Get Immediate Help Deciding Where To Go
If you have health insurance, your insurance company wants you to get the right level of care for your injury. So they might offer a phone line staffed by experts who can help you decide where to go for care.
For example, if you have HealthPartners insurance, you can get free help. CareLine nurses are available 24/7 to help you figure out where you should go for care. Call CareLine at 800-551-0859. Check your insurance card for details specific to your insurance carrier.
How To Know If You Have A Urinary Tract Infection
When you start to feel an urgent need to find a bathroom, and when it starts to burn when you do go, you could be experiencing the early stages of a urinary tract infection, or UTI as it is commonly called. According to the National Kidney Foundation, UTIs are responsible for nearly 10 million doctors office visits per year. One in five women will have at least one UTI, also called cystitis, during her lifetime. Men and children can also get UTIs. But what exactly is a UTI and why is it so common?
A UTI can be any infection in the urinary system including the urethra, bladder, ureters or kidneys. These painful infections generally start at the beginning of the system, or the urethra opening, and progress upward until medical treatment arrests the spread. Most UTIs are contained to the urethra and bladder.
Proper medical care is needed for this condition. At Advance ER in Dallas, TX, we know how to diagnose and to treat UTIs with our in-house laboratory and patient pharmacy. A UTI can be extremely painful, said Advance ER physician Dr. Ronnie Shalev. Its not something to try to tough out, it needs medical treatment.
When To Seek Medical Attention
Because of the vital life sustaining functions the kidneys perform in the body it is essential that they are functioning properly. If you are experiencing a frequent urgency to urinate with burning or pain, chances are you likely have a urinary tract infection and should seek immediate medical attention. Depending on how severe your symptoms are will dictate which type of medical attention you seek. If you can get in to see your doctor right away that would be your first step to treatment. If you are unable to see your doctor immediately then a quick trip to your local urgent care center is your best option for prompt diagnosis and a treatment plan.
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Visit An Emergency Room For A Uti Treatment
A UTI can cause many problems if you do not treat it. This type of infection can spread to the kidneys and permanently damage them. This can also lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening infection. Going to an emergency room for urgent care where you can have a UTI will allow you to quickly get the medications that you need in order to restore your health.
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Women Are 10x More Likely To Get A Uti Than Men
When it comes to developing a urinary tract infection, anatomy isnt in a womans favor. Her urethra is shorter than a mans, making it easier for bacteria to travel up to the bladder and multiply. That doesnt mean that men dont suffer from UTIs though. They do, especially as they age, but not at the same rate as women.
Statistics from the National Kidney Foundation show that 1 in 5 women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime. And unfortunately, once you get one, youre more inclined to have another. Some women are also more prone to infection because of pregnancy and both perimenopause and menopause.
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So How Long Does It Take A Uti To Turn Into A Kidney Infection
It is important to be aware of the symptoms of a UTI so you may catch the infection before it becomes a more complicated illness, such as a kidney infection.
As Healthline explains, symptoms of a kidney infection usually appear two days after infection. While the chances of kidney damage is low, it is not a good idea to leave these infections to worsen, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
In fact, even Medical News Today agrees, people should not delay treatment can lead to a life threatening kidney infection called emphysematous pyelonephritis. This infection increases a persons risk of septic shock, bladder rupture, and death.
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Other Ways Of Increasing Liquid Intake:
In summer, drinking freshly squeezed fruit juice, lassi, various kinds of sherbets are a good way to increase liquid intake. In winter, when one does not feel like drinking water, hot soups are a good substitute. You could soak kulthi bean or horse gram in boiling hot water overnight, and drink the water first thing in the morning to dilute kidney stones or crystals, and eliminate them from your body gradually.
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Do I Need To Go To The Er For A Kidney Stone
In some cases, small kidney stones can pass on their own without the need for medical or surgical intervention. However, larger kidney stones often require treatment to make it possible for them to pass through the urinary tract. Additionally, stones with an extremely low probability of passing on their own may require surgical extraction. Because untreated stones can lead to a host of other complications, including infection, severe pain, and prolonged illness, it is important to seek evaluation in order to determine whether your stone may pass on its own or whether you need more immediate intervention.
In cases of severe, prolonged, or worsening symptoms related to a kidney stone, patients should visit their nearest ER in Frisco or Fort Worth. This includes:
- Blood in the urine
Furthermore, your provider can help you better understand what may have caused your kidney stones and offer guidance on how to prevent developing additional stones in the future. This may include recommendations regarding your diet, lifestyle, fluid intake, current medications, and more.
