A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary system; kidneys, ureters, the bladder, two sphincter muscles and the urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract: the bladder and the urethra.
Women fare at a higher risk of suffering from a UTI more than men. Infection limited to the bladder can be painful and equally annoying, however, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to the kidneys. Doctors usually would treat urinary tract infections with antibiotics but steps can be taken to reduce the chances of contracting a UTI in the first place; prevention they say is better than cure and also cheaper.
Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
Factors that can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI include:
- Sexual intercourse, especially if more frequent, intense, and with multiple or new partners.
- Diabetes
- Poor personal hygiene
- Problems emptying the bladder completely
- Having a urinary catheter
- Bowel incontinence
- Blocked flow of urine
- Kidney stones
- Some forms of contraception
- pregnancy
- menopause
- use of spermicides and tampons
- heavy use of antibiotics, which can disrupt the natural flora of the bowel and urinary tract
Just as there are seemingly easy ways to contract a UTI, there are just as many ways to fight them off, and none of them involves repeatedly stuffing down antibiotics. If you’re prone to UTIs, taking advantage of one or a combination of the following protocols should significantly reduce your susceptibility:
- Never miss an opportunity to use the restroom. Doing so will keep bacteria moving out of your system instead of hanging around too long and replicating.
- Drink a lot of fluids to help dilute and keep moving bacteria out of your system.
- Avoid sugar intake, it feeds the bacteria.
- Wipe properly, always from front to back.
- Urinate shortly after sex.
- Keep the genital area clean.
- Sanitary pads or menstrual cups are preferred to tampons.
- Avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide for birth control.
- Avoid using any perfumed products in the genital area.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing to keep the area around the urethra dry.
