Urinary Tract Infections are painful and preventable

Many people suffer from Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), nearly nine million, and the majority of them are women. For those who get them often, you know the symptoms, and they often include pain and pressure. UTIs are preventable; you just have to start early.

Causes

Bacteria from the bowel that lives near the rectum area can travel into the urethra and into the urinary tract causing infection in the bladder and other areas of the urinary tract. Since the female anatomy causes women to be more open to getting a UTI, sexual intercourse can be a contributor to UTI. This can occur if women have multiple partners or have sex quite frequently.

Waiting too long to urinate is another cause and weakens the bladder muscles. When weakened, urine is not always completely emptied out and some is left, causing an infection.

Other contributors to UTI is diabetes, menopause, having several bladder infections or UTI when you were a child, and pregnancy. During pregnancy, if a UTI is left untreated, it could lead to preterm contractions.

UTI Symptoms

• Urges to urinate that can’t be stopped
• Burning or pain when you go
• Only a small amount of urine comes out
• Urine has blood in it
• Soreness in the abdomen, sides or back
• Urinating frequently

When the infection spreads to the kidneys, you may have other symptoms like:

• vomiting
• fever
• nausea
• chills

Prevention

• Drink plenty of fluids, mainly plain water to flush out the urinary tract
• Drinking cranberry juice is a natural way of preventing and recovering (two 4 oz. of cranberry juice a day)
• Before sexual intercourse, wash the genital area prior to and after
• Go to the restroom as soon as you feel the urge
• Take showers versus baths
• Wear cotton panties
• After a bowel movement wipe from front to back
• Don’t use feminine douches and hygiene sprays, especially scented douches
• Take Vitamin C supplements

Source:

About.com, 10 Ways to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections or UTI, retrieved November 12, 2008 from http://womenshealth.about.com/od/urinarytractinfections/a/preventuti.htm 

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