How Can You Effectively Get Rid of a UTI Fast?

How Can You Effectively Get Rid of a UTI Fast?

A urinary tract infection is a common infection that normally occurs in the urinary system including the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. These infections often affect the lower urinary tract, such as the bladder and urethra. Keep reading to learn more on how to treat a UTI in Llanedeyrn.

UTI attacks are more likely to affect women than men. Having a urinary tract infection spread to the kidneys can be dangerous.

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection

UTIs typically don’t show any symptoms. But you can experience the following if they do:

• An urge to urinate persistently
• A burning sensation during urination
• Foul smelling urine
• Peeing frequently – often in small bits
• Cloudy urine
• Pain in your pelvis - for women
• Urine that looks bloody

However, it’s simple to overlook or mistake a UTI for other similar conditions in older adults.

When should you visit a pharmacist to treat a UTI in Llanedeyrn?

It’s important to visit your pharmacist if you:

• Show symptoms of a UTI for the first time
• Are a man with symptoms of a urinary tract infection
• Care for an older, frail individual who may have UTI symptoms
• Have symptoms of a UTI following surgery
• Experience severe symptoms or don’t improve within 2 days
• Have symptoms even after treatment

What causes a UTI?

Bacteria usually enter the urinary tract through the urethra and start regenerating in the bladder, resulting in a urinary tract infection. Although the urinary system has its own defence mechanisms, they sometimes fail, resulting in invasions. As bacteria grow, full-blown infections occur.

The majority of common UTIs occur in women, usually in the urethra and bladder. The infections include:

Bladder infection (cystitis)

In most cases, Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are responsible for this infection. In most cases, this bacteria lives in the gastrointestinal tract (GI). There are, however, other bacteria that can generate this infection.

Urethra infection (urethritis)

The infection is caused by GI bacteria moving from the anus towards the urethra. The reason for this is that a woman's urethra is based close to the vagina.

How to treat a UTI in Llanedeyrn

UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics prescribed by doctors or pharmacists. Nevertheless, you can try as much as possible to avoid catching the UTI.

A urine test may be done if your pharmacist thinks you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), though this is not always necessary.

Your pharmacist may also:

• Recommend taking painkillers and provide self-care advice.
• Offer a short term antibiotics prescription.
• Give you an antibiotic prescription but suggest you take them after 48 hours, in case your symptoms disappear on their own.

It's necessary that you take all your medication, even if your symptoms have gone.

How do you treat a recurring UTI in Llanedeyrn?

If you contract a UTI after treatment or you get two of them in a span of 6 months, your pharmacist or GP may:

• Change your course of antibiotics or give you a low-dose antibiotic that goes for up to 6 months.
• Prescribe a vaginal cream comprising oestrogen (if you’ve gone through menopause).
• Advise you to see a specialist for further assessment and treatments.

It is possible that antibiotics won't work for some people or that urine tests don't pick up the infection even if you are suffering from UTI symptoms.

You may have a chronic (long-term) UTI that is not visible by current urine tests. It may be advisable to consult a specialist for further assessment and treatment.

Long-term UTIs are usually associated with a high risk of developing bladder cancer in individuals aged 60 and above.

Home remedies to treat a UTI in Llanedeyrn

If you have a severe form of UTI, you will need antibiotics to clear up the bacteria and minimise any symptoms, like pain. The following are a few home remedies to help alleviate your symptoms:

• Reduce consuming foods or beverages that can irritate your bladder

Consuming spicy foods, and drinking coffee or alcohol containing sugar irritates the urinary tract.

• Drink enough water and urinate frequently

Drinking plenty of water can help flush away the bacteria that cause UTIs.

• Don’t take vitamin C if your symptoms have already appeared

  Some people take Vitamin C to prevent UTIs because it acidifies the urine, which kills bacteria inside the urinary tract. A UTI with symptoms or that has already begun developing cannot be treated with vitamin C.

  • Use a heating pad

  The use of heat on the abdomen may relieve the pain or burning sensation associated with a UTI.

  Our minor infections prescribing service

  At Hopwoods Pharmacy, we value your health and that’s why we offer treatment for minor infections such as Tonsillitis, Acute Otitis Media, Acute sinusitis, Impetigo, UTIs and many others.

  Get in touch with us today to treat a UTI and find out more about our minor infections prescribing service. You can also book your appointment now!

   

  This blog post was written on behalf of Hopwoods Pharmacy by Pharmacy Mentor.