Urinary Tract Infection Specialist

Spring Valley Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine located in Washington, DC & Bethesda, MD

If you have burning during urination or detect an off odor, it could be a urinary tract infection, or UTI. The team at Spring Valley Internal Medicine in Washington, DC, and Bethesda, Maryland, diagnoses and treats this uncomfortable condition to help prevent complications such as a kidney infection. If you have symptoms that suggest a UTI, call the nearest location or schedule using the online tool.

Urinary Tract Infection Q & A

What is a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection is when any part of your urinary tract is infected with bacteria. Women are more likely than men to develop a UTI because they have a shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to reach the bladder more readily.

How do I know if I have a urinary tract infection?

If you experience pain during urination, it’s a pretty certain sign that you have a UTI. Men and women with a UTI can also experience:

An off-odor to their urine
Incontinence
Cola-colored, pink, or red-tinged urine
Frequent urination of small amounts
Cloudy looking urine

Women may also experience pelvic pain. The infection can also cause fever, fatigue, and weakness.

How did I get a urinary tract infection?

The bacteria E. coli is what usually causes a urinary tract infection. You’re at greater risk of developing a UTI if you:

Don’t urinate after sexual activity
Use condoms
Have kidney stones
Are pregnant
Have diabetes

Women who have gone through menopause also are at greater risk of urinary tract infections. The decrease in estrogen causes changes in your urinary tract that make you vulnerable to bacterial infections.

Will a urinary tract infection go away on its own?

A UTI that’s untreated can spread to nearby organs and cause serious infections in your kidneys. In severe cases, a UTI can even cause infertility if the bacteria spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes.

Men who have a UTI that spreads to the prostate gland can also experience serious complications that include infertility.

What is the treatment for a urinary tract infection?

Make an appointment at Spring Valley Internal Medicine as soon as you think you have a urinary tract infection. Early intervention means less pain, fewer complications, and easy treatment.

Your provider tests your urine for infection and most likely prescribes antibiotics to eradicate the bacterial infection. You should start to feel better within a day or two, but take the entire course to make sure the infection doesn’t return.

If you think you have a urinary tract infection, make an appointment at Spring Valley Internal Medicine today. Use the online scheduler or call the most convenient location.

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