Urinary tract infections, including bladder infections, are responsible for 8.1 million visits to the doctor each year in the US.
Most bladder infections are caused by e. coli which is present in the intestines. Women are more prone to these types of infections. In fact, Around 50–60% of women will develop UTIs in their lifetimes.
But how can you tell when you have one? What are bladder infection signs? Read on for 5 common bladder infection symptoms you should know about.
1. Painful Urination
One of the symptoms of a bladder infection is pain when you urinate. You may feel burning, stinging or some other kind of discomfort.
This is called dysuria. Painful urination is more common in women. It is one of the bladder infection signs you should be on the lookout for.
2. Strong-Smelling Urine
One of the most common bladder infection signs is a foul odor in urine. If all of a sudden you notice a strong chemical or sickly sweet smell, this is a big hint that you have an infection in your urinary tract.
3. Lots of Visits to the Toilet
Most people don’t really pay attention to when or how often they visit the washroom.
But if you are making trips to the toilet more than 8 times a day, you should seek medical advice. Especially if you are waking up several times throughout the night to go.
sometimes, you feel the need to go to the toilet often but once there, you can only pass a little urine.
Chances are you have a urinary tract infection called interstitial cystitis. This type of infection isn’t due to bacteria like other types of UTI.
In this case, your bladder muscles become inflamed which leads to the feeling of needing to urinate often.
4. Cloudy or Bloody Urine
One of the most serious bladder infection symptoms is blood in your urine. This happens when a bladder infection causes red blood cells to leak from the kidneys.
Another possibility is that your urine could be cloudy. Usually, urine is yellow and clear. Cloudy urine is a very common symptom of a urinary tract infection.
5. Urgency to Go
Another symptom of a bladder infection is the desperate need to go right away. Typically, you feel the need to use the toilet build gradually.
But when you have a bladder infection or a UTI, the need to go to the bathroom can come on suddenly with little forewarning.
If you find yourself rushing to the toilet, visit your nearest urgent care center. This is a big sign that you have a UTI.
Bottom Line on UTIs and Bladder Infections
Bladder infections and urinary tract infections can be very painful. But sometimes, there is no pain. Each case is different.
If you have noticed one or more of these symptoms recently, it’s wise to check in with a medical professional.
At Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care – Thibodaux, we are open 7 days a week from 9 am to 8 pm.
Contact us today or just walk in during open hours for any urgent care need.