Urinary tract infections are nothing to overlook. They occur for a lot of reasons, but generally result from bacteria overgrowth within the urinary tract.
They can happen to men and women. They can also occur in children. When they do occur, they can be painful or mild. In all situations, though, they need to be properly treated to ensure that you remain healthy and that the condition does not spread upwards and cause problems with your kidney function. If you have a urinary tract infection now, it is important to seek out medical attention to treat it. Then, it may be time to talk about preventing them from coming back.
How to Prevent UTIs
The first step is to understand what is causing you urinary tract infections. Talk to your doctor about them as well as how frequently you get them. Then, determine what steps are right for you to take to reduce the risk of developing them again. The good news is you may be able to reduce these risks quickly and significantly. Some ways to reduce urinary tract infection risks include:
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- Drink a great deal of fluids. These fluids, especially water, are vital to your kidney function. It also helps to flush out the bacteria that is built up in the urinary tract that is causing the infection to occur. In some cases of mild infections, this may be all you need to do.
- Be sure that you empty your bladder all of