UTI May Present as Fullness of Bladder

Q: I am a 24 year old girl. I had an abortion 7 months ago. Now I am not feeling well ever since. My back has a funny feeling, like burning, I don’t feel like going to the bathroom. I just feel like my bladder is full. I get nausea and chills. My face feels itchy after sex.
-By Lili

Reply:

Get yourself checked for UTI (urinary tract infection). It may be a case of chronic urinary infection.

It is common for women to get such infections after any procedure done in the vaginal area.

UTIs are not always acute, they may be mild and chronic in presentation.

Symptoms and Signs Pointing Towards UTI

  • Feeling of fullness in bladder
  • Need to urinate more frequently
  • Pain in urination
  • Burning during urinating
  • Urgency to urinate
  • Smelly cloudy look of urine
  • Pain in flanks
  • Nausea
  • Fever with or without chills
  • Blood or pus in urine
  • Chronic weight loss

If any of the above symptom is present, it is advisable to go for a checkup.

Diagnosing Urinary Infections

Urine sample is collected and sent for culture to detect the presence of any bug in it.

Treatment

A course of antibiotics is required. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or fluoroquinolones.

Some Home Care Tips

  • It would be better to urinate just before and after sex to avoid UTI in future.
  • Drink plenty of water. Cranberry juice is beneficial in such infections.
  • Eat healthy and exercise to keep yourself fit.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “What Are the Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection?

  1. Deepak.nongmaithem

    My girl friend had a group of small pimple outside her urine passing hole. It is too allergic as well as itching problem. She is totally upset regarding that. So Dr. please help me out to cured with a home treatment. I will be so glad to you if you helped me. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Does she have any of the following symptoms-
      Any discharge or smell from the vagina?
      Redness or swelling down there?
      Pain in the groin area?
      Burning or urge while she urinates?

      Reply
  2. Kristie Ryan

    On 9/1/14 I had cervical fusion and two vertebrae removed. When I came home, I’ve had one episode of dizziness that was so severe I thought I would pass out. The episode lasted about a minute. Before and after my surgery my blood pressure was low like 88/50 . 90/50 no mention by MD of b/p or concern. I have not had to take any pain meds in last five days. A day ago I started having severe chills and night sweats. Then today I began a low grade temp. Called the surgeon they put me on bactrim DS for a UTI. My right calf feels like I pulled a muscle . Is the fever, chills, related to my leg?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Fever and chills may be related to urinary infection. As you continue taking your antibiotics, the symptoms would improve.

      As for the dizziness, did you inform your doctor? This may be related to your B.P., your overall diet after operation or a complication of the operation itself.

      Why were you operated?

      Reply
      1. Kristie

        I am 39 yr female. 114 lbs very active healthy mom. I saw a neurologist one week before my surgery for numbness to my left arm, tingling to my left leg. His exam didn’t show much he had ordered a MRI of my brain and a round of nerve conduction test. My sister has MS and my symptoms were similar. Over time and especially lately my vision was blurring. Saturday, before my surgery I went to the ER unable to urinate. MRI was done on brain and c spine. I had bulging disc 3-5 and my spinal cord was being compressed. Vertebrae was removed in c6-7. Over all, I feel better the numbness is gone. I haven’t had a lot of pain, every now and again numbness to my left arm from nerve damage but not anything like before surgery. I just had two clear u/ a results. My body goes from hot to cold. Low grade temp to sweating at night. I’ve never had a thyroid problem but I can bet this surgery through my neck has jacked it up good. I’ve told all this to the surgeon and they make me feel crazy and say I’m doing great. I’m almost ready to return to work. I’m not crazy I mean he made huge amount of money off blue cross blue shield even stole me from another doctor who was supposed to consult me on the surgery said if you see me I’ll do surgery tomorrow. At least they could tell me about the status of my thyroid. Hope you have enjoyed this explanation. I was not in a car accident I’ve never done drugs. My injuries to my neck are about 14 years old I was almost killed by a man at random stabbed 32 times 7 months pregnant. My daughter and I are alive and we’ll be. Beside some plastic surgery on scars, this is the first complication I’ve ever had. Thanks for listening.

        Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          Though your symptoms appear to be related to the surgical procedure you underwent, we may rule out any possible medical reasons for them.

          You may get your TSH levels done, to assess the thyroid functioning. It is common for peripheral nerves to get involved in thyroid problems.

          You may also start taking a vitamin B complex pill, which serves as a nerve tonic.

          Reply
  3. Mnn

    Sir
    the following urine report : age 60 years female
    Protein : nil
    Glucose : nil
    Ketones : 10 mg/dl
    WBC: 2-3
    Please advice further treatment required to be undertaken, thanks.

    Reply
  4. mnn

    Sir
    the following urine report : age 60 years female
    Protein : nil
    Glucose : nil
    Ketones : 10 mg/dl
    WBC: 2-3
    sugar patient since last two years
    sugar random 130
    hba1c 7.5
    Please advice further treatment required to be undertaken, thanks.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      In healthy conditions the range within which Hb A1c should be is 4.3-5.6%

      Your levels are elevated, indicating that diabetes state in the body is not under control.

      You need to bring down your hemoglobin A1c levels. This would happen if you control your blood sugar for a period of 3 months or longer. And this control would indicate that diabetes is under control, and is not damaging the body tissues.

      To attain this, you may visit a doctor and talk about medications. Also, diet and lifestyle changes need to be discussed. Read more on hemoglobin A1c levels and its importance.

      Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          High ketone levels in blood indicate that your blood sugar levels are not under control. Treatment is controlling your blood sugar.

          As the control gets established, ketones will not be spilled in your blood.

          Reply
  5. Nicole simpson

    Hi i had an abortion 3 weeks ago but im feeling a painful urination . Is it a UTI i have? It hurts me and i get goose bumps when i pee.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Though UTI is the commonest cause of such sypmtoms, there could be other reasons too. Your genitals could be hyperstimulated or over congested, recovering from the procedure. Needs to be investigated for diagnosis. You may go for a urine culture.

      Meanwhile, drink plenty of water throughout the day. This may help.

      Reply

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