How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infection In Simple Ways

Urinary tract infection occurs when there is an infection in the urinary tract of the body, which is the bladder, kidney and the connecting tubes. This infection occurs because of germs in the system, which usually enter through the urethra. Women are more prone to getting urinary tract infections, as they have a shorter urethra compared to men.

There is an increased likeliness to get this if you do not have enough fluids, if you are pregnant or if you have diabetes. Symptoms of urinary tract infection include pain or burning sensation when you urinate, frequent urination, swollen belly, nausea, vomiting, fever and chills.

A bladder infection is not very serious; however, if the infection moves to the kidneys, then it can prove to be damaging. It is therefore important to prevent urinary tract infection by following the right hygiene and diet.

Preventive Measures For Urinary Tract Infection

Hygiene

It is critical to maintain basic hygiene when you wish to prevent urinary infection. Remember to sanitize the toilet seat before using it, in case you are using toilets in public places. After the bowel movements, wash the area around the anus gently, wiping from the front to the back. Never clean twice with same tissue. Any cleaning motion which begins nearer to the rectum and approaches the bladder-opening area gets the pathogenic bacteria nearer to bladder. You must remember to wash both the front and the back.

Always wash from front to back after making use of bathroom. Avoid reaching from behind as the germs from rectum may be moved to the tissue and the hand. Stay away from expanded baths and take only showers. Bathing water can become contaminated very quickly by bather’s skin florae. Also remember to avoid sitting in the tub, as this allows bacteria to contact the bladder area. Another part of urinary hygiene is to not hold back urine. You must pass urine whenever there is a feeling to do so; as avoiding urination can also result in increased germ buildup.

Clothing

Clothing also plays an important role in preventing urinary infection. Do not put on tight fitting undergarments made from synthetic or rough material. When the fabric used is not appropriate, there is a chance of increased moisture in the area.

As a result, there may be skin maceration as well as bacterial growth alongside the opening of the bladder. Therefore it is always better to use cotton underwear which is of the right size, allowing sufficient air to pass.

Diet

It is important to always drink atleast 6 to 8 glasses of water in the day. If you are not used to this, you should begin with 1 additional glass with every meal. If you find your urine is dark yellow instead of pale yellow, then one of the reasons could be that you are not drinking enough water.

You must immediately raise the fluid consumption. In addition to having water, you must also include soups, juices and green tea as a part of the daily diet. This helps in increasing the fluid intake of the body. It is believed that cranberry pills and cranberry juice have benefits of reducing urinary tract infections, especially in the case of young women. In addition to this, you must consume fiber rich food, such that your bowel movements are fine.

Activities

An important preventive measure would be to ensure that you have sufficient activities. While engaging in exercise and physical activity, ensure to drink lots of water and other fluids and also remember to empty the bladder frequently. Engage in regular walks and yoga to keep your urinary area flexible and active. Another important point to remember is the precaution to be taken after the sexual activity.

Sex can also increase the risk of contracting urinary infection, as it may introduce bacteria in the bladder area. Your bladder needs to be emptied following a sexual activity and you must drink 2 additional glasses of water. If you have been advised to taken medications following sexual activity, then you must ensure to follow the physician’s recommendation. Stay away from using spermicidal jelly. It kills the sperms and usual vaginal florae that are very important in containing colonization with the pathogenic bacteria.

Medications

Any estrogen vaginal cream can help in fighting bladder infections. This can be recommended for women following menopause although an oral estrogen supplement may have already been prescribed.

The cream helps in keeping the tissues around the bladder healthy as well oppose infection. When you take medications to prevent urinary tract infection, it is important to follow the guidelines of the doctor accurately to avoid any other complications.