Tips for Keeping UTIs at Bay

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) make your life miserable until they finally resolve. If you’ve ever had a UTI, you know that once is enough. Unfortunately, they’re pretty common, and they tend to return:

• Annually, up to 10 million American adults are treated for UTIs
• Half of all women experience at least one UTI during their life
• Women are 30 times more likely to get a UTI than men
• About 40% of women who get one UTI get another within six months

Those dismal statistics make UTIs seem inevitable, but there’s a lot you can do to prevent them. 

Here, Dr. Amos Ladouceur and our Weekend Urgent Care team in View Park, California, explain the basics of urinary tract infections and offer some practical tips for sidestepping the problem.

UTIs 101

A UTI occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract, which includes your bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. 

Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria in your gut, causes most UTIs. If you ignore your symptoms and don’t treat your UTI, it can lead to severe complications such as kidney infections.

Recognizing signs of UTIs

Early detection is your best defense against a UTI, so it’s wise to know what to look for. 

Common symptoms include a burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, cloudy or strong-smelling urine, and lower abdominal pain. If you have a severe UTI, you may have a fever, blood in your urine, a backache, and nausea.

How to prevent UTIs

The good news is that several preventive measures can significantly reduce your risk of developing UTIs. Here’s what Dr. Ladouceur recommends.

Water, water, water

Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, dilutes your urine and ensures that you urinate more frequently — allowing your urinary tract to flush out bacteria before an infection can begin.

Urinate regularly, and don’t hold it

Avoid holding in urine for long periods. It’s best to urinate as soon as you feel the urge.

Eat with your urinary tract in mind

Your diet affects your urinary tract. For instance, eating more fruits, vegetables, and fiber boosts your immune system and prevents bacterial growth.

Practice good hygiene

Because bacteria is the culprit behind UTIs, do your best to keep it out of your urinary tract. After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from entering — and if you have daughters, teach this habit during potty training.

Urinate after sex

Sex introduces bacteria to your genitals. You can whisk them away by urinating afterward. And if you use a lubricant, choose a water-based one.

Don’t wear damp undies

Damp or wet underwear breeds bacteria, so change your clothes after a workout or a swim.

Loosen up

Tight clothing traps bacteria that can cause UTIs. Wearing looser pants and fabrics that breathe help you stave off UTIs.

When to seek professional help for UTIs

If you experience signs of a UTI, call us right away. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection, but Dr. Ladouceur may recommend additional tests or treatments if you have recurrent UTIs.

Call or click to schedule an appointment at Weekend Urgent Care — we’re open seven days a week.