If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection, just hearing those
three little letters—UTI—probably makes you cringe. UTIs are
painful, disruptive and are often repeat offenders: Up to 30% of
women who have a UTI will get another within 6 months, notes
Harvard. So if you’ve got a UTI, are you doomed to a lifetime of them? Not
necessarily. Here’s how to get relief and prevent them from coming
back.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an
infection in the organs that make up your urinary system, including
your urethra, kidneys, or bladder. The
CDC
notes that these organs work together to filter and remove our
body’s waste. If bacteria from outside of the body finds its way
into that system, an infection can occur. Women are at a greater
risk for UTIs than their male counterparts, since their urethras are
shorter and closer to the rectum, meaning bacteria has a shorter
distance to travel. UTIs can typically be cleared up with
antibiotics, but left untreated, they could spread to the kidneys
and create a more serious problem.
What are the symptoms of a UTI?
Sometimes, UTIs don’t present any symptoms, or
only very mild ones. But it’s common to see any of the following:
- An urgent, persistent need to urinate
-
Passing a small amount of urine despite strong sensation to
urinate
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Lower back or pelvic pain
- Strong-smelling urine
- Pain during sex
- Confusion (in older adults)
What do I do if I think I have a UTI?
If you are presenting any of the symptoms of a
UTI, get in touch with your clinician. They’ll listen to your
symptoms, determine if you have a UTI (possibly through a urine
sample), and likely prescribe an antibiotic. If you have painful
symptoms, there are a few steps you can take to relieve symptoms
until the meds kick in, according to
Mayo Clinic:
-
Drink plenty of water. It might feel
counterintuitive or even uncomfortable to pump your body with
liquids if it’s painful to pee. But the more you drink, the more
your body will be forced to flush out the bacteria that’s
infecting you. Stay away from sugary, alcoholic, or caffeinated
drinks, though, since the ingredients in those can cause your
infection to flare up.
-
Soothe with heat. A heating pad is a safe and
effective way to treat pain from the infection. But avoid sitting
in a warm bath or hot tub, as this might invite more bacteria into
your urethra.
-
Urinate frequently. You might find yourself
running to the bathroom constantly, but only passing a trickle of
liquid. It seems repetitive, but continue to urinate every time
you have the urge—keeping your bladder empty is key for preventing
more bacteria growth.
-
Try cranberry juice, with caution. You may have
heard that cranberry juice is a cure for UTIs. This needs to be
studied more
to be conclusive. But if you enjoy a glass of pure cranberry juice
without added sugars, it can be worth a try to see if it relieves
your symptoms.
How can I prevent a UTI?
Some women are more prone to recurrent UTIs.
If that’s you, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk.
Here’s what the
CDC
recommends:
-
Practice smart hygiene. Bacteria thrives in warm,
moist environments, so avoid creating one. Change underwear, pads,
and tampons frequently; dry completely after a shower; avoid
tight-fitting clothing that traps wetness; and pee after sex to
flush out any bacteria.
-
Wipe from front to back. The other way around
makes it easier for bacteria from the rectum to enter your
urethra.
-
Hydrate and urinate. Even when you don’t have an
infection, try to stay hydrated and empty your bladder frequently,
so that you’re constantly flushing out bacteria and not giving it
time to grow.
-
Ask your clinician about other conditions. Occasionally, frequent UTIs can be an indication that your body
is dealing with a different underlying health issue, including
diabetes. Be sure to mention other symptoms to your clinician and
ask them to run some blood work to identify if there’s another
culprit behind the infections.
-
Avoid flare-up foods. If you have frequent UTIs,
you might find that eliminating certain foods from your diet can
help prevent future infections. Bacteria loves sugar, so consider
ignoring your sweet tooth. Additionally, coffee, alcohol, sugary
drinks, and the acid from spicy foods or citrus fruits can all
irritate your bladder.
Have more questions about UTIs, or think you might have one? Open
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