/assets/production/practices/6e975e78c210457d2fb6258aad55d930a9605da3/images/2798221.jpg)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause pain, urgency, and discomfort that interfere with daily life. At Mission City Urology in San Antonio, Texas, Arpan Satsangi, MD, PhD, treats occasional and recurrent UTIs with personalized care for quick relief and long-term prevention. With thorough diagnostic testing and treatment choices tailored to each patient, Dr. Satsangi restores urinary health. Call Mission City Urology today or schedule a consultation online for relief from UTI symptoms.
Urinary Tract Infection Q & A
What is a UTI?
A UTI is an infection that happens anywhere along the urinary system. This includes the:
Kidneys
Kidneys filter waste and excess fluid from the blood to produce urine.
Bladder
The bladder is a hollow, muscled organ that stores urine.
Ureters
Ureters are tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder.
Urethra
The urethra is a tube urine flows through during urination.
Most UTIs affect the bladder and urethra, causing uncomfortable symptoms. Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a more severe condition that can be life-threatening without treatment.
What causes a UTI?
UTIs usually develop from bacteria, most often E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the digestive tract. When they enter the urinary tract through the urethra, they multiply and cause infection.
Women tend to get UTIs more often than men because they have shorter urethras. UTIs are more common in older men because they’re more likely to have prostate gland problems.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Common UTI symptoms include:
- A strong, frequent urge to urinate
- A burning feeling during urination
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Lower belly pain
Men can experience pain in the rectal area or difficulty urinating. If the infection spreads to your kidneys, you could have a fever, chills, severe back pain, nausea, and vomiting.
How are UTIs diagnosed and treated?
Dr. Satsangi asks about your symptoms and requests a urine sample for lab analysis to diagnose a UTI. The primary treatment for UTIs is antibiotics. These drugs kill the bacteria causing your infection. Regularly drinking water also helps flush out the urinary tract.
It’s vital to take all the medication, even if you start to feel better quickly. If you experience frequent UTIs, Dr. Satsangi will likely recommend an additional investigation to rule out underlying conditions.
Can UTIs be prevented?
There are several ways to lower your risk of UTIs. These include:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Urinating after sex
- Wiping front to back (for women)
- Avoiding irritating feminine products
- Not holding in urine for long periods
Dr. Satsangi also identifies and treats underlying medical conditions that cause recurrent UTIs.
If you have UTI symptoms that don’t improve in a day or two, or if you get UTIs often, it’s time to see a specialist. Call Mission City Urology today or book an appointment online for expert UTI care.