Oh, no – the dreaded burning sensation while urinating. You definitely have a UTI. (Right?) Well, you might – or it might be a different issue. 

Who gets UTIs, and how do they develop?

UTIs are especially common among women. In fact, about 50% of women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives. Men and children can also get UTIs, but it’s much more rare among those groups. 

UTIs are caused by microorganisms (usually bacteria and almost always E. coli, specifically) entering your urinary tract and leading to infection.

But wait: What is the “urinary tract” anyway?

Great question! The urinary tract is the system in the body that creates and stores urine. It includes the kidneys, ureters (tubes that transport urine from your kidneys to your bladder), the bladder, and the urethra (the tube that carries your urine from your bladder outside your body).

How do I know if I’m suffering from a UTI?

Now let’s talk about what symptoms are commonly tied to a urinary tract infection (UTI), and how you can get a sense of what you’re actually dealing with.

• Burning while urinating: This is a very common, often telltale sign of a UTI. However, if this is your only symptom, you might have a UTI…or you could also be suffering from dehydration, an STI (like chlamydia or gonorrhea), a vaginal infection, or a hormonal shift, to name a few.
• Feeling the urge to urinate often: Needing to use the bathroom frequently and suddenly – but often without much success – can be an indication of a UTI.
• Pain/pressure in your low belly or back: Because a UTI causes inflammation in the lining of your urinary tract, it can often result in uncomfortable pressure or even pain in the low back or belly area.
• Cloudy, strange smelling, or dark-colored urine: Watch out for this as another common UTI symptom.

Will it go away on its own?

It’s important to get treated for a possible UTI, because an untreated UTI can turn into a kidney infection, which is a more serious condition. Because a kidney infection includes critical organs with a direct link to your bloodstream, they can result in permanent kidney damage or sepsis – an often life-threatening blood infection.

And lastly, remember that Pinnacle Urgent Care is here to help, whether you think you have a UTI or are dealing with another uncomfortable situation. With clinics in both Lexington and Burlington with same-day appointments available, we can help you start feeling like you again quickly.