If you have certain bladder problems, you may be at risk for developing urinary tract infection. It is important that you recognize the different symptoms of an untreated UTI can be harmful to your bladder and kidneys.
Some symptoms are obvious signs of a UTI. But be aware of other symptoms, which are more subtle and therefore harder to recognize as UTI-symptoms.
Symptoms that may be related to UTI:
- Pain or discomfort when passing urine
- An urge to pass urine frequently
- Cloudy and strongly smelling urine (unrelated to foods that can cause urine odor)
- Blood in the urine (enough blood to make the urine the color of cranberry juice)
- Unexpected urine leakage
- Fever/sweating or chills
- Pain in the bladder (above pubic bone area)
- Pain in the kidney area (lower back area)
- Headache, nausea,
- More fatigued and just feeling poorly
- If you have a spinal cord injury, you may also experience increased episodes of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) or increased spasms of the legs
- Confusion- especially in the older population.
If you experience any of the symptoms listed, you should consult your healthcare provider.
How to check if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI)
Your physician may perform a quick urine test which can give a rough indication of whether or not bacteria are present. To determine whether you do have a UTI, your healthcare provider will check with a urine cultures and may also want to take a blood test in order to assess other factors. If you suffer from recurring UTIs your doctor may want to have you see a urologist for further testing.
How do I prevent UTI?
There are a number of precautions to prevent urinary tract infections. Read more about how to prevent UTI here.
These are general guidelines meant to help you with typical questions. You should follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider and the intermittent catheterization solution you are using.