An Understanding Of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones form from mineral deposits and settle inside a persons kidneys. The stones are made of calcium, uric acid or cystine. The stones can vary in size and shape, and these may affect any portion of the urinary tract. Sometimes, multiple stones stick together. Passing them is extremely painful and can take several days or even weeks to occur. People whose diets are high in salt or sugar may be more prone to developing kidney stones.
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Going For Urgent Care For Uti
When a patient visits an emergency room for urgent care for a UTI, the doctors may analyze the patients urine sample to look for bacteria. The doctors will also look for red blood cells or white blood cells. Doctors may also use a urine culture. This will involve growing any bacteria found in the urine to determine which bacteria have been causing the patients infection. This can help the doctor prescribe the most effective medications.
Generally, the first treatments for UTI infections are antibiotics. These can help to kill the bacteria that are causing the infection. The doctor will determine which type of antibiotics to use depending on the patients condition and what type of bacteria is causing this infection. Some medications can include Ceftriaxone and Nitrofurantoin.
Should I Go To Urgent Care For A Uti
Many people regard a urinary tract infection as little more than a painful nuisance. In reality, however, UTIs can lead to serious, permanent health problems when proper treatment is delayed. If you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, learn why you should visit your local PhysicianOne Urgent Care.What Is A UTI?A urinary tract infection results when harmful bacteria are able to enter any part of the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys, ureters or urethra. Most UTIs involve painful or annoying symptoms in the lower urinary tract however, infections can cause serious problems when they spread to the kidneys.What Are the Symptoms of a UTI? Urinary tract infections wont always cause noticeable symptoms. When they do, you may experience any or all of the following:Persistent or strong urge to urinateBurning while urinatingPassing small amounts of urine frequentlyPelvic pain in womenUrine that appears pink, red, cola-colored or cloudyUrine with a foul smellIf an infection spreads to the kidneys, a person may experience additional symptoms, including high fever, nausea, chills, vomiting and/or pain in the side or upper back.When to Seek HelpWhen treated promptly and properly with antibiotic medications, lower urinary tract infections rarely lead to complications. If left untreated, however, serious problems can occur, including:Permanent kidney damage
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Is It A Kidney Infection Or Something Else
Your symptoms could also result from another common illness. Some similar conditions you may mistake for a kidney infection include:
- Other UTIs. Other types of UTIs, such as those affecting the urethra and bladder, can also cause symptoms like urgent and painful urination, abdominal pain, and urine thats cloudy, foul-smelling, or bloody.
- Kidney stones.Kidney stones are hard deposits of materials like calcium or uric acid that form in the kidneys. When they become lodged in the kidneys, they can cause pain in the abdomen, side, or back, as well as nausea and vomiting.
- Lower back pain. If low back pain is your primary symptom, you may have a condition thats affecting your lower back. Examples include injuries, degenerative disc disease, and nerve compression.
- Pregnancy. Symptoms like frequent urination, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal cramping can all be early signs of pregnancy.
Its always a good rule of thumb to seek medical attention if you experience any new or concerning symptoms. A healthcare professional can work with you to determine what may be causing them.
Heres an idea of what you can expect when you seek care for a possible kidney infection.
Symptoms Of Kidney Infection
Symptoms of pyelonephritis often begin suddenly with chills, fever, pain in the lower part of the back on either side, nausea, and vomiting.
, including frequent, painful urination. One or both kidneys may be enlarged and painful, and doctors may find tenderness in the small of the back on the affected side. Sometimes the muscles of the abdomen are tightly contracted. Irritation from the infection or the passing of a kidney stone can cause spasms of the ureters. If the ureters go into spasms, people may experience episodes of intense pain . In children, symptoms of a kidney infection Urinary Tract Infection in Children A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urinary bladder , the kidneys , or both. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. Infants and younger read more often are slight and more difficult to recognize. In older people, pyelonephritis may not cause any symptoms that seem to indicate a problem in the urinary tract. Instead, older people may have a decrease in mental function , fever, or an infection of the bloodstream .
In chronic pyelonephritis, the pain may be vague, and fever may come and go or not occur at all.
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Where Do You Go If You Get A Uti
If you think you may have a UTI or worse, a kidney infection, make an appointment with your primary care provider as soon as possible. If you cannot get an appointment with your provider right away know that Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine will help you!
We treat UTIs as well as many other ailments. We have locations along Colorados Denver metro area. Were open 7 days a week. Please visit our website for a list of our locations and schedule your visit today!
