Whats The Difference Between A Bladder Infection And A Uti

Check If Its A Urinary Tract Infection

Symptoms of a UTI may include:

• pain or a burning sensation when peeing
• needing to pee more often than usual during the night
• pee that looks cloudy
• needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
• needing to pee more often than usual
• lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
• a high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
• a very low temperature below 36C

How Do You Get A Bladder Infection Or Uti

UTIs happen when bacteria enters the urethra and multiply. Urinary tract infections are fairly common and can happen to anyone, but the following risk factors can increase your chances of getting one.

• The sex you’re assigned at birthPeople assigned female at birth have shorter urethras than those assigned male at birth, making it easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder and kidneys.
• Hormone changesMenopause, pregnancy and having your period can increase your risk of infection.
• Diaphragms and spermicidesThese forms of contraception can kill off good bacteria, increasing the bad bacteria which can find its way to the urethra.
• Genetic predispositionGenetics play a role in the shape and size of your urinary tract, making some individuals more prone to infections.
• Sexual activity To help prevent UTIs, pee as soon as possible after sex.
• Hygiene habitsBubble baths and scented feminine products might feel like self-care, but they can cause irritation and lead to UTIs. Also, always make sure to wipe front to back!
• Chronic illnessIllnesses, like diabetes, can cause changes to your immune system, making you more prone to UTIs.
• Not drinking enough waterAdd it to the long list of reasons why you should drink more water! Staying hydrated can help stave off bladder infections.

How Is Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosed

In order to ensure a clean urine sample, a physician will likely have you clean your genital area with a special wipe beforehand, and ask that you do a midstream catch of the urine.

If a UTI is diagnosed, youll be treated with antibiotics. Its important to note that false negative results do occur and that almost all women who experience typical UTI symptoms and a negative urine culture actually do have a UTI. 30209-4/fulltext rel=nofollow> 11)

If youve had a prior UTI, your healthcare provider will look at prior cultures to see which bacteria were found, if any, and which antibiotics were used this often guides therapy in recurrent UTIs.

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Favorite Organizations For Essential Uti Info

We love the patient-friendly foundation page of the American Urological Association website. Here, youll find lots of support and educational resources for those with urological issues. Our favorite part is that all your must-know info can come straight to your mailbox: UCF offers free subscriptions to its UrologyHealth Extra magazine.

This no-nonsense clearinghouse is run by the National Institutes of Health, and provides gobs of information on urinary tract infections from the National Library of Medicine. We especially like that you can easily find the latest published research on UTIs and that theres a quick link to current clinical trials for those who are interested.

The CDC is a trusted go-to source for the writers and editors of Everyday Health, thanks to their commitment to science-based research and reporting. What makes the CDC a particularly helpful resource for urinary tract infection information is the fact that their antibiotics and treatment guidelines for UTIs are always up-to-date.

How Do I Know If I’m Getting A Bladder Infection

Your symptoms of bladder infection will depend on the severity. You might notice changes in urination such as frequency , urgency , pain or burning when you pee, bloody or cloudy appearing urine, foul-smelling urine, and pressure or cramping in the lower back or lower abdomen.

When a bladder infection spreads to the kidneys , it can also cause mid-back pain. This back pain is unlike muscular back pain. It is not brought on or made worse by activity or position. A kidney infection can also cause additional symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of illness.

If you suspect you have a bladder infection, seek care from a healthcare provider as soon as possible, certainly if your symptoms do not go away in a day or two. Older individuals, pregnant women, and people with diabetes should see a doctor right away. Early treatment is essential to prevent the spread of the infection to the kidneys. As mentioned, kidney infections require urgent medical attention because they can lead to serious complications.

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Can I Get Uti Treatment Online Without Insurance

Yes! You dont need insurance to use Virtuwell. A visit to Virtwells online clinic is never more than $59. This includes a diagnosis, treatment plan and free follow-up care. If youre prescribed antibiotics or other prescription medication, your prescription is sent to your pharmacy where you pay for it just like you would if you visited an in-person clinic. If you do use insurance, your cost for care will likely be reduced or with some insurance plans covered completely.

Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:

• Drink plenty of water every day.
• Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
• Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
• Take showers instead of tub baths.
• Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
• Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
• Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
• Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.

Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.

