How to Prevent Recurrent UTIs
The itching, burning, and urgency to urinate from a urinary tract infection (UTI) are never convenient and always annoying. But if they keep coming back, they cross the line into disruptive and even health-threatening situations.
If you’re one of the 25%-30% of women who can’t seem to stop UTIs from recurring, our first concern is to get your current infection under control, and our second is to help you keep future UTIs at bay. At WiseCare Urgent Care in Pasadena and Severna Park, Maryland, we offer comprehensive primary care and spur-of-the-moment urgent care to help women deal with this very common problem every day.
For those who suffer from UTIs that keep coming back, Dr. Perry Weisman, our experienced primary care physician, offers these practical tips for warding off future urinary tract infections.
Understanding UTIs
A UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. They typically occur when bacteria enter through the urethra, and the infection can occur anywhere in the tract, including the bladder and kidneys.
Although men can get UTIs, women get them more often because their urethras are shorter and situated closer to the rectum, a major source of bacteria. When men get UTIs, it’s usually related to a structural problem, such as an enlarged prostate.
Sexual activity and poor hygiene may also be the culprits, as anything that introduces bacteria into the area facilitates infection.
Symptoms of a UTI include:
The frequent need to urinate, even after you’ve emptied your bladder
Pain or a burning sensation when you urinate
Blood-tinged urine
Cramping or pressure in the lower abdomen
In severe cases, untreated UTIs can lead to complications, indicated by fever, chills, low back pain, and nausea or vomiting.
We can prescribe a course of antibiotics to clear your UTI quickly. But once you’ve had one, you may be prone to recurrent episodes. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done something wrong; some people are just more susceptible to UTIs than others. But there are some things you can do to prevent them.
Tips for avoiding UTIs
While we can’t guarantee any of these tips will protect you from UTIs completely, they give you the best chance of keeping bacteria out of your urethra and out of your urinary tract.
Drink plenty of water
Urinate after you have sex
Don’t douche
Avoid powders, sprays, and perfumes in your genital area
Don’t use spermicides
After using the restroom, wipe from front to back
Avoid tight pants and undergarments
Don’t linger in damp underwear or pants
Empty your bladder when you go
Ditch the bath; take a shower
Flushing your bladder completely can help keep bacteria away, and you can help ensure this by staying well hydrated, urinating after sex, and making sure you empty your bladder.
What to do when you get a UTI
If you ignore your UTI, your body may be able to fight the infection independently, but if it can’t, you may be at risk for complications, such as urosepsis. This occurs when the infection spreads beyond your bladder and into your kidneys and ureters.
In addition to the symptoms of a UTI, you may experience:
Reduced amount of urine
Pain near your kidneys
Fatigue
High fever
Extreme sweating
Anxiety
Rapid breathing
If urosepsis progresses, it can lead to septic shock, a life-threatening condition that makes your blood pressure plummet to a dangerously low level.
To avoid these complications, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment right away when you have a UTI. Dr. Weisman prescribes the appropriate antibiotic to clear up your infection and works with you to prevent future UTIs. He may recommend preventive antibiotics that you can take after sex or at the first sign of a new UTI.
To clear up your UTI and prevent the recurring problem, schedule an appointment today or walk in — we’re ready to help when you need us.