Urinary Tract Infection is a common issue these days. It happens when your urinary system ceases to function properly due to the presence of bacteria. As a result, you experience burning sensations while peeing and feel like going to the toilet repeatedly.
But apart from these apparent symptoms, are there any other hidden symptoms? For example, can a UTI cause headaches? Well! The short answer is Yes! One of the effects of Urinary Tract Infection is frequent headaches. Let’s understand it in detail and see what we can do to avoid it.
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What is UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a disorder of your urinary system. The urinary system is made up of different organs like the bladder, kidney and urethra. It is caused by the entry of bacteria into urinary openings and their growth.
They cause symptoms like a burning feeling during urination or a strong urge to pee. Cloudy or smelly urine and pain in the lower belly can also be symptoms sometimes. Women get UTIs more often than men because of the short distance between the opening and the bladder.
Typical Symptoms
Some symptoms of UTI are common, and with the first experience, you can identify that it might be due to a urinary tract infection. These are as follows:
- Frequent urination
- Urgency
- Dysuria
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pelvic pain
- Lower abdominal pain or cramping
- Blood in Urine
Unusual Symptoms
Apart from these typical symptoms, there are others that are not common. However, these should not be ignored as they might indicate that there is an issue with your urinary tract or urinary system. These are mentioned below:
Low Energy
Our body gets energy from food and makes it usable in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). Our body uses this energy for day-to-day external as well as internal operations. Walking, playing and writing all use the same energy.
When we get UTI and the bacteria starts spreading, our immune system fights with it. It takes a lot of energy to fight against harmful intruders. This makes us feel tired, and our body movement slows down.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea could be a dangerous symptom as it indicates that the infection has reached the kidneys. It is actually a reaction that your body shows to spreading infection. You may also experience an irritation in your stomach. It is critical to visit a doctor in this situation as it may be a sign of pyelonephritis, a serious infection.
Back Pain
While it is not usually apparent, sometimes people also face back pain after getting a UTI. Actually, our kidneys usually lie in our upper abdominal area. When the bacteria start climbing up from the bladder into the kidneys, it causes inflammation. This inflammation can be a reason for solid back pain.
Delirium
Delirium is a quick change in mental state that causes confusion or discomfort. It sometimes leads to hallucinations. Delirium can usually be seen in elderly adults, as their bodies sometimes react to infections in an unusual order.
Blood Pressure Alterations
If the infection becomes severe and enters the blood, it causes low blood pressure. This condition is called urosepsis. It drops blood pressure, and the person starts feeling dizziness and fainting. Similarly, those individuals who have pre-existing hypertension may feel a spike in blood pressure levels.
The body often responds to infections with increased heart rate and vascular resistance, which can also influence blood pressure levels. This symptom is most often seen in elderly patients or those who already have cardiovascular complications.
So, can a UTI cause headaches? – Exact Answer
Yes, although headache is not a primary symptom, UTI can cause headaches. Sometimes, people avoid frequent intake of water in order to prevent the pain of urination. This, in turn, causes dehydration, which leads to headaches.
Similarly, if the infection affects other nearby organs, our body releases inflammatory chemicals. Our body temperature may go up and as a result, we face severe headaches. So yes, UTI and headaches are connected, and there are a number of ways a UTI can cause headaches. We’ll explore them in the next section.
Connections between UTI and Headaches
As we mentioned earlier, there are a number of connections between the two things. Let’s talk about them one by one:
Dehydration
Dehydration is the number 1 link between a UTI and headaches. Most of the time, people reduce their intake of liquid to avoid the pain of urination. This causes a water shortage in the body, which is called dehydration. Dehydration is directly connected to migraine as our brain contracts in response to water shortage.
Fever
Fever is another connection as it is considered a response to a certain disorder in the body. Fever is just a reaction to it. Thus, when the infection reaches the kidneys, our immune system is activated and it releases chemicals like cytokines. These chemicals affect our nervous system and cause headaches.
Toxin
Toxins are usually spread out in the body from the bacteria. When the bacteria from the infection start getting into blood vessels, it puts immense pressure on our body’s natural immune system. Therefore, it leads to headaches and other neurological symptoms.
Sleeplessness
It is another link between UTI and headache. In most of the UTI cases, the affected can not sleep well because of discomfort and pain. Sleeplessness or disproportionate sleep cycles can lead to headaches and mental dissatisfaction.
What to Do?
Here are some measures that you can take to mitigate the effects of UTI.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is one of the best solutions to this situation. When you drink a lot of water, it helps you flush out the bacteria that cause the problem. It is always ideal to consume up to 10 glasses of water a day. It is also important to avoid caffeine. Tea, coffee and other such drinks can make the situation worse.
Take Pain Killers
For temporary relief, pain-killers and anti-inflammatory medicines are a good option. Pain relievers like ibuprofen may help relieve a tension headache from UTI and reduce inflammation.. They can provide temporary relief from headaches and discomfort. As they can affect your stomach, make sure to use them with caution.
Take Rest
Rest is crucial in any disease. When your body is fighting against harmful bacteria, you need a lot of energy. If you are working and doing stressful tasks, your energy is being consumed at a greater rate, and you start feeling unwell. Therefore, it is important to take rest and sleep well in order to recover.
Consult a Physician
It is always a good idea to consult a doctor when you notice these symptoms. Do not ignore them, as they might look small but can cause significant damage to your body. A urine test may give you a clear picture, and a short course of medications can help you recover.
You can also get help from our primary care services if you are experiencing headaches. A timely diagnosis and help can reduce the risks of any potential complications.
Conclusion
So, can a UTI cause headaches? The answer is yes! Headache might not be a primary symptom but it can absolutely occur as a result of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). It suggests that your urinary system is struggling with something.
You might face other symptoms like nausea, back pain, discomfort, urination in blood and even fever. Consulting a doctor promptly is ideal to get a timely diagnosis. Because when it comes to health, early actions lead to better outcomes.
