Needing to urinate right after you've just gone is not only annoying but can be a sign of an underlying health problem. While this is commonly related to drinking a lot of water or taking medication, sometimes, it could mean something more serious like an infection or diabetes.
A healthy bladder works best if the body just relaxes so that the bladder muscles naturally contract to let the urine flow, rather than using the abdominal muscles to bear down as with a bowel movement. In men, the need to push urine may be a sign of bladder outlet obstruction, which is commonly due to BPH.
A split stream of urine is usually a sign of an issue with the bladder or the urethra. A split urine stream can also result from a condition called prostatitis. Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland in males. A split urinary stream can occur in both men and women but most commonly occurs among men.
A burning feeling after peeing is not always due to an infection. Other possible causes include painful bladder syndrome, urethral stricture disease, prostatitis, and kidney disease. The cause of a urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually bacteria from the body, rather than an external cause of infection.
The symptoms of a UTI can include: A burning feeling when you pee. A frequent or intense urge to pee, even though little comes out when you do. Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee.
Bacteria can build in the tract when waste isn't removed or if the bladder isn't emptied correctly. This causes an infection. Swelling and irritation from the infection can make urination uncomfortable. Sometimes painful urination can occur even if you don't have a UTI.
Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)
PBS is not caused by an infection, but it can feel like a urinary tract infection or UTI. Painful bladder syndrome is also referred to as bladder pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis. In the past, doctors thought PBS was rare and difficult to treat.
You may pass urine more often than usual because of: Infection, disease, injury or irritation of the bladder. A condition that causes your body to make more urine. Changes in muscles, nerves or other tissues that affect how the bladder works.
Bacteria that live in the vagina, genital, and anal areas may enter the urethra, travel to the bladder, and cause an infection. This can happen during sexual activity when bacteria from your partner's genitals, anus, fingers, or sex toys gets pushed into your urethra.
At-home UTI tests use a test strip called a dipstick to determine if there are nitrites or leukocytes in your urine. You'll need to hold the test strip in your urine stream for one to two seconds, or dip it into a urine sample collected in a cup.
As the bladder empties during urination, the muscles contract to squeeze the urine out through the urethra. Several different bladder problems can cause pain. The three most common causes of bladder pain are interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infection, and bladder cancer.
UTIs can be found by analyzing a urine sample. The urine is examined under a microscope for bacteria or white blood cells, which are signs of infection.
“Yes, a UTI could go away on its own, but some infections are different than others,” he says. “And if left untreated, it may linger longer.” UTIs are classified into two main categories: uncomplicated, also known as cystitis; and complicated, which may be catheter-associated or happen during pregnancy.
The most reliable sign of a UTI is a stinging or burning sensation with urination, though other symptoms may also occur. A bladder infection is a type of UTI that occurs specifically in your bladder. Think of it this way: Your urinary tract includes your urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.
Most UTIs are not considered serious. However, leaving it untreated can lead to more serious medical problems. Infection can likely spread to your kidneys and blood stream causing permanent damage, and even death.
Simple bladder infections may go away on their own in about a week — even without antibiotics.
Bacteria — especially E. coli — are the most common cause of UTIs. Symptoms include needing to pee often, pain while peeing and pain in your side or lower back. Antibiotics can treat most UTIs.
Learn the symptoms seen in the early stages of a UTI below, which include a burning sensation during urination and pain in the lower abdomen.
Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, although fungi rarely can also infect the urinary tract. E. coli bacteria, which live in the bowel, cause most UTIs. The female anatomy contributes to women's increased likelihood of contracting a UTI.
DON'T drink coffee, alcohol or caffeine until the infection is gone. These drinks can irritate your bladder. DO drink a shot of sugar-free cranberry juice, if you like it. Cranberry juice may help fight infection, though the effectiveness is still being studied.