What is the urinary tract?

The body’s liquid waste product is produced and stored within the urinary tract. The urinary tract consists of the following parts:

• Kidneys: These two organs are located at the back of your body, just above your left and right hip. They are your body’s filters: they remove waste and water from your blood. This waste becomes urine.
• Ureters: Thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
• Bladder: A sac-like container, the bladder stores urine before it leaves the body
• Urethra: A tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body

What causes a UTI?

Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms, usually, bacteria, that enter the urethra and bladder, causing an infection. Although a UTI most commonly occurs in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect the kidneys. If left untreated for prolonged periods of time, the infection may even enter your bloodstream and spread throughout the entire body.

What are the symptoms of a UTI?

The symptoms of a UTI can include:

• A burning sensation when you urinate
• A frequent or intense urge to urinate, but very little comes out when you try
• Bloody, Cloudy, dark, or strange-smelling urine
• Feeling tired or shaky
• Fever or chills
• Back pain or lower abdominal pain

Types of UTIs

UTIs can happen in different regions of your urinary tract. The infection name depends on the location.

• Cystitis (Bladder Infection): You may feel like you need to urinate a lot, or it might hurt when you pee. You might also have lower abdominal pain and bloody or cloudy urine.
• Pyelonephritis (Kidney Infection): Pain in your upper back or side accompanied by chills or fever, vomiting, and nausea.
• Urethritis (Urethra Infection): This can cause a discharge and burning when you pee.

Do I need to see a UTI specialist? If yes, is there a UTI specialist available at UrgentWay?

No, because there is no such thing as a UTI specialist. Since UTIs are a very common disease they can be diagnosed by most healthcare workers. Thus it is important that you see our team of experienced Providers at UrgentWay Walk-in Clinics for any and all UTI diagnoses and treatments.

What should I expect during my first visit?

During your UTI appointment, our healthcare providers at UrgentWay Walk-in Clinics will examine you for signs and symptoms of UTI and take a sample of your urine to detect the type of bacteria involved. Depending on your reports, you are given an antibiotic course to treat that specific type of bacteria.

Can my UTI be treated at home?

Yes, initially once you have visited an UrgentWay Walk-in Clinic and been diagnosed with a UTI. You will then follow your prescribed antibiotic regimen and be advised to drink lots of water. It’s very important to note that even once you start feeling better, you must still finish the full course of your prescribed antibiotics so that your UTI is fully treated.

Food, diet, and nutrition

Experts do not believe that food, diet, and nutrition play a role in preventing or treating UTIs. If you have any type of UTI, then talk to a health professional about how much you should drink each day to help prevent or relieve your infection.