QUESTION: I’VE BEEN FEELING A REALLY BURNING SENSATION WHEN I PEE THE PAST FEW DAYS. WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Answer: While a burning sensation can be caused by many things such as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or a kidney infection you likely have a UTI, or a bladder infection. UTIs are very common and are typically caused by bacteria that get into the urinary tract through the urethra.
UTI’s are more common in women but can occur in men too. Symptoms may include not only a burning sensation, but frequent urges to urinate, abdominal pain, fever, and cloudy, bloody, or strong-smelling urine.
UTIs are generally treated with antibiotics, which can ease symptoms pretty quickly, although prevention is key. Be sure to always drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet, don’t hold in your urine, urinate after sex, and keep your vaginal area clean. Make sure you’re wiping from front to back to avoid introducing new bacteria into your vaginal area.
It also helps to keep stress to a minimum; while stress doesn’t necessarily cause a UTI, when you’re highly stressed your immune system doesn’t work quite as well and can lead to you developing illnesses or infections. Practice some stress-reducing activities, such as exercise or meditation.
UTIs can be painful and inconvenient, but with quick attention, they don’t have to keep you down. Talk to your doctor for treatment, and then practice some of the steps above to prevent them from happening in the future.
Are you an expert in incontinence care? Would you like to join the NAFC expert panel? Have a question you’d like answered? Contact us!
