Urinary tract infections-signs and symptoms

Most women who have had a urinary tract infection in the past are quite adept at recognizing initial symptoms well in advance of a full out infection. In fact there is plenty of anecdotal evidence on the internet of women claiming to be capable of self-diagnosis, many days before doctors test can accurately detect and diagnose the infection.
In premenopausal women a UTI is the third most common medical complaint after colds and the flu. Moreover, most women will develop at least one UTI during their lives and many have recurrent infections. Women are substantially more likely to develop a UTI that men are. In some studies the risk is increased by as much as a factor of 10! Why? The average length of the urethra in women is 1.5 inches, while in men the average length of the urethra is 8 inches!
Probably the most common and recognizable symptom of a UTI is pain and/or burning during urination, dysuria which is called. Another symptom is having very frequent urge to urinate frequently, or in some cases, almost constantly, but not being able to go or only a small amount, despite a strong desire to urinate. Some other symptoms may include:
Hesitation-similar to the feeling of having to go but not being able, or sensation of the urge to urinate, but not being able to go or having only a small amount of urine.Cloudy, foul-smelling urine or blood in the urine.A mild fever, typically less than 101 degreesMalise (just a General "I feel good" symptom)
It is important to be able to recognize the difference between a bladder infection or UTI and a more serious renal infection. Often symptoms of a kidney infection can develop rapidly, and the symptoms of a kidney infection cannot include symptoms of UTI. Symptoms of a kidney infection include:
Fever (usually considered over 101 degrees)
Shaking chills/
Nausea and/or vomiting
Pain in your back or side, usually on one side. Sometimes called "flank pain"
If you tried to treat infection of the bladder at home, and you haven't been treated successfully, you should see a doctor immediately if you believe that it has developed a kidney infection. Remember, the correct diagnosis is nine-tenths of the cure!
Hillary Wexford is a wife, mother and health and wellness researcher and editor. Hillary particularly enjoys writing articles and useful documents on womens health issues. If you want to learn more about her amazing story with urinary tract infections and an epic battle with antibiotics, read more at http://www.cureyouruti.com/
Article source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hillary_Wexford
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Article posted on: May 19, 2011