastroenteritis can lead to the following symptoms
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Urinary tract infection-Can UTI cause abdominal pain? Yes it can! UTI includes symptoms such as pressure, pain and bloating in the lower abdominal area. Most infections also cause painful urination, and strong smelling urine. UTI is a very common reason for abdominal pain and is mostly caused by bacteria, primarily the E-coli species.
Constipation-Constipation is another reason that could cause your bowels to cramp. Abdominal pain is caused due to increased pressure inside the bowels.
Oh My Aching Bladder: Is It A Uti Or Ic
OH MY ACHING BLADDER: IS IT A UTI OR IC?
One in five women will have at least one urinary tract infection in her lifetime, according to the National Kidney Foundation. And, if youve ever had a urinary tract infection, you are all too familiar with the burning urination and constant feeling of needing to go to the bathroom. But, did you know that some of the symptoms of a UTI are similar or the same as symptoms women experience when they have interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome? How is a woman to know if its a UTI or painful bladder syndrome?
What is a Urinary Tract Infection ?
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract, most commonly affecting the bladder and the urethra . When bacteria gets into the urethra and travels to the bladder, a UTI is often the result. With a UTI, the bladder lining also becomes red, swollen and inflamed.
Common symptoms of a UTI include:
- Urinary urgency or the feeling that you need to urinate often. You may have to run to the bathroom several times per hour only to find you urinate only a few drops.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Abdominal pain, pelvic pressure and/or lower back pain. You may experience lower abdominal discomfort, bloating and/or feel pressure in the lower pelvic area, especially when urinating.
- Blood in the urine. Urine can appear to have a reddish or dark orange tiny, which signifies blood in the urine from the infection.
- Cloudy urine that has an odor
- Fever and/or chills
Treating IC
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Urinary Tract Infections Can Cause Diarrhea
Urinary tract infections could also cause diarrhea in some cases. The exact reason for this is not clear. However, it is thought that inflammation caused in the urinary tract during UTIs could spread to the nearby colon. This is a a very possible hypothesis since the urinary bladder lies very close to the colon.
Inflammatory chemicals released in the bladder during a urinary tract infection could also act on the colon, resulting in faster transit of stools through the colon and rectum. It is also possible for the infection in the bladder to spread to the colon, rectum and other organs in the pelvis. This could result in infectious diarrhea. Infection can also spread to the rectum from the female reproductive tract. However, this is relatively rare.
Things You Can Do Yourself
To help ease pain:
- takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
- rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day, especially during hot weather
It’s important to follow the instructions on the packet so you know how much paracetamol you or your child can take, and how often.
It may also help to avoid having sex until you feel better.
You cannot pass a UTI on to your partner, but sex may be uncomfortable.
Taking cystitis sachets or cranberry products has not been shown to help ease symptoms of UTIs.
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Your Pee Smells Like A Kitty Litter Box
Urine that smells like ammoniaa pungent chemical commonly used in kitty litter and window cleanersis one of the first really noticeable signs of a urinary tract infection, says ob-gyn Sherry Ross, MD, women’s health expert and author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide To Women’s Intimate Health.
Stinky pee can be a side effect of many things, ranging from medical issueslike other types of infectionsto silly things, like eating certain foods. Still, it can be difficult to know what’s causing the down-there smell, so give your doc a call, Dr. Ross says.
One of the main determinants in terms of *what* type of infection you’re dealing with is discharge, says ob-gyn “Dr. Lady Doctor,” Kelly Culwell, MD. “Yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted infections will have vaginal discharge as one of the symptoms, which doesn’t happen with UTIs,” she notes.
How Do I Know Its A Uti
Urinary tract infections can have classic symptoms, non-classic symptoms, and female or male related symptoms. Those symptoms related to both genders are easily recognizable.
- Both genders experience burning sensations while urinating
- Both have frequent needs to urinate, but produce less output
- Both may have discolored urine white, cloudy, pink, red, dark
- Men and women develop a strong odor in the urine output
- Aching pain in the pelvic area
- Incontinence
- Men may experience pain between the rectum and scrotum
- Men may have dribbling, leakage, or a slow stream
Treatment with antibiotics, drinking plenty of fluid, and taking over the counter pain medications will relieve most patients of a UTI. The doctor will test the urine to find which bacteria is the culprit and order the antibiotic accordingly.
