Urinary Symptoms? Your Doctor *Really* Wants to Hear from You (Even During a Pandemic)

No one wants an avoidable trip to the doctor or, worse, the emergency department; especially when we’re being advised or mandated to stay at home except for the essentials. 

Your health, though, is essential and that includes your urinary health.

If you’re experiencing urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms (listed below), please don’t ignore them or hope they’ll “just go away.” Experts say that anyone who develops UTI symptoms needs to be evaluated by a medical professional, preferably within 24 hours. That’s because, left untreated, a UTI could progress into something much more serious like a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). Kidney infections require fast treatment in order to prevent hospitalization, kidney damage or, even worse, a life-threatening complication. 

According to The Official Foundation of the American Urological Association, common symptoms of a UTI include:

• Burning or pain when urinating
• Strong urge to urinate frequently but sometimes resulting in only a few drops 
• Pain in your lower abdomen pelvic area and perhaps lower back
• Possible leaking of urine 
• Foul smelling or cloudy urine 

Kidney infection symptoms include:

• Fever
• Upper back pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Something else happening “down there”? New or different colors, smells or other urogenital signs can be hallmarks of other conditions requiring treatment. Learn more about urine and vaginal discharge symptoms and what to do about them. Plus, these are great details to tell your doctor or nurse about over the phone (ok, potentially embarrassing and “ick” but they’re used to that!)

Speaking of doctors, only a healthcare professional (HCP) can diagnose and treat a urinary tract infection appropriately and (trust us) if you’re having urinary or vaginal symptoms, your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant wants to hear from you! Don’t hesitate. Please make a prompt phone call to your healthcare system’s advice line or to the front desk at your HCP’s office. Let them help you get the help you need to feel better and avoid a worsening condition that could be harder to treat down the road. In some circumstances, phone or telemedicine consults are possible so you can still stay home and stay well. 

If you have a UTI, while you wait for the next step, meds, or for healing to begin, you can ease discomfort and keep the infection in check with over-the-counter Cystex Urinary Pain Relief Tablets. Cystex Urinary Pain Relief Tablets won’t cure your infection (only prescription antibiotics can do that) but they can help you feel better along the way. 

If you seem to frequently experience bothersome urinary issues, consider also Cystex Urinary Health Maintenance to help maintain your urinary health. One tablespoon contains ingredients that can benefit your urinary tract including a prebiotic to help promote healthy bacteria and anti-adherents to help keep bad bacteria from sticking around. 

You can always order Cystex products online for convenient home delivery from Amazon.

Keep washing your hands, following your local public health agency’s guidelines, being kind to one another, and seeking medical care when you need it. We wish you ongoing good health in mind, body, and spirit.