6 Tips for Preventing and Managing UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are no fun. Just ask the in 1 out of 5 women who’ve had one at some point in their life. 

UTIs can involve any portion of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, the small tube-like structure that carries urine from your kidney to your bladder (ureter), or the small tube that carries urine out of your body from your bladder (urethra).

Most infections, however, develop in the lower urinary tract, the bladder, and urethra. Many more women than men get UTIs, though they can also happen to men and children.

Basic UTIs are easily treated with antibiotics but can become dangerous to your health if they move into your kidneys. 

That’s why the healthcare professionals at Gulf West Medical Associates in Port Richey, Florida, focus on providing preventive healthcare. Our team, led by Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician, Dr. Rajesh Daver, advises you to seek medical care as soon as you suspect a UTI.

If you have frequent recurrent UTIs, further evaluation to determine the underlying factors may increase your risk, such as changes related to menopause. They can then develop a treatment strategy that helps reduce your odds of developing UTIs.

Whether it’s your first UTI or you’re an experienced veteran, there are some things you can do at home to relieve your symptoms and help speed your healing.

Tips for dealing with a UTI include: 

1. Recognize the signs 

Every case is different, but there are signals your body sends that may indicate you’re experiencing a UTI. These can include:

• Frequent and strong urge to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Burning discomfort with urination
• Cloudy urine that may have a strong smell
• Urine that appears red, pink, or cola-colored, which may indicate blood in the urine
• Pelvic pain that is typically focused in the center of the lower abdomen

As with most medical conditions, early intervention for a UTI often helps speed recovery and decreases your risk of developing a more severe or complex infection. 

2. Drink lots of water – and then drink some more.

It may sound like a simplistic answer to helping cure an infection, but drinking plenty of water means you’ll urinate more frequently. This helps flush the infection-causing bacteria from your body and can also help prevent UTIs.

Other fluids, especially cranberry juice, have a reputation for helping clear UTIs. Research continues to flip-flop over the benefit of cranberries, but it certainly won’t hurt – unless you’re taking a blood thinner like warfarin or aspirin. In that case, stick with water, and skip the cranberry juice.

Avoid citrus juices and fruits when you have a UTI since oranges, grapefruits, and the like can irritate a sensitive bladder. Alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages can also irritate your urinary tract and increase discomfort when you have an infection.

3. Don’t hold your urine.

 Women are exceptionally skilled at holding their urine for extended periods. This helps increase the risk of bacteria hanging around in your urinary tract long enough to divide and conquer.

Men and women should use the bathroom whenever they feel the urge, especially when they have a UTI so that infection-causing bacteria are flushed out of their system. And be sure you take the time to empty your bladder every time. 

4. Build up your immune system.

 Sticking with a nutritious diet, an appropriate exercise routine, and carefully managing medical conditions such as diabetes are excellent ways to give your immune system the support it needs to combat infections. Probiotics and other supplements, such as vitamin C and garlic, can also help keep your immune system functioning at an optimal level, which may give you an edge in fighting a UTI. 

5. Try a heating pad.

For pain in the pelvic region during a UTI, try applying a warm (never hot) heating pad to your lower abdomen to soothe bladder pressure and discomfort.

6. Wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Tight jeans and clothing that refuses to “breathe” can worsen the irritation you experience from a UTI and may even create a moist environment that encourages the bacteria to form in the first place.

If you suspect you have a UTI, book an appointment with Gulf West Medical Associates today by calling our office at 727-848-0247 or using our online booking tool.