How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infection

Posted on October 20th, 2009 by aileen

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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) due to the presence of bacteria anywhere within the urinary tract. The most common organisms that caused UTI are Escherichia Coli (E.Coli). Here are some things you should know to avoid having a Urinary Tract Infection.

Risk Factors

Women are at higher risk of having UTI than men because they have shorter urethra. Bacteria can easily travel up to the bladder.
Sexually Active individuals are also at risk of UTI.
Women using diaphragms and spermicidal agents may also have UTI.
Menopause increases a woman’s risk of getting UTI as hormonal imbalances occur. The vagina dries up and becomes more prone to infection because of estrogen loss.
Obstructions, like kidney stones may cause pooling of urine and promote bacterial growth.
Using a catheter for a long time also puts you at risk of a urinary tract infection, especially if you don’t know the proper way of using a catheter.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection depends on the affected part.

General Symptoms:

Frequent and strong urge to urinate
Burning feeling when urinating
Hematuria, or presence of blood in the urine
Passing of urine that is cloudy with foul odor.

Symptoms of Pyelonephritis, an infection located in the kidneys include:

Fever
Flank pain
Chills
Nausea and Vomiting

Cystitis, an infection in the bladder may have any of the following symptoms:

Pressure on the pelvic area
Pain when urinating
Fever
Discomfort felt on the lower abdomen

Medications

Antibiotic therapy is the first line treatment for an uncomplicated urinary tract infection. If the infection leads to complications, you may need to be given additional treatments or be confined in the hospital. Here is a list of the most common anti bacterial medications used for UTI.

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Sulfamethoxazole- trimethoprim (Bactrim)
Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin)

Home Care

Follow doctor’s orders. Your infection may be gone after 2 or 3 days of antibiotic therapy, but your doctor may require you to take the medicine for about a week. Don’ stop taking the antibiotic unless told to do so. This is to make sure that all bacteria are killed.
Avoid drinking coffee, alcohol and carbonated drinks. These fluids can make your infection worse.
Place warm compress over your lower abdomen to relieve discomfort. This will also decrease the pressure on your bladder.
Urinate when you have to, even when you’re only passing small amounts of urine each time.
Drink cranberry juice. People say cranberry juice helps prevent bacteria from growing in your urinary tract.
Echinacea and Oregon grape root are said to help fight off urinary tract infection.
Increase your Vitamin C. Vitamin C makes your urine more acidic, preventing bacteria from thriving in your urinary tract.

Prevention

Drink lots and lots of fluids to get rid of wastes and bacteria in your body.
Don’t use scented douches, feminine tissues and hygiene sprays. These things contain chemicals that may irritate your genitalia.
When washing, wipe from front to back to avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to your vagina or urethra.
Wash your genitals before and after sexual intercourse.
There are certain foods that are said to cause UTI. Here are some examples of foods you should avoid or eat in moderation:
- Processed Foods
- Chocolates and dairy products
- Spicy foods
- Caffeine
- Alcoholic drinks
- Carbonated drinks
Avoid tight-fitting bottoms and use cotton underwear. Bacteria thrive in a moist, warm environment. Cotton can effectively absorb moisture compared to other materials. Wearing tight-fitting bottoms won’t allow air to pass through your genitals.