What Are The Common Types of UTIs?

Urinary tracts are common infections that affect millions of people every year, but they are potentially serious if they are left untreated. Because of the anatomical differences between males and females, women are generally more susceptible to them. If you are prone to frequent UTIs, low cost health care in Las Vegas can help you come up with a prevention plan and provide you with effective treatment at the first signs of an infection.

“Healthy” urine contains a mixture of salts, fluids and waste products. It should be bacteria, fungi and virus free when it drains out of the body. When micro organisms travel to the urethra and multiply (usually from the digestive tract), a UTI may develop. Most infections are caused by e. Coli bacteria that travels to the urethra from the colon.

There are three main types of UTIs. Urethritis is caused when an infection occurs in the tube that drains your urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Cystitis occurs when a bladder infection develops from untreated urethritis. Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection that moves up the urinary tract or that is caused by a blockage in the urinary tract. An obstruction can force  urine to flow backwards into the urethra and kidneys instead of outside of the body.

There are common symptoms, but not all are necessarily present in an infection, and they can present in people differently. The most common symptoms include frequent urination accompanied by burning or pain, fever or chills, blood in the urine, dark or cloudy urine, tiredness, pain or discomfort, pain in the back, side or under the ribs, vomiting or nausea. Most people also feel an intense need to urinate, but only manage to pass a little. Some people also experience pain just above the pubic bone.

Diagnosis of a UTI may be done in a number of ways, especially if the doctor needs to establish which type of infection is present. A urinalysis will assess your urine for chemicals, red blood cells, white blood cells, protein or infection. X rays may be performed for abnormalities, tumors, kidney stones, obstructions and to check blood flow to the kidneys. A cystoscopy is when a viewing scope is inserted into the urethra to search for structural abnormalities.

Your doctor will decide on a course of treatment based on your age, medical history and state of health, the severity and type of infection, and your tolerance for medication. Clinics in Las Vegas provide a full diagnostic service to get you back into good health.