Published on Nov 20, 2024 | 10:10 AM
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections, affecting millions of people each year. When a UTI strikes, the symptoms can be both uncomfortable and disruptive, and without prompt treatment, they can quickly worsen.
Whether you’re experiencing a UTI for the first time or you’re prone to frequent infections, knowing how to recognize and address a UTI early is key to a fast and smooth recovery. This guide covers effective steps to treat a UTI quickly and prevent it from coming back.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria enter and infect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, ureters, or urethra. Most UTIs affect the lower urinary tract—the bladder and urethra—but in severe cases, infections can reach the kidneys and cause more serious complications. UTIs are typically caused by bacteria, with Escherichia coli (E. coli), which commonly lives in the digestive tract, being the most common culprit.
While UTIs are more common in women due to the shorter length of the female urethra, men, children, and older adults can also experience UTIs. Risk factors like poor hygiene, dehydration, certain sexual practices, or simply holding in urine too long can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI.
UTI symptoms can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain, and they often worsen if left untreated. Recognizing these symptoms early can help you act quickly and prevent the infection from spreading.
Common symptoms of a UTI include:1
When you feel a UTI coming on, acting quickly is the best way to shorten the infection’s duration and prevent it from getting worse.
Here are the essential steps to tackle a UTI as efficiently as possible:1
The first and most crucial step to quickly treating a UTI is to consult a healthcare provider. UTIs typically require antibiotics to fully clear the infection, and starting treatment early can prevent it from spreading to your kidneys.
Drinking lots of water helps flush out the urinary tract, which can speed up recovery. Water dilutes your urine, making it harder for bacteria to thrive, and increases the frequency of urination, which helps eliminate bacteria from your body. Aim to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day when you’re experiencing UTI symptoms.
Resist the urge to hold in urine, as it can allow bacteria to multiply in the bladder. Frequent urination helps to flush bacteria out of the urinary tract, reducing their ability to colonize and cause further discomfort. Try to empty your bladder as soon as you feel the urge.
Certain foods and drinks can aggravate the bladder, making symptoms more uncomfortable. While treating a UTI, try to avoid coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic foods, as these can irritate the urinary tract. Sticking to a bland diet and avoiding irritants can make the recovery process easier on your body.
Good hygiene is key in both treating a UTI and preventing UTIs in the future. Be sure to wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anal area from entering the urinary tract. Additionally, avoid harsh soaps and douches, which can disrupt the natural bacteria balance in the body.
If you’re prescribed antibiotics, it’s essential to take the full course, even if you start feeling better. Stopping antibiotics early can lead to a resurgence of the infection, potentially making it harder to treat and increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions closely for the best results.
Delaying treatment for a urinary tract infection (UTI) can lead to significant health complications and prolong recovery. While mild UTIs might seem manageable, untreated infections can rapidly spread, posing serious risks to other parts of the urinary tract. Beyond the discomfort of common symptoms, untreated UTIs can lead to painful, recurrent infections and even permanent damage. Here are some of the potential complications of leaving a UTI untreated:
With prompt antibiotic treatment, most UTIs clear up within 3-7 days, with symptom relief often beginning within a day or two. Without antibiotics, a UTI can persist for weeks, and in some cases, it may worsen and spread, leading to more serious complications.1
If you experience increased pain, fever, chills, or back pain, your UTI may be worsening or spreading to your kidneys. Seek medical attention if symptoms intensify despite treatment.1
Yes, factors like gender, age, sexual activity, and certain health conditions can increase susceptibility to UTIs. Women, for instance, are more likely to develop UTIs due to the shorter length of the urethra.1
While cranberry juice may help reduce bacteria's ability to adhere to the urinary tract, drinking cranberry juice is not a substitute for antibiotics. For effective treatment, see a healthcare provider to prescribe the appropriate medication.
If you're dealing with a UTI, fast, discreet, and effective treatment is just a few clicks away with Call-On-Doc. Skip the wait and hassle of appointments—our online healthcare service lets you get prescription antibiotics for UTIs quickly and conveniently.
With options like amoxicillin-clavulanate, nitrofurantoin, cefuroxime, and ciprofloxacin, we ensure you have access to the right medication for fast UTI relief. Prescriptions are ready within 15 minutes, so you can start your treatment as soon as possible.
Don’t wait—get your online UTI treatment now and start feeling better sooner with Call-On-Doc.
Sources:
English graduate and Call-On-Doc’s medical resource guide, Wayne C. Hahne is an experienced and passionate medical education content expert. Through diligent research, provider interviews and utilizing the industry's leading resources for wellness information, it is Mr. Hahne’s personal mission to educate the general public on medical conditions with in-depth and easy-to-understand written guides.
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