The urinary system in the human body consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. And if there is an infection in any of the aforementioned parts, then it is termed as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Women are known to be at a higher risk for this condition. Knowing about the symptoms of UTI can help you chart out a proper treatment plan for the condition.

1. Symptoms
Here are a few symptoms of UTI that you must know about:

• Urgent need to urinate
  When you experience the need to urinate at small intervals and with extreme urgency, then there is a chance that you have a urinary infection. You may also experience incontinence.
• Pain while urinating
  If you feel pain while passing urine, then you need to consult a doctor and seek their advice. Along with pain, you may also notice blood in your urine. You may also experience pressure in your pelvic area.
• Cloudy urine
  The color of your urine can say a lot about your health. If it appears to be cloudy, then it may be a sign that you should visit a doctor. A strong smell in the urine is yet another entry on the list of symptoms of UTI.

2. Diagnosis
Urinary tract infections can be diagnosed in several ways. Some of them have been listed below:

• Urine culture
  You may be advised to get a urine culture done. This test aids in identifying the class of bacteria in the urine, which further helps decide the course of treatment.
• Urinalysis
  Urinalysis is a test that analyses the urine for bacteria, white blood cells, and red blood cells. The total number of red blood cells and white blood cells in the report are quite helpful in determining the presence of an infection.
• Imaging tests
  If you suffer from recurring urinary infections, then the doctor may advise you to get an ultrasound done. This helps them check for irregularities in your urinary system. A computer tomography (CT) scan is another imaging test that helps detects signs of infection in the urinary tract.
• Cystoscopy
  Cystoscopy makes use of a special instrument with a lens and light source called cystoscope. It is used to check the inside of the bladder and urethra for abnormalities or irregularities.

Knowing about the symptoms and diagnostic options for UTI can help in getting relief on time and prevent the infection from spreading.