Issue link: https://spiritofwomen.epubxp.com/i/863724
3 u n i t e d r e g i o n a l . o r g Healthy Body Dr. Paul Benson has joined United Regional Physician Group, where he will provide general urology services and the treatment of complex urological conditions. He is also experienced in minimally invasive robotic surgery for the treatment of genitourinary malignancy, such as prostate cancer, kidney cancer and bladder cancer, as well as female pelvic organ prolapse and other urological disorders and conditions. Because it is minimally invasive, the precision of robotic technology is ideal for delicate and complex urologic surgeries. For a complete list of procedures Dr. Benson provides, please visit urphysiciangroup.org/services/urology/ Dr. Benson's practice is located at the Barnett Road Medical Building, 4327 Barnett Road, Wichita Falls, TX 76310. New patients are being accepted from all payer sources including Medicare and Tricare. To make an appointment, please call 940-764-5400. Bad bacteria The vast majority of UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, although rarer microbes or bacteria occasionally are to blame. The term "urinary tract infection" is a bit of a misnomer because symptoms aren't felt until the infection has actually settled into your bladder. Although your urinary tract always contains bacteria, most of it is released from your body through your urine stream. It's only when harmful bacteria are allowed to sit and colonize that problems occur. It's usually within 24 hours of bacteria inhabiting the bladder that women start to feel the symptoms (i.e., a burning sensation during urination, more frequent urination or a false sense of urgency to urinate; blood in the urine and pelvic pain are less common symptoms). Treatment tactics The easiest way to reduce your UTI risk, and your first line of defense in treatment, is to stay well hydrated. Hydration alone can clear up approximately 50 percent of infections. Focus on drinking a good amount of water for the first 24 hours after experiencing symptoms. If there's no improvement in your symptoms, it's time to contact your medical provider. A standard round of antibiotics should alleviate the symptoms after a couple of days. But be sure to finish the full course of treatment, because bacteria can lurk in your system even after symptoms fade. Most important, don't hesitate to revisit your doctor for an evaluation if your symptoms don't improve. Being complacent can allow your infection to worsen into more serious kidney problems, or lead to a missed diagnosis if your symptoms are a sign of something other than a UTI. Dr. Paul Benson, Urology If you're female, you can almost count on experiencing at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in your lifetime, if not many more. Luckily, UTIs are relatively easy to prevent and treat, and under most circumstances they're not serious. Let's take a look at what causes this irritating affliction and what you can do about it. ON THE GO: Heading off urinary tract infections