Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Summer 2019

8 VITALITY Summer 2019 COMMUNITY JUST FOR WOMEN Why it hurts when you go You’re sitting on the toilet wondering: How is it possible for pee to feel like fire? Just minutes after that painful experience, you have an overwhelming urge to dash back to the bathroom. When you get there, hardly any urine comes out—but it still hurts! What’s going on? You may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). These infections happen when bacteria invade the urinary tract through the urethra, the short tube that leads to the bladder. Once inside, the bacteria can infect any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) or kidneys. A UTI can quickly become serious if it triggers a kidney infection. That’s why you should see a health care provider right away if you have symptoms of a UTI, which can include: » » Sharp pain or a burning feeling when urinating. » » A strong urge to urinate, often right after you’ve just gone. » » Urine that has a strong odor, looks cloudy or has blood in it. Painful and bloody urine can be caused by other problems, so your provider will test your urine to make a diagnosis. If the test shows you have a UTI, your provider will prescribe antibiotics. These medicines tend to make women feel better quickly, usually in less than two days. But even if you feel better, keep taking your antibiotic. You must finish it all to make sure the bacteria are destroyed. Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Office on Women’s Health Learn the warning signs of suicide We can’t always know the reasons why someone we love decides to consider suicide. Unless we’ve been in a similar situation, we may not fully understand their sense of hopelessness and pain. But we may be able to recognize the warning signs of suicide—and act in time to make a difference. For instance, someone who is thinking of suicide may: Talk about wanting to die or take their own life. Search online for ways to carry out a suicide plan or try to get pills, a gun or a rope. Talk about feeling hopeless or empty or having no reason to live. Feel trapped without any other solution. Feel unbearable physical or emotional pain. Withdraw from family or friends. Increase their use of alcohol or drugs. Act anxious or agitated. Engage in reckless behaviors, like driving dangerously. Have extreme mood swings, such as sadness one moment and happiness the next. WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONEYOU LOVE? Don’t be afraid to talk to a loved one you believe is considering suicide. Offer to listen, and give them hope and support. You can also get your loved one help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anytime day or night, at 800-273-8255 . If you think someone is at immediate risk of suicide, call 911 . Sources: American Psychiatric Association; National Suicide Prevention Lifeline If you have symptoms of a UTI on a weekend, get help at the CMHWalk-In Clinic, open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Call 417-777-4800 for information. WELLNESS