Urinary Tract Infections
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, occurs whenever microbes like bacteria overcome the defenses of the body and are able to make their way to your urinary tract. It’s also not uncommon for these microbes to affect the bladder, tubes, and kidneys around them. The condition is a relatively common outpatient infection, with over eight million doctor visits being attributed to them every year.
UTIs are also referred to by different names, which typically depend on the initial location of the infection. For example, cystitis refers to bladder infections, while urethritis is infections of the urethra. Some symptoms of the condition include frequent urinating, pain and discomfort when you urinate, strong-smelling and cloudy urine, and fatigue. It can also cause a fever, confusion, agitation, restlessness, back and side pain, nausea, vomiting, shivering, and chills.
Urinary tract infections are generally easy to treat, so long as you’re able to begin taking antibiotics quickly. However, it’s possible to speed up the recovery process with lifestyle changes and home remedies. Some of these include remaining hydrated, frequently urinating, and probiotic consumption. Heat therapy has also been found to help alleviate some of the pain in the back or abdomen caused by bladder infections.
