If you have a urinary tract infection, you don’t have to suffer from the pain and discomfort as Oza Family Care and Wellness Center in Houston offers same or next day appointments for urgent health problems like UTIs. Vijay Oza, MD, is a skilled internal and family physician treating men, women, and children of all ages for a wide range of medical conditions. If you have a UTI, call Oza Family Care and Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.
Your ureters, urethra, bladder, and kidneys make up your urinary tract. A urinary tract infection usually develops in your bladder and urethra because of bacteria that multiplied in your bladder.
While anyone can develop a UTI, they’re more common in women because of their anatomy. Additional factors that can increase your risk include:
Urinary tract infections can be uncomfortable, but they’re usually harmless. When left untreated though, the infection can spread from your bladder and urethra into your kidneys, leading to more serious problems.
A UTI doesn’t always have symptoms. However, if they’re present, symptoms usually include:
Many women also have pressure or pain in their pelvis or lower abdomen, especially around the pubic bone.
There are several approaches to avoiding a UTI, including:
It’s also essential to stay away from feminine and bath products with perfumes and harsh chemicals that can irritate your urethra.
Dr. Oza diagnoses urinary tract infections with a urine test. For chronic UTIs, he might suggest additional testing such as a CT scan, MRI, or cystoscope imaging to evaluate your urinary tract for abnormalities.
In most cases, UTIs are easy to treat and resolve after two to three days of antibiotics. If you have additional symptoms, like painful burning during urination, Dr. Oza might also provide pain relievers that work directly on your bladder.
When a UTI is persistent or recurring, Dr. Oza often suggests additional treatments such as long-term, low-dose antibiotics or a single dose of antibiotics to take after engaging in sexual activity. For women suffering from frequent UTIs after menopause, he might also recommend vaginal estrogen therapy.
To diagnose and treat your urinary tract infection, call Oza Family Care and Wellness Center or schedule an appointment online today.