Can a Uti Cause Burning When Not Peeing

A UTI or urinary tract infection occurs when harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, take root anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. For many people — including the 50 to 60 percent of women who experience a UTI in their lifetime — the infection can be uncomfortable and very painful. The thing is, not everyone experiences the same UTI symptoms. (1)

RELATED: 8 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms

Common UTI Symptoms and Signs

The urine of most healthy, properly hydrated people appears light yellow or clear and is nearly free of odor. It also causes zero pain or discomfort to pass.

But for the majority of people who experience a urinary tract infection, that's not the case. Instead, they will likely encounter at least one of the following indicators:

• A consistent and strong urge to urinate When your bladder and urethra are inflamed, this mucks up the receptors that signal when you need to pee.
• Pain or burning while urinating Bacteria irritates the lining of the urinary tract, which then spurs inflammation that can cause an unpleasant sensation.
• Passing only small amounts of urine at a time UTIs can cause the urethra to swell, which hinders the amount of urine that's passed.
• Cloudy urine It's thought that cloudiness occurs because your body's white blood cells have built up while your system tries to eliminate the offending bacteria.
• Strong-smelling urine Bacteria can cause a fishy odor.
• Red, pink, or cola-colored urine This indicates the presence of blood.
• Pelvic pain or pressure This is felt in the center of the pelvis and can mimic the sensation of bloating. (2,3)
• A full feeling in the rectum This UTI symptom presents only in men. (4)
• Passing gas in your urine Called pneumaturia, it occasionally occurs when your UTI causes air to be passed with your urine.(5)
• Mucus- or pus-like urethral discharge This UTI symptom is more common in men than women. Here, your bladder and urethra's natural mucus is attempting to clear the body of germs.
• Incontinence Lack of bladder control is particularly apparent in the elderly.(2,3)

When the kidneys are infected, other noticeable symptoms may include:

• Fever, shaking, and chills
• Nausea and vomiting
• Upper back, side, or groin pain (2)

While it's been long noted that confusion in the elderly is a sign of UTI, a 2019 report in BMC Geriatrics concludes that there's insufficient evidence connecting the symptom to that diagnosis.(6)

RELATED: Causes and Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infections

UTI Signs and Symptoms in Children Are Different

UTIs are the second most common type of infection in children, behind ear infections. (7)Unfortunately, early symptoms of UTI in young children are not always apparent. And sometimes there are no UTI symptoms at all, or your child is simply unable to articulate the UTI symptoms he or she is experiencing. When it comes to babies under 2 years old, parents need to tune in to these signs of a urinary tract infection: (8)

• Fever A fever of 104°F or higher may be the sole symptom in babies. It's also the most common symptom of UTI during baby's first two years.(9)
• Jaundice Up to 18 percent of babies with prolonged or worsening jaundice also have UTIs. When jaundice occurs one full year after birth, it's a strong indicator of UTI. (10)
• Fussiness
• Poor feeding or failure to thrive
• Sluggish
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Crying while urinating (8)

Meanwhile, older children generally have similar symptoms to adults, including urgency, cloudy urine, and pain during urination. For children who've already been toilet trained, bed-wetting is also a sign of a UTI. (8)

Is It Possible to Have a UTI Without Any Symptoms?

Yes. Symptoms of a UTI can vary, and it's not entirely uncommon for someone to experience no symptoms of a urinary tract infection. It's estimated that 1 to 5 percent of younger women experience asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB), which is a UTI without the classic symptoms. (This is also called asymptomatic urinary infection.) While it's unclear why the bacteria involved with urinary tract infections sometimes don't cause symptoms for these people, we do know that instances of symptom-free UTIs increase with age. Up to 16 percent of women older than 65 have been found to have ASB, and that number grows to almost 20 percent for women over 80. (11) Other factors that increase your chances of an asymptomatic UTI are:

• Urinary catheter use
• Abnormalities of the genitourinary tract
• Spinal cord injuries
• Diabetes (12)

Can Food or Drink Worsen Symptoms of a UTI?

Yes. You may experience a flare of your UTI symptoms after drinking alcohol or coffee or consuming other well-known bladder irritants. (13) Here are some items that should be avoided if you've been diagnosed with a UTI:

• Caffeinated beverages
• Alcohol
• Carbonated drinks
• Artificially sweetened beverages
• Acidic fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes (14)
• Spicy foods (14)

Are UTI Symptoms Always an Indicator of a UTI?

No. Women with symptoms of a UTI whose tests don't show any infection may have:

• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Interstitial cystitis (also called painful bladder syndrome)(15)
• Kidney stones
• Food allergies
• Vaginitis
• Irritation of the vulva
• Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis.(16)

It's also worth noting that bladder cancer, bladder stones, and an enlarged prostate in men can also cause changes in urination that mimic urinary tract infection, such as red or pink urine; having to urinate more often than usual; and painful or burning urination. While these symptoms are more likely to be brought on by a urinary tract infection, if you're concerned, bring your worry to your healthcare professional. (16)

Can a Uti Cause Burning When Not Peeing

Source: https://www.everydayhealth.com/uti/guide/symptoms/

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