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Bladder Infections Vs Other Utis

It is possible to have a more serious type of urinary tract infection that affects your upper urinary tract, a.ka. your kidneys. This typically happens as a result of an untreated UTI in your bladder.

A kidney infection causes symptoms like fever, nausea or vomiting, and one-sided back pain. It is serious and requires immediate medical intervention to avoid complications like scarring of the kidney.

Do You Have Cystitis Or A Uti

You may have UTI in your bladder, which leads to bacterial cystitis. However, UTI doesnt have to occur in your bladder in which case you would not have bacterial cystitis.

You may have interstitial cystitis if youre experiencing cystitis symptoms without any bacteria in your urine. Interstitial cystitis is sometimes called non-infectious cystitis because it is bladder inflammation that is not caused by a bacterial infection.

What is the difference between cystitis and UTI? There are 3 main differences between cystitis and UTI:

Can a UTI cause cystitis? UTI can directly cause bacterial cystitis, or indirectly cause interstitial cystitis. If UTI is left untreated, it can lead to chronic bladder inflammation, which is the underlying cause of interstitial cystitis.

UTI and interstitial cystitis are interconnected, yet they are different. Below, we list what differentiates the two.

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Is Urinary Tract Same As Bladder Infection

UTIs can affect any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, ureters, bladder, or in more serious cases, the kidneys. A bladder infection is a UTI that only affects the bladder. It is not always possible to distinguish what UTI a person has because the symptoms of the different types can overlap.

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Can A Uti Cause Strange Behavior

In addition to agitation and confusion, there may be agitation, restlessness, and hallucinations. UTI symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways, depending on the individual, and this can happen regardless of age or health status. Pregnant women, women who are experiencing menopause, and those with diabetes are all at a higher risk of developing a UTI.

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Utis Vs Kidney Infections: How To Tell The Difference

It starts with a sudden urge to go to the bathroom. Whether at work, school or running errands, you have to drop what youre doing and find a restroom now. But once you can finally relieve yourself, you cant go. Or, if you do go, it feels painful and uncomfortable.

If this has happened to you, it might have been a urinary tract infection or kidney infection.

Many people ignore signs of a bladder infection and wait it out until symptoms improve, says Dr. Ross Watson, a board-certified family practitioner at Beaufort Memorial Primary Care. But if you seek medical help, we can often resolve painful symptoms quickly.

Heres how to tell if you have a UTI or kidney infection and what you can do to start feeling better.

What About Kidney Stones Are They Involved Here Somehow

Sort of. A kidney stone isnt an infection, but a collection of salt and minerals that hardens and turns into a stone. While some stones may be small others can be much larger. They may stay in the kidney, or begin to move into the ureter, the tube that connects the kidney and the bladder. When this happens, kidney stones can become extremely painful.

Kidney stones can be tricky, since they may have many of the same symptoms as a UTI or a kidney infection pain when urinating, needing to urinate often, and cloudy or strong smelling urine, blood in the urine, fever, nausea or vomiting. And while stones often pass on their own, larger stones sometimes need to be broken up, or removed.

Sometimes, kidney stones can lead to a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection, so its important to get them checked out by your doctor. And, since the symptoms are so similar, getting a checkup is probably a good idea anyway just to rule out the possibility of an infection, and to make sure the stone is moving along as it should.

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Bladder Infection Vs A Uti

Symptoms can offer clues about whether you’ve got a bladder infection specifically or a UTI somewhere else in your system. Regardless of which type you have, you’re likely to have some or all of the most common UTI symptoms, which MedlinePlus says includes:

• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Fever, tiredness, or shakiness
• An urge to urinate often
• Pressure in your lower abdomen
• Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy or reddish
• Pain in your back or side, below the ribs

If you’re dealing with a bladder infection specifically, the CDC says you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Frequent urination
• Feeling the need to urinate despite having an empty bladder
• Pressure or cramping in the groin or lower abdomen

Left untreated, a lower UTI or bladder infection can turn into a kidney infection, which the NIDDK says can lead to serious health issues like sepsis, kidney failure, or renal scarring in rare cases. According to the CDC, some common symptoms associated with kidney infections include:

• Lower back pain or pain in the side of your back
• Nausea or vomiting

The symptoms you experience with a UTI of any kind are importantthey can help clue your doctor into where the UTI is located, and which type of treatment will work best for your specific case. If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care right away, to help treat what’s going on and prevent any complications.

