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Did You Know? Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the third most common infection experienced by humans after respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The National Kidney Foundation states one in five women will have at least one UTI in her lifetime.
PDrink plenty of water. Water helps to dilute your urine and flush out bacteria. Experts recommend drinking 3-4 litres of water in a day, but people can check with their doctor how much water they need, as too much may not be beneficial. You can also add cranberry juice since studies suggest that it helps. (However, don’t drink cranberry juice if you’re taking blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin.)
Go to the bathroom as soon as you have the urge. One of the symptoms of a UTI is pain when urinating. For this reason, it can be tempting to avoid using the bathroom. However, experts advise people to urinate as and when they need to or every 2–3 hours. Holding urine in may cause bacteria to multiply.
Among women, after every menses, if they do not maintain personal hygiene, they may get repeated UTIs. Wiping the toilet seat is important especially if you are using a public toilet. Intercourse can also cause UTI if one is not taking proper hygiene care. If one of the partners is having an infection, using a condom is a must. Make sure to wipe from front to back. Make a trip to the bathroom before and after sex. Enjoy baths? That’s OK every once in a while, but take showers more often than you soak.
Tight pants aren’t in style for your pelvic health. Avoid wearing tight-fitting pants, they can trap moisture. Loose-fitting clothing can prevent moisture from accumulating in the pelvic area. This may help stop the infection from getting worse. Wear breathable underwear, preferably with a cotton crotch.
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