Effective Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Care at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection affecting the urethra (the tube by which urine leaves the body), ureters (the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder), bladder, or kidneys. UTIs are very common bladder issues, although they can affect more than just the bladder. Most UTIs respond quickly to appropriate treatment.

At Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals, our women’s health experts have extensive experience in treating gynecologic conditions, including urinary tract infection, in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. Find a Doctor or call (702) 616-4900 to make an appointment today.

 

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection in Las Vegas, NV

Urinary tract infections happen when bacteria get into the urinary tract. Common causes of UTIs include:

  • Changes in the vaginal environment. UTIs are common during menopause because hormonal changes increase susceptibility to infection.
  • Incomplete emptying of the bladder. If the bladder is not completely emptied, bacteria may grow. Some medical conditions, such as a kidney stone, increase the risk of infection by making it hard to empty the bladder.
  • Wiping from back to front. Bacteria from bowel movements can enter the urethra and cause infection.
  • Having a catheter to drain urine. Catheters increase the risk of infection.
  • Using a diaphragm for birth control. Diaphragms may cause urine to linger in the bladder because they push against the urethra.
  • Having sex. Sexual intercourse can push germs up into a woman’s urinary tract.

 

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:

  • Frequent urge to urinate
  • Burning or pain during urination
  • Pressure in the lower belly
  • Urine that is reddish in color, smells bad, or is cloudy
  • Feeling sick or tired
  • Fever

 

UTI Treatment & Prevention

You may be able to prevent urinary tract infections by:

  • Urinating after sex, to flush out bacteria
  • Wiping front to back
  • Urinating whenever you feel the urge
  • Drinking lots of water
  • Drinking cranberry juice (may help prevent UTIs as well)
  • Wearing loose-fitting cotton underclothes
  • Avoiding douching

If you develop symptoms of a UTI, see your health care provider. A sample of your urine will be cultured to confirm the presence of bacteria. This will help your doctor determine which antibiotic will work best. Most women feel better soon after beginning treatment.

Oral antibiotics cure most UTIs in a few days. Your doctor may also give you medicine to help you feel more comfortable while your body is healing.

If you get three or more UTIs in a year, your health care provider may prescribe additional antibiotics. If you tend to get a UTI from intercourse, even if you urinate after sex, a prophylactic dose of an antibiotic may help prevent a UTI. Your doctor may also want to run tests to figure out why you get so many infections.

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals provides reliable treatment for women with urinary tract infections in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.