Urinary tract infection should i go to the hospital

Emergency rooms are usually reserved for just that — emergency or life-threatening situations, like strokes, head trauma or difficulty breathing. UTIs, while painful, are not life-threatening, especially if caught and treated early. Plus, visiting an urgent care center for UTIs typically costs far less than an emergency room, and may be covered by your health insurance. Additional methods for treating and preventing UTIs have also been debated. Same goes for probiotics.

Fermented products like kefir yogurts and kombucha might cultivate good vaginal flora, but more conclusive evidence is required. The best course of action is to prevent infection before it even starts. Make small changes to your daily routine, like drinking enough water and eating foods high in fiber and rich in vitamin C.

Also, reevaluate the products you use and the clothes you wear as they affect vaginal bacteria. Then, you can get back to feeling like your normal, healthy self; faster and easier. See our prices on co-pays and same-day visits, with and without insurance.

Louis, MO. Some of the most common causes include: — Drinking enough water , especially during hot summer months, can make the difference between flushing out the bacteria that can cause a UTI or not.

In addition, high blood glucose levels can increase the odds of a UTI. These painful infections generally start at the beginning of the system, or the urethra opening, and progress upward until medical treatment arrests the spread. Most UTIs are contained to the urethra and bladder. Proper medical care is needed for this condition. Ronnie Shalev. The most common cause of a urinary tract infection is bacteria. Bacteria can be introduced into the opening of the urethra, possibly through contact of Escherichia E.

A kidney stone or other blockage can also cause an infection. For men, an enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urethra and cause an infection. A flatworm that infects the urinary system can cause UTIs.

This could be more likely if you have done international travel recently. Certain kinds of sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, gonorrhea or chlamydia can cause UTIs. And finally, some birth control methods can increase the risk of a urinary tract infection. You may be given a sanitary wipe to clean with and then instructed to gather a sample for testing. The tests, done in our in-house laboratory, may determine the type of bacteria involved which will help the physician determine the correct treatment.

Recurring UTIs may require specialized testing to determine the cause. Your physician may discuss the need for additional testing with you. The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body urethra.

Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection. Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:.

There is some evidence that women under 65 years old who keep getting UTIs may find it helpful to take:. Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. Page last reviewed: 18 November Next review due: 18 November Urinary tract infections UTIs. Urgent advice: Get advice from now if:.