If you have to urinate often or always feel the urge to urinate, turn to TRiiBE Medical LLC in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Family medicine specialists Uloma Ibe, MD, Abimbola Hillard, CRNP, and their highly trained staff diagnose and treat urinary tract infections (UTIs) to reduce unpleasant symptoms and the risk of complications. Call the office to schedule an appointment or book one online today.
Urinary tract infections, commonly referred to as UTIs, are infections in your ureters, kidneys, bladder, or urethra. They can cause unpleasant symptoms and serious complications if the infection spreads to your kidneys. Early detection and treatment is the best way to avoid dangerous complications.
Common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:
Complications that may develop because of untreated UTIs include recurrent or life-threatening infections, permanent kidney damage, or pregnancy complications in women. Men could experience narrowing of the urethra.
While urinary tract infections are common and can happen to anyone, some factors increase your risk of getting them. Examples include:
You can reduce the risk of UTIs by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water and cranberry juice. Wipe from front to back, avoid irritating feminine products, and empty your bladder soon after sex.
If you use diaphragms, unlubricated condoms, or condoms treated with spermicide, bacterial growth can occur and increase your risk of urinary tract infections.
To find out if you have a UTI or get treated for one, your TRiiBE Medical LLC specialist reviews your symptoms and medical history with you. They check your vital signs, complete a physical exam, and have you leave a urine sample for lab analysis.
You may also need an imaging procedure, such as a CT scan or MRI, or a cystoscopy procedure that uses a thin, lighted tube to get a better view of the inside of your bladder and urethra.
Your TRiiBE Medical LLC specialist can give you antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection most of the time. You might also need vaginal estrogen therapy if you’re a post-menopausal woman or IV antibiotic treatment for a severe UTI.
If you suspect you have a UTI and want symptom relief, call the TRiiBE Medical LLC office or schedule an appointment online today.