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Page 68
| Urinary Tract Infections |
| The most common site for problems with the urinary tract in women is at the bladder or the urethra, given its close proximity to the vagina and rectum. The bladder or urethra might not be infected, but it might be very irritated from exposure to chemicals or frequent intercourse. If there is irritation of the urethra or if there is a feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen, a urine sample may be helpful in determining the cause of the symptoms. If there are signs in the urine that indicate the possibility of an infection, the sample can be cultured to see what organisms are present in order to determine which treatment to use. |
| Common signs and symptoms of a UTI include difficulty urinating, pain on urination, urgency, incontinence, frequent urination and discomfort in the lower abdomen. If the infection has traveled up the urinary tract toward the kidney, the patient may experience fever, chills and lower back pain as well. |
| Conventional Medical Treatments |
| Generally there is no treatment for irritation of the urethra and the bladder. If there is an infection or a suspicion of one, antibiotics are usually given, especially in the form of sulfa drugs. |
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