UTI Treatment

A urinary tract infection (sometimes shortened to UTI) is an inflammation of the urinary system, which includes the kidneys, bladder and urethra. A common ailment, the urinary tract infection affects nearly everyone at one time or another. Thankfully, treating a urinary tract infection is a simple and straightforward process.

Recognize the Symptoms

There are various symptoms and not all of them will present in each UTI. However, most infections cause an increase in the urge to urinate. You may feel like your bladder is full, but you can only release little or no urine when you go to the bathroom. UTIs also cause dark, cloudy or smelly urine. In some cases, your urine may even contain blood.

Get Diagnosed

If you are experiencing the symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection, you should see your health care professional for a proper diagnosis. In most cases, he will ask you for a urine sample. Be sure to sanitize your hands and the area around your urethra before you start. When you start to urinate, allow the first bit to go into the toilet and begin collecting it midstream. Your health care provider will have the urine analyzed for the presence of bacteria, which can indicate an infection.

Choose Prescription or Over-the-Counter Medicine

Be sure to tell your health care provider about any other medications you are taking. You also want to tell him if you have any allergies or if you are pregnant. All of these things are important in determining what kind of medication you will help you the most. In most cases, he will suggest an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, to kill the infection-causing bacteria. In some circumstances, such as pregnancy or allergic reactions, your health care provider may suggest over-the-counter medications, like Uristat.

Whether you choose prescription or over-the-counter medication, you should always take the medication according to your health care provider's instructions. In most cases, you should feel a relief from your symptoms almost immediately after you start the medicine. Still it is important to take the prescription exactly as prescribed and for the extended period. If you stop taking them as soon as you feel better, you run the risk of developing another infection almost immediately. No matter what type of medication you are taking for your urinary tract infection, you should tell your health care provider if you do not see an improvement within a week of taking the medication. You may have been misdiagnosed or your urinary tract infection may have worsened.