When To Go To The Er For Uti Symptoms
If your symptoms have progressed to the point of lethargy, pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and/or blood in the urine, you need to get to the nearest Advance ER right away.
If you are pregnant, have diabetes, use a catheter, have an enlarged prostate or are prone to kidney stones, it is especially important for you to see a physician right away when you first start to show symptoms of a UTI, said Dr. Shalev. Also, babies and children need prompt care.
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What Are The Best Treatments For Kidney Infection Pain
A kidney infection is considered serious and usually needs to be treated by a medical professional to prevent it from spreading into the bloodstream. Most doctors start the treatment with antibiotics to get rid of the infection, but there are also kidney infection pain remedies that can be used at home to get rid of symptoms like nausea, pain during urination, and lower back tenderness until the antibiotics take effect. Drinking both cranberry juice and lots of water can help reduce pain, as can taking supplements like vitamin C. Of course, rest and hot compresses also often work, and can be done from home after getting medical treatment.
One of the main ways to start reducing pain from a kidney infection is to get antibiotics from the doctor. Most people are offered oral antibiotics to treat the issue, but some severe cases call for intravenous intake at a hospital or doctors office. Some people prefer to use garlic or Echinacea to help get rid of the bacteria, as these are both considered natures antibiotics, but a doctor should be consulted before anyone uses these in place of prescription antibiotics.
What Are The Signs Of A Kidney Infection And What Does A Kidney Infection Feel Like Anyway
Both bladder and kidney infections share some symptoms such as painful urination, frequency, and urgency, but usually only kidney infections present with back pain, nausea or vomiting, fever, and chills, Dr. Movassaghi says. This pain is known as flank pain in the medical community and usually presents on either side of your body between your upper abdomen and lower back. Youll likely notice a deep, dull ache in the area, which is where your kidney pain would likely manifest.
So if youre a young or middle-aged adult, the signs of a kidney infection are similar to what you might experience in the beginning stages of UTI symptoms with extra unpleasantness thrown on top. Heres a breakdown of what to look out for:
- Pain in your back, side, or groin area,
- Nausea or vomiting
An important FYI: Kidney infection signs can differ depending on your age. Adults over 65 might not have any of the typical symptoms and instead present with cognitive issues like confusion, hallucinations, and disorganized speech.
Babies and toddlers, especially girls and uncircumcised boys, can be prone to kidney infections too. And when children under two are affected, the only symptom they might have is a high fever, notes the NIDDK.
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Should I Go To The Er For A Kidney Infection
Urinary Infections
Should I go to the ER for a kidney infection? Kidney infections occur when bacteria from your bowel enter your urinary tract, causing an infection that requires medical attention. However, you may not need to visit the emergency room for a kidney infection if your symptoms are not severe. If you do believe youre having severe kidney infection symptoms, visit an emergency room as soon as possible.
Check out the answers to other ER-related questions:
Why Do Kidney Stones Hurt
Before we discuss going to the ER for kidney stones, it helps to understand why stones hurt so much in the first place.
Kidney stones cause pain when they cause a blockage of urine in the ureter . When a stone is stuck in the ureter, it blocks the flow of urine. This causes a backflow of pressure that distends or stretches out the plumbing system of the kidneys.
Internal organ pain due to lack of blood flow, blockage or severe trauma is known as visceral pain. This is the most severe type of pain because our body is notifying us that a vital organ is âin trouble and you better get help!â
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Where Can I Go To Get Treated For A Uti
A Primary Care Provider or family physician can treat a UTI, most commonly with antibiotics. The process involves an appointment, where the care provider will assess your symptoms and prescribe the right course of antibiotics. The doctors at AFC Urgent Care, St Petersburg, are qualified to treat UTIs. Diagnosis may involve testing of a urine sample, and testing the bacteria in your urine in order to determine which antibiotics will be most effective. Most UTIs will be resolved with antibiotics after a few days, but more complicated or repeat infections could require a different course of treatment or intervention.
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
A urinary tract infection must be treated by a medical professional. At-home remedies never work, said Dr. Khan. They may slow the bacterial growth but they wont fully reverse the infection. Its not an invasive or difficult treatment, so come to Medco ER right away and get the help you need to get over the UTI.
If left untreated, a life-threatening condition of widespread infection, called sepsis, may occur. Or, the kidneys may be permanently damaged. If you are experiencing painful urination or have any of the above symptoms, come to Medco ER & Urgent Care right away.
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