A urinary tract infection can cause discomfort and pain that can interfere with your day. Optimal Health of Southern Oregon in Grants Pass, Oregon, offers in-office urine tests and other diagnostics to confirm an infection. The practice also offers safe and effective treatment options to address the infection and prevent them from returning. Schedule a consultation by phone or online today to learn more about treating and preventing urinary tract infections.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the result of a bacteria or virus that enters the urinary tract and settles in the kidney, bladder, ureters, or urethra.
UTIs are more common in women due to the structure of their urinary tract, but men can also develop the condition.
UTI symptoms depend on the location of the infection. In the lower tract, including the urethra and the bladder, you can experience symptoms like:
In women, a UTI can also cause pelvic pain. For men, rectal pain is a common symptom.
If you have an infection in the upper urinary tract, including your kidneys, you could also experience back pain, develop a fever, and feel nauseous.
Optimal Health of Southern Oregon offers in-house urine testing to confirm a UTI. During your appointment, you give a sample of urine that the staff tests while you wait. If your symptoms indicate the infection is in your upper urinary tract, your provider will usually recommend a blood test to ensure the infection isn’t spreading.
If the tests confirm an infection in your urinary tract, your provider can create a treatment plan to alleviate your pain and clear the infection. In the event you have frequent urinary tract infections, they can order additional tests, including an ultrasound, to rule out obstructions or abnormalities in your urinary tract.
For bacterial infections in the urinary tract, your provider Optimal Health of Southern Oregon prescribes an antibiotic medication. If the infection is due to a virus, an antiviral medication could be part of your treatment.
It’s important that you take the recommended dosage for the full course of treatment to treat the infection and prevent it from coming back.
To alleviate any discomfort or pain, they might suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
It’s important to treat a UTI as soon as possible to prevent the infection from spreading. Without treatment, the infection can move into your bloodstream, resulting in the life-threatening medical condition sepsis.
Don’t delay treatment for a urinary tract infection. Call the Grants Pass office today or schedule an appointment using the convenient online booking feature.
