What Is a Complicated Urinary Tract Infection?

If you’re diagnosed with a complicated UTI, you may already have some health challenges. That makes it more important than ever to get timely care for your infection — and that’s where board-certified urologist Dr. James Stocks can help. 

At Urology Specialists of Cypress, Dr. Stocks provides expert, highly informed care for complicated UTIs in our Cypress, Texas, office. We even offer same-day appointments for urgent care needs. 

Here’s what you need to know about complicated UTIs and how to get relief. 

What is a complicated urinary tract infection?

A simple urinary tract infection develops when bacteria invade the urinary tract, causing an infection. With a simple UTI, the bacteria enter through the urethra (urine tube) and usually travels to the bladder. 

However, the infection can remain in the urethra or may move through the bladder and up to the kidneys. The higher in the urinary tract the infection is, the more serious a UTI can be. 

Up to 40% of women and 12% of men develop at least one simple UTI in their lifetime. 

But, some people have underlying health conditions or anatomical issues that make UTIs more difficult to treat. That’s when a UTI is called “complicated.” 

For example, kidney stones, diabetes, or a weakened immune system can make the infection harder to clear and increase the risk of recurrence. 

Complicated UTIs often affect not only the bladder but may also involve the kidneys or other areas of the urinary tract, making the potential for serious complications more serious.

Symptoms of a complicated UTI

While many symptoms overlap with simple UTIs, complicated UTIs often come with more severe or persistent signs. Common symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Cloudy urine
• Odorous urine
• Lower belly pain

Should the complicated UTI affect your kidneys, you could also suffer from fever, chills, lower back pain, or nausea.

If you notice any of these symptoms, call our office immediately. An untreated UTI could potentially lead to kidney damage, a life-threatening infection called sepsis, or other complications. Failing to treat a complicated UTI can also lead to exacerbation of your underlying condition. 

Dr. Stocks and our team use advanced diagnostic tools to accurately determine the location and severity of your complicated UTI, guiding us toward an effective treatment plan.

Treatment options for complicated UTIs

Treating a complicated UTI often involves a more tailored and aggressive approach. 

The typical treatment for simple UTIs involves antibiotics, but for complicated UTIs, you might need longer-term antibiotics. This may involve intravenous antibiotics at the beginning, especially if your symptoms send you to emergency care. After that, most patients take oral antibiotics.

In addition, Dr. Stocks emphasizes treating your underlying condition as effectively as possible. He explains the treatment options for conditions like kidney stones and urinary incontinence that can help you feel more comfortable and confident while reducing your risk of future UTIs.

If you have a systemic condition, like diabetes, Dr. Stocks recommends an approach to manage it in relation to your urinary health. He can also coordinate your care with your diabetes doctor as needed.

Our team at Urology Specialists of Cypress focuses on a comprehensive approach, ensuring that your treatment approach addresses both the infection and its root causes. We’re here to support your urinary health, now and long term. 

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a complicated UTI, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment at 281-304-2521 to visit Urology Specialists of Cypress in Cypress, Texas.