Urinary tract infection side effects can include difficulty urinating, painful urination, and abdominal tenderness. Patients in treatment for urinary tract infections can develop additional side effects related to the medications they take to address the infection. It is also important to be aware that untreated infections in the bladder and urinary tract can potentially have serious complications for the patient, making it important to receive timely medical care.
There are a number of causes for urinary tract infections and they are extremely common. Sometimes patients recover on their own and in other cases, medical intervention may be needed. The urinary tract infection side effects are also tell-tale symptoms alerting doctors to the fact that there is a problem in the urinary tract. The urine can appear cloudy or dark as a result of shedding dead cells and sometimes it is bloody because the patient is experiencing inflammation.
Urinary tract infection side effects like painful urination are related to the inflammation and irritation in the urinary tract. This makes it hard to pass urine. Abdominal pain can indicate a spreading infection, and patients may also develop fever, nausea, and vomiting as a result of a persistent urinary tract infection. Infections in the bladder are more likely to cause these issues. Untreated urinary tract infections can rise all the way to the kidneys, potentially putting people at risk of nephritis, an infection in the kidneys.
People who experience urinary tract infection side effects can be given antibiotics to kill the causative organisms and may also be offered anti-inflammatory medications to treat the swelling. They should start to notice an immediate improvement, although the medications can cause nausea, vomiting, and general fatigue, depending on the antibiotic prescribed. Patients who continue to experience signs of a urinary tract infection will need follow-up care and may require new medications.
Some people find it helpful to modify the diet during a urinary tract infection to cope with some of the urinary tract infection side effects. Avoiding highly spicy foods can reduce the pain associated with urination, and cranberry juice is known for easing inflammation and fighting infection, potentially helping to eliminate the infection more quickly. It is important to stay hydrated, even if urinating is painful, as the body needs water to support immune function, express medication byproducts, and flush out the infection. People who have extreme difficulty urinating can discuss options with their doctors, like pain management medications and muscle relaxers to make it easier to pee.