UTI or urinary tract infection impacts a lot of women worldwide. The urinary tract is a system including the bladder, tubes called ureters as well as the kidneys. This system creates and transfers the urine out of the body, however in many cases, germs enter the urine causing an infection known as UTI or bladder infection. One of the major symptoms of a UTI is extreme back pain on the lower side, especially on the right side, or in many cases, simply below the ribs.
Symptoms of UTI
Here are the symptoms of UTI in detail:
- Painful urination
- The urgency to ‘go’ frequently but hardly producing any urine at all.
- The urine may be cloudy, reddish or bloody.
- There is a bad smell accompanying the urine.
- Fever may be present
- Cramps in the abdomen are also reported by some women
- Lower back pain or pain in the flanks or simply listed below the ribcage is also typical in UTI
Does UTI Cause Back Pain?
Sometimes, a bladder infection remains untreated for a long time. This results in spreading of the infection from the bladder to the kidneys. This is when most patients experience a dull pain in the back. Fever, chills, queasiness and vomiting are other symptoms of a kidney infection arising from UTI complications.
When should you see a doctor?
If the symptoms of the UTI, especially your back pain are affecting your everyday life, or if you have had frequent UTIs in the past few months, you must see an expert without further delay. Urologists can advise the right tests to diagnose your condition and can also help prevent further complications.
Lots of pregnant women tend to get UTIs in their 2nd or 3rd trimester. A lot of such cases are not serious and the symptoms gradually reduce after a few days. However; in many cases, a course of antibiotics might be essential. This can help treat the bladder infection lower back pain, provided one takes the medicines as recommended by the doctor. Even if the back pain on one side has eased after taking the medicine for a few days, one must not stop it and needs to complete the full dosage. Failure to do so might cause the infection to recur.
Understanding UTI Related Back Pain on One Side
Lots of STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis frequently produce symptoms much like those of bladder infection, including lower back pain on one side. Similarly, yeast infections can also cause intense pain in lower or right side of the back specifically when the fungal infection goes into the blood stream. For this reason a laboratory test should be performed to dismiss these possibilities.
When Do UTI Occur in Women
- Monthly cystitis is a common condition that can cause UTI and related backache. Numerous women have the tendency to get bladder infections each time they have sexual intercourse, according to iytmed.com. Those using a diaphragm for birth control are likewise at greater risk from such infections.
- Patients with weak body immune system, senior or disable patients using catheters are likewise at a risk from recurring UTIs.
- Women who use douches, fragrant shower gels or other personal womanly hygiene products can also increase the chances of developing UTIs.
- Menopause and pregnancy are two other conditions that might cause UTIs due to hormonal changes.
- Women who do not drink sufficient fluids are unconsciously increasing their UTI dangers.
- Likewise, holding the urine for longer periods or having a tendency of developing kidney stones can likewise cause UTI back pain on the left side of the body.
- Similarly, men with bigger prostate or those with kidney stones can likewise establish bladder infection and subsequent pain in the back side.
Treating Lower Back Pain Related UTI Symptoms
So, now we know that UTI can cause lower back pain on one side or even both. Let’s follow ut with treatment options. Persistent bladder infections can be treated using single lower everyday dosages of antibiotics. Women with propensity of establishing UTIs following sexual relations can likewise take a single dosage of antibiotic instantly after sex. Numerous physicians likewise encourage patients to self treat their UTI symptoms using 3-day antibiotic courses as soon as they take place. One can even take a fever reduce/pain killer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen to ease the UTI back pain on one side. Sleeping with a warm water bag can likewise alleviate symptoms of abdominal pain and UTI back ache.
Sometimes, there are no symptoms accompanying the bladder infection-known as asymptomatic UTIs. These typically lead the patient to have a bladder infection for long time. Just a chance/ regular urine assessment reveals existence of bacteria in the urine. Naturally, no treatment is required, however, pregnant women, children or those with risk of developing a kidney infection must be treated instantly nevertheless.
In conclusion
Back pain specifically UTI associated lower back pain on the right side ought to not be ignored. See your doctor instantly if the pain returns shortly after you have been treated with antibiotics.