Who Is Most Susceptible To A Bladder Infection

UTIs are more common in women than men. This is partly due to their anatomy in women, the urethra is shorter, which makes it easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder and cause an infection.

Other risk factors for bladder infection include:

• Any medical condition or injury that prevents you from emptying your bladder completely

• Any medical condition that weakens your immune system

• Being a woman in or after menopause

• Having a UTI in the past

• Needing to have a bladder catheter

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent UTIs. These include the following:

• Drink plenty of water.

• Empty your bladder immediately after sex.

• Dont hold it when you feel the need to go.

• Think about switching to a different method of birth control if you currently use one with spermicide.

• Consider vaginal estrogen if youve gone through menopause.

Some people may benefit from cranberry supplements or antibiotics, especially if recurrent UTIs are a problem. You can learn more here about preventing UTIs.

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Can Antibiotics For Utis Interfere With Birth Control

Nope, the antibiotics youâre taking for a UTI wonât interfere with your birth controlphew! The only antibiotics that might impact hormonal contraception are rifampicin and rifabutin, according the UKâs National Health Service. Those medications are used to treat certain bacterial infections, like tuberculosis, but not UTIs.

With that said, other medications can make hormonal birth control less effective, per Penn Medicine, so itâs always a good idea to check in with your doctor or pharmacist about potential interference with birth control whenever youâre taking something new.

Another thing to note is that spermicide can make you more susceptible to UTIs, per Mayo Clinic. Also, the new birth control gel Phexxi is not recommended for people with a history of recurrent UTIs, according to the National Womenâs Health Network. If youâre frequently coming down with UTIs, it might be a good idea to talk with your doctor about whether switching birth control could help.

What Is The Fastest Way To Get Rid Of A Bladder Infection

It is crucial to seek medical care from a healthcare provider if you suspect a bladder infection. Based on your symptoms and laboratory test results , your doctor will prescribe you an appropriate antibiotic. A healthcare provider will also rule out other causes for your symptoms, such as sexually transmitted diseases, which can cause similar symptoms as UTIs. Besides this, you can do several things to speed up your recovery from a bladder infection.

Drink more water

Water helps flush out bacteria from the bladder. It also dilutes the urine and makes urination less uncomfortable.

Dont hold urine

Holding your pee allows bacteria to remain in the bladder and multiply. Frequent urination helps to eliminate the bacteria from the urinary system.

Urinate after sex

Sexual activity can push the bacteria deeper into the urethra in both women and men. Urinating after sex can help flush the bacteria out before they have a chance to settle and cause an infection. Some women with chronic infections may even be advised to take a dose of antibiotics just after intercourse.

Wear loose cotton clothing

In women particularly, tight or synthetic clothing can create a warm and moist environment in the private areas, which is ideal for bacteria to thrive. Loose pants, skirts, and cotton underwear are recommended to promote air circulation and decrease bacterial growth. Change your underwear daily.

Drink cranberry juice

Take hygiene measures

References:

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Urinary Tract Infections In Men

Men can get UTIs, particularly if they have trouble with urine flow. Older men who experience prostatitis are at a higher risk. If the bladder is not emptying properly, the build up ofurine makes it more difficult to cure the infection.

A small number of young men may get a UTI. In males, this is usually the result of a sexually transmitted disease.

Can Utis Be Prevented

A few things can help prevent UTIs. After peeing, girls should wipe from front to back with toilet paper. After BMs, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

Also, go to the bathroom when needed and don’t hold the pee in. Pee that stays in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.

Keep the genital area clean and dry. Girls should change their tampons and pads regularly during their periods. Bubble baths can irritate the vaginal area, so girls should take showers or plain baths. Avoid long exposure to moisture in the genital area by not wearing nylon underwear or wet swimsuits. Wearing underwear with cotton crotches is also helpful. Skip using feminine hygiene sprays or douches, as these can irritate the urethra.

If you are sexually active, go to the bathroom both before and within 15 minutes after sex. After sex, gently wash the genital area to remove any bacteria. Avoid sexual positions that irritate or hurt the urethra or bladder. Couples who use lubrication during sex should use a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly.

Finally, drinking lots of water each day keeps the bladder active and bacteria-free.

UTIs are uncomfortable and often painful, but they’re common and easily treated. The sooner you contact your doctor, the sooner you’ll be able to get rid of the problem.

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