A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a common illness and it can affect any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, urethra, bladder or ureters. Many people complain about the pain that accompanies a urinary tract infection. However, a urinary tract infection is fairly easy to treat, if detected early before any serious damage is done. It is important to find out if you actually have a UTI, so you can get the proper treatment for it. Fortunately, there are a few ways to identify a urinary tract infection.
Instructions
1. Verify whether or not you have pain or a burning sensation. Many people who have a urinary tract infection suffer from extreme pain and burning when urinating. You may also feel discomfort in your lower abdomen, pelvic area, bladder or urethra. If you identify any pain in your lower back or side below the ribs, then the infection may have spread to the kidneys.
2. Determine if your urine looks or smells differently. Quite often a urinary tract infection causes your urine to have a strong, unpleasant odor and your urine may also look cloudy. So be sure to pay attention to the way your urine looks and smells.
3. Check to see if there is any blood in your urine. The amount of blood may vary depending on the person and the severity of the infection, but this is a common sign of a urinary tract infection.
4. Confirm the amount of urine that you are passing. Sometimes a urinary tract infection makes it difficult to pass a regular amount of urine and you may find yourself producing smaller amounts of urine instead.
5. Decide if you are going to the bathroom more frequently. Keep track of the number of times you urinate and determine if you are urinating more often than you normally do. You may also have a strong urge to urinate, even though nothing comes out.
6. Pay attention to the way you are feeling. A urinary tract infection may make you feel generally bad all over. You may even feel tired, drained and shaky.
7. Call your doctor for an appointment. If you identify any of the symptoms listed in the above steps, it is important to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can give you a urinalysis and confirm that you actually have a urinary tract infection. He can also prescribe you the proper antibiotics to cure your infection.
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