A Guide to Preventing Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection or UTI refers to an infection in any part of your urinary system which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. The best kidney doctors in Delhi suggest that women are at a higher risk of developing UTI as compared to men. Lower urinary tract infections are much more common and can be quite painful and annoying.

Urinary tract infections are not always associated with major symptoms, however, in some cases, it may give rise to the following:

·       Frequent or persistent urge to urinate

·       Pain and burning sensation while urinating

·       Reduced flow of urine

·       Cloudy urine

·       Traces of blood in the urine

·       Pungent smelling urine

·       Pelvic pain and comfort

If left untreated, the infection can spread to your kidneys and lead to grave complications. Urinary tract infection is treatable if you seek proper medical help. You will be surprised to know that the risks of urinary tract infections can be significantly lowered if you bring some healthy changes in your lifestyle. Urinary tract infections can drastically impact the quality of your life; however, you can easily keep the problem at bay by following these simple tips:

·       Practice good personal hygiene - Your personal hygiene plays a key role in determining your vulnerability to developing urinary tract infections. This especially holds for women as their urethra is much shorter as compared to men. As such it is easier for E. coli bacteria to make their way into the body via the rectum. As such it is very important to keep that area clean. Experts from the best hospitalin India suggest that women should pay extra attention to their personal hygiene during menstruation. Avoid using the same pad or tampon for a long period of time and change frequently. Properly wipe from front to back after urinary or bowel movement. Avoid using public lavatories and even if there is an emergency make sure you do not come in contact with the seat. Public lavatories are one of the major sources of urinary tract infections.

·      Keep yourself well hydrated - Increasing your water intake can do wonders. Drinking excess water results in frequent urination, which in turn helps to clean your urinary tract. Even doctors specialising in kidney transplant in India recommend 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, to cut down the risks of various chronic kidney problems. Make it a habit to drink a lukewarm glass of water right after you wake up and before you go to bed. This helps to keep your system clean

·       Give up habits that negatively impact your urinary system - There are a lot of things that we do in our day-to-day life which affect the normal functioning of our urinary system. Urination is important as it helps to get rid of unwanted wastes and bacteria from the body. Taking plenty of fluids is very important to keep the urine however it is important to understand that not all fluids are good for you. It is very important to cut down on the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and citrus juices as these can irritate your bladder and make things harder for you. You should try fresh homemade juice instead.

·    Urinating before and after sex - Well this is something not most of you must be knowing. Urinating immediately before and after sex help to prevent urinary tract infection. Urinating and washing the genital area before sex helps to remove bacteria that might enter your body during intercourse and urinating immediately after sex can help to flush out the bacteria that may have entered your body during sex.

·      Try changing your birth control - Certain birth control techniques like the use of diaphragm can elevate the risk of UTI. There are various other options that you can opt for with lowered risks of urinary tract infections. You should try considering these after consulting with your doctor.

·      Use water-based lubricant during sex - No doubt there is a wide variety of options available in the market but you should go with water-based ones. If you are prone to developing urinary tract infections to avoid using spermicide

·      Change your clothes - Avoid wearing tight fitted undies and prefer comfort over style. This can help to keep the area dry and prevent the growth of bacteria. It is better to wear cotton clothes rather than synthetic ones.