Prompt treatment of a urinary tract infection (UTI) can relieve the urinary frequency and other symptoms you may experience with this common problem. It can also help prevent serious complications related to an untreated UTI. At Lyon Primary Care in Midtown, New York, NY, our family medicine specialist, Valerie Lyon, M.D., can treat your UTI and design a treatment strategy that may help prevent future infections. Call our office to schedule your appointment.
Most UTIs affect your lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) but can involve any part of your urinary system, which includes your:
Women are at greater risk than men of developing a UTI due to differences in their anatomy.
In women, bacteria have an easier time traveling up the tiny tube (urethra) that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body because it’s much shorter than the male urethra. The female urethra is also much closer to the rectum and more prone to bacterial infection from the anal and vaginal area.
UTIs can sometimes occur without producing symptoms, but they typically cause:
Your symptoms can change subtly or dramatically depending on which portion of your urinary tract is infected.
A kidney infection, for instance, is frequently accompanied by:
A bladder infection (cystitis) may cause:
An infection of the urethra (urethritis) can cause:
When treated promptly — typically with antibiotics — UTIs rarely lead to serious complications. When left untreated, however, you may experience:
Men and women can help prevent UTIs by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. This helps dilute your urine and causes you to urinate more frequently, which can flush bacteria from your urinary tract.
Women can also significantly reduce their risks of developing a UTI by:
Call our office today to make an appointment.