Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections in Women
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Urinary tract infections occur commonly in women, and some face recurrent episodes. It is important to recognize the symptoms of a urinary tract infection so that you can talk to your health care provider and receive the appropriate treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are a number of symptoms a woman may experience. Not all women will have the same symptoms.
Pain
Pain is a frequent complaint among women suffering from urinary tract infections. This pain may occur in the pelvic area. For some it can be very sharp whereas others will have a duller pain.
Pain can also occur when the woman is urinating. This pain has been described as a “burning” feeling.
Urinary habits
The way in which you urinate may change with a urinary tract infection. You may feel like you have to urinate all of the time. You may suddenly feel the need to go very strongly, only when you go you actually have very little urine.
Characteristics of urine
The signs of a urinary tract infection in women will often be seen in the actual urine. The urine may appear cloudy. It may take on a pink or dark tinge as a result of blood in the urine. It may also have a strong, foul smell.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are different parts of the urinary tract that can be affected by an infection, and these can affect the symptoms that a woman will experience. In urethritis, or an infection of the urethra, you may feel more of the painful burning while urinating. An infection of the bladder, or cystitis, is often accompanied by the symptoms of bloody urine, discomfort in the lower part of the stomach, pressure in the pelvic region and urinating more often.
An infection that has spread to the kidneys or acute pyelonephritis is more serious and needs to be immediately evaluated and treated by a health care professional. These symptoms may include a fever that is high, vomiting, nausea, chills, shaking, and pain the flank area (the upper area of your side and back).
A urinary tract infection can be simply diagnosed with an evaluation of urine such as an urinalysis. Appropriate antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection. Most clear up with medication, but left untreated they can progress in severity and even spread to the bloodstream. Be on the lookout for any of the above symptoms.