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Elka W. Easter, MSN, CNM is a nurse in Philadelphia, PA specializing in obstetrics & gynecology (ob/gyn) and midwifery.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, happens when bacteria enter the body through the opening where urine is normally released. The bacteria infect the lining of the urethra and bladder, turning them red and inflamed. This causes pain in the abdomen or pelvic area, a burning sensation during urination, a sense of urgency about going to the bathroom, frequent urination, and urine that smells bad and looks cloudy, or even contains traces of blood. If the urinary tract infection is severe, it may travel all the way to the kidneys, a more serious kind of UTI called pyelonephritis. Patients with this kidney infection might have blood in their urine, feel back pain, and develop a fever.
Urinary tract infections are extremely common: 12% of all men and 40-50% of all women will have a urinary tract infection during their lifetime. They are more common in women because women have shorter urethras, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel from the outside of the body to the bladder and cause an infection. Some people also have urethras that are an unusual shape or have an obstruction in the urethra that makes getting a UTI more likely. Also, certain chronic illnesses like diabetes weaken the immune system, so any bacteria in the body are more likely to cause an infection.
A urinary tract infection can be diagnosed very quickly by a doctor. A sample of urine can be examined under a microscope for the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. There are also diagnostic strips that can be used to test a urine sample without the need for a microscope. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment is a course of oral antibiotics, and most patients feel better within just a few days. There are some things that patients can do themselves to help reduce the risk of getting a urinary tract infection in the future. Stay well hydrated, wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom, wear breathable cotton undergarments, and don't hold it in when patients feel the urge to go.
She is certified by the Board certifications: Nurse Midwifery and has a state license in Pennsylvania.
Board Certification: Board certifications: Nurse Midwifery (2008)
Licensed In: Pennsylvania
Elka W. Easter, MSN, CNM appears to accept the following insurance providers: Group Health Plan (GHP), First Health PPO, Aetna POS, Community Care Network (CCN), Coventry, Aetna HMO, Aetna Signature Administrators, CIGNA PPO, CIGNA POS, CIGNA HMO, Aetna Savings Plus, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Gold, AmeriHealth, AARP, Medicare Advantage, First Health POS, First Health HMO, HealthSpring, Geisinger Health Plan, US Family Health Plan, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Oxford HMO, Oxford PPO, First Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Qualcare PPO, Perennial Advantage Institutional Special Needs Plan (I-SNP), Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Platinum HMO POS, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Workers Comp, Highmark Blue Shield First Priority Life (FPLIC) - AffordaBlue PPO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Prime, Aetna Advantra Credit Value, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Flex Plus PPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Keystone HMO, Clover Health Classic HMO, Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Blue PPO, Devoted Health Core Pennsylvania (HMO), Railroad Medicare/Palmetto GBA, Clover Health Choice, PA Health & Wellness Ambetter, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Giveback, Qualcare POS, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Complete, Oscar Health Plan of Pennsylvania HMO, Meritain - Aramark (Other), Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Personal Choice EPO, Qualcare Workers Comp, UPMC Health Plan Community HealthChoices, Keystone Health Plan East Keystone65 (Essential, Basic, Select, Liberty) HMO, Claim Watcher (Homestead/ INDECs) Open Access, Aetna Advantra Value, Aetna Advantra Eagle POS, Imagine Health (Imagine Health 360) EPO, Highmark Blue Shield My Blue Access PPO, PA Health & Wellness Allwell - HMO, Highmark Blue Shield My Direct Blue EPO, UPMC Health Plan - UPMC for You (PA HealthChoices), Aetna Advantra Premier Plus PPO, Highmark Blue Shield BlueCare Custom PPO, BS of New Jersey Advantage - EPO, WellKids CHIP, Aetna Premier, Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway Health) Assured Ruby HMO SNP, Devoted Health Choice Plus Pennsylvania (PPO), Keystone Health Plan East POS, Devoted Health Choice Pennsylvania (PPO), PA Health & Wellness Community HealthChoices, Highmark Blue Shield Complete Blue PPO Premier, Keystone Autism Services, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Special, Highmark Wholecare (formerly Gateway Health) Payor Access Agreement, Aetna Flexible Five, Devoted Health Giveback Pennsylvania (HMO), Highmark Blue Shield PPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) HMO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners (PA HealthChoices; includes CHIP), Centivo EPO, Aetna Better Health Kids (CHIP) - DH Only, PA Health & Wellness Allwell - PPO, Preferred Health Care/Eliance PPO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Dual Pearl SNP, Oxford Health Plan POS, Aetna Advantra Cares D-SNP, Highmark Blue Shield Complete Blue PPO Choice Deluxe, Aetna APCN Plus (Multi-Tier), Aetna Premier Plus, Highmark Wholecare (formerly) Gateway Health) Assured Diamond HMO SNP, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Proactive HMO, Medicare - Pennsylvania, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Personal Choice 65 (Prime, Saver, Elite) PPO, Aetna Philly Prime, Clover Health Choice Value PPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Behavioral Health, Meritain - Aramark (Pennsylvania Premier Medical Plan), Aetna Upfront Advantage, Keystone First - CHIP Health Plan, Devoted Health Dual Plus Pennsylvania (HMO D-SNP), Aetna Freedom Core, Qualcare HMO, Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Flex, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) PPO, PA Health & Wellness Allwell - SNP, Aetna Advantra Eagle HMO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) Personal Choice PPO, Aetna Advantra Value Plus, Preferred Health Care/Eliance EPO, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) POS, Clover Health Value, Aetna Student Health Plan PPO, Aetna PPO APCN, Devoted Health Choice Giveback Pennsylvania (PPO), Jefferson Health Plans/Health Partners Silver and Keystone Health Plan East HMO.
According to our sources, Elka W. Easter, MSN, CNM accepts the following insurance providers:
Elka W. Easter, MSN, CNM has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 377 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Elka W. Easter, MSN, CNM from all over the web to help you find the right in Philadelphia, PA.
Ms. Elka Easter specializes in midwifery and obstetrics & gynecology. On average, patients gave her a rating of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Ms. Easter's clinical interests include menopause, reproductive health, and gynecologic exams. She can accept Blue California, Coventry, and Geisinger Health Plan, as well as other insurance carriers. Penn Medicine reports that she is accepting new patients at her office in Philadelphia, PA.
