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Health @ Home
Urinary Tract Infections
About one out of five women will get a
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) during her lifetime. Men get UTIs too, but not as often as
women do.
Your urinary tract is made up of:
- Kidneys
- Ureters (tubes that convey urine from the kidneys to the bladder)
- Urinary bladder
- Urethra (tube through which urine leaves the body)
Usually, bacteria enter through the
urethra and ascend up. They grow in the bladder and may reach the kidneys. Bacteria can
get into the bladder after a sexual intercourse. You should go to the bathroom right after
sex to flush these bacteria out. Changes that happen during pregnancy and after menopause
make you more susceptible to UTIs.
Irritation to the opening of the
urethra can lead to the inflammation of the bladder (cystitis). Rarely this infection may
ascend up to the kidneys and cause infection of the kidneys (Pylonephritis).
The common symptoms of UTI are:
- A strong urge to urinate
- A more frequent urination than usual
- A sharp pain or burning sensation when urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Feeling like your bladder is still full even after urinating
- Soreness in your abdomen, back or sides
- Fever with chills, nausea.
See a doctor if you have any of the
above mentioned symptoms. A UTI can be very dangerous and should not be taken lightly. You
might be put on a course of antibiotics after testing your urine.
How to avoid UTIs?
Here are some tips you can follow to
avoid UTIs:
- If you are a woman, wipe from the front to back after using the toilet to
keep bacteria away from your urethra.
- Drink plenty of water and fluids, at least 3 to 4 litres per day. Drink
plenty of fruit juices to maintain the electrolyte balance of your body
- Empty your bladder when you feel the urge. Do not give bacteria a chance to
grow.
- Drink a glass of water before sex and urinate after you have had sex even
if you do not feel like it. This will flush the urethra of any bacteria.
- Wear cotton underwear as it keeps you cool and dry, decreasing the chance
of bacterial infections.
- Don’t wear tight jeans or underwears.
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