Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, deregulate urination frequency, and cause pain and discomfort. At Care Now Medical Group in North Hollywood, California, Hayk Papukhyan, MD, Alina Ter-Grigorian, NP, and the team specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing UTIs and craft individualized treatment plans. If you think you have a UTI, visit the urgent care center for prompt treatment. Or you can call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is a urinary tract infection?

Urinary tract infections, called UTIs, affect the lower urinary tract and can affect any or all parts of your urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. 

Women are more likely to get a UTI because of the intricate shape of their urinary system, which enables bacteria to move quickly up the urethra — the part of the urinary system that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body. Men have a much longer urethra than women, so they’re less prone to UTIs. 

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

Although UTIs don’t always exhibit symptoms, you might experience any of the following if you’re suffering from a UTI: 

• Urge to urinate with a small amount of urine discharge
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Red, bright pink, cola-colored urine (this means your urine contains blood)
• Cloudy urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain in women

These symptoms vary depending on the severity of the UTI and which part of the urinary system is infected. If you experience any of these symptoms, seeking treatment early with urgent care at Care Now Medical Group helps prevent complications.

Kidney infections

Kidney infections often lead to serious health complications and can cause high fever, shaking, and chills, as well as nausea, vomiting, and upper back and side pain. 

Bladder infections

Bladder infections, or cystitis, occur when there is an inflammation of the bladder. In most cases, cystitis leads to pelvic pressure, lower abdominal pain, or pain and bloody urine. 

Urethra infections

Also known as urethritis, urethral infections stem from irritation or inflammation in the tube that carries urine away from the bladder to outside the body. They lead to burning sensations while urinating and urethral discharge. 

What are the risks of a UTI?

Care Now Medical Group treats UTIs with antibiotics as soon as possible. With urgent care, you don’t need an appointment to get UTI treatment quickly. In almost all cases, the treatment you receive through the clinic’s urgent care is effective, and the UTI goes away. Untreated UTIs may produce one or more of the following symptoms: 

• Limited urinary flow
• Urethral narrowing
• Permanent kidney damage
• Recurring infections
• Sepsis

How do you prevent UTIs?

You can attempt to avoid UTIs by staying hydrated, especially by drinking water, to dilute the urine and urinate more often. Each trip to the bathroom flushes away bacteria. 

Women can also do the following to reduce their chances of contracting a UTI:  

• Wipe meticulously after urination and bowel movements
• Empty the bladder after intercourse
• Avoid deodorant sprays
• Take showers instead of bubble baths
• Opt for safe, non-bacterial growth-inducing birth control

Don’t wait to treat a UTI. Call Care Now Medical Group or request an appointment online today.