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Diagnosis Of A Urinary Tract Infection
Diagnosis of a urinary tract infection usually begins with a consultation based on the symptoms and a physical examination. It is usual for a doctor to also ask about sexual history, medical history and any instances of previous UTIs.
A sample of urine might be requested in order to confirm a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection. Dipstick analysis may be done first to indicate the presence of bacteria in the urine. This quick test entails dipping a small chemical strip into a urine sample, then looking for certain color changes on the strip which may indicate abnormal levels of blood, sugar or bacteria in the urine. Looking at the urine sample under a microscope can usually confirm the diagnosis, as well as which bacteria has caused the infection.
If an upper urinary tract infection is suspected, a doctor may also recommend blood tests in order to check the infection hasnââ¬â¢t spread to the bloodstream.
People suffering from recurring or chronic urinary tract infections may be given additional tests to determine if there are any obstructions or abnormalities causing the repeat of the condition. Such tests can include:
- An ultrasound scan of the bladder and kidneys, which uses painless soundwaves to generate an image of the urinary tract
- A CT scan or MRI scan for a more detailed analysis of the urinary tract
- A cystoscopy, in which a small camera is inserted through the urethra to see inside the urethra and bladder
How Are Utis Diagnosed
To diagnose a UTI, health care providers ask questions about what’s going on, do an exam, and take a sample of pee for testing.
How a sample is taken depends on a child’s age. Older kids might simply need to pee into a sterile cup. For younger children in diapers, a catheter is usually preferred. This is when a thin tube is inserted into the urethra up to the bladder to get a “clean” urine sample.
The sample may be used for a urinalysis or a urine culture . Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment.
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Signs Of A Kidney Infection
What does a kidney infection feel like? According to the NIDDK, the most common kidney infections symptoms are:
Nausea
Vomiting
But depending on a persons age, they may not experience all of these kidney infection symptoms. Children younger than two may only experience high fever as a sign of kidney infections, the NIDDK says, and people older than 65 might only present with cognitive issues, like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.
Diarrhea Can Cause Urinary Tract Infections
Both infectious and non-infectious types of diarrhea can lead to urinary tract infections. The stool in diarrhea has a watery consistency. During defecation, this bacteria-laden watery stool can come in contact with the urethra, leading to entry of bacterial pathogens into the lower urinary tract. Urinary tract infections are relatively more common in females due to the anatomical differences between the male and female urethra.
The female urethra is shorter than the male urethra. This results in a relatively shorter distance of the urethra from the anal opening in females. Even normal residents of the intestinal flora can cause urinary tract infections when they gain access to the urethra. The infection rises up the urinary tract and is known as an ascending UTI.
Read more on E.coli infection.
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When Does Excessive Gas Form In The Body
Have you been feeling a bloated sensation in your body and wondering why you have so much gas building up inside it? There are reasons for excessive gas which can cause severe discomfort in the body, if not released in the same proportion as it is produced.
Excessive gas can result from:
- In the upper intestinal tract due to swallowing air in excess while eating, overeating, chewing gum and smoking.
- In the lower intestinal tract due to overconsumption of certain foods, lack of proper digestion, or a fall in the normal count of bacteria
Disorders such as:
- Peptic ulcer
- Gastroparesis
Eating foods such as beans, lentils, bran, dairy products, fructose, carbonated beverages, cabbage, cauliflower, sprouts, etc. can also lead to gas buildup.
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Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are most often caused by bacteria spreading from the anal or genital region and entering the urinary tract. Because of this, there are a number of preventative methods that can minimize the risk of experiencing a UTI:
- Regular urination
- Emptying the bladder after sexual intercourse
- Drinking lots of water, ideally at least 1.5 liters a day. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can irritate the bladder
- Wiping from front to back after using the toilet to avoid spreading bacteria from the anal region
- Maintaining good personal hygiene and keeping the genital area clean and dry
- Taking showers instead of baths
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Tips To Avoid Getting A Uti Or Repeated Uti
- Try to fully empty your bladder as soon as you feel the need
- Always wipe front to back
- Drink water, a lot of water
- Cranberry juice has been reported to help
- Do not use feminine hygiene products
- Always empty your bladder and clean your genitals after sex
- Keep your genitals dry and airy by wearing cotton underwear, and avoiding tight clothes
There are numerous ways to get a UTI, and you need treatment if you are experiencing UTI symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI or any other lower abdominal problem, reach out to our team today. Contact BASS Urgent Care at 925.350.4249
