When it comes to your physical and emotional health, convenience can make all the difference in getting the medical care and attention you need. For certain conditions, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), having convenient, personalized care is a MUST.
At Show Low Family Clinic, we are excited to offer convenient and accessible comprehensive care for the treatment of UTIs and other women's health concerns.
Instead of rushing out to an urgent care facility for quick relief, you can connect with Family Nurse Practitioner, Sharon Zell, at Show Low Family Clinic to receive high-quality medical care from the comfort and convenience of our beautiful office. Sharon can get to the root of your infection and prescribe the antibiotics needed to quickly and properly heal from this uncomfortable and often painful condition.
What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?
UTIs are infections that can occur anywhere in the urinary system. Most often, UTIs occur in the bladder or urethra (the tiny tube that transports urine from the bladder out of the body). Occasionally, infections can occur in the kidneys or ureters (tubes that carry urine from each kidney into the bladder), which is considered a more serious infection and can lead to long-term health problems, including kidney failure and sepsis.
UTIs most often occur when bacteria enter the urethra, travel up the urinary tract, and multiply in the bladder. For women, this tends to occur when bacteria in stool spreads from the anus to the urethra. For older men, UTIs may develop as a result of an enlarged prostate, which prevents the bladder from completely emptying, allowing bacteria to build up and create a UTI. UTIs can also develop due to sexual activity.
Why Are Women More Likely to Develop UTIs?
Women are four times as likely to develop UTIs than men, due to the close proximity of the anus and urethra, and also due to women having a shorter urethra. Because of this, bacteria doesn’t have to travel as far to reach the bladder.
How Do I Know if I Have a UTI?
Many of the symptoms of a UTI are difficult to ignore and can appear suddenly or grow more severe over time. Some common symptoms of a urinary tract infection include:
- Burning or painful sensation during urination
- Frequent, persistent urges to urinate
- Urine that appears pink or red (blood in the urine)
- Inability to empty the bladder
- Strong-smelling urine
- Cloudy urine
- Pain in the lower abdomen
These symptoms can make even the simplest of tasks incredibly painful and can put a halt to your daily activities. In addition to seeking treatment to relieve UTI symptoms, it is imperative that you treat a urinary tract infection as soon as possible to avoid it becoming a much more serious kidney infection.
Personalized UTI Treatment
With UTI treatment services, you can receive the medical care and prescriptions needed to quickly and completely heal from your infection. Our primary care provider has a wealth of experience diagnosing and treating UTIs – and we are ready to offer reliable medical help.
Request an appointment to get started. We currently offer in-office visits to patients located in Show Low, AZ, and virtual visits to patients.
*Show Low Family Clinic should not be used for emergency situations including, but not limited to, trouble breathing and severe chest pain, drug or alcohol overdose, severe bleeding, severe injuries, or for those having suicidal thoughts. For these situations or anyone needing immediate in-person evaluation or treatment, call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency room or hospital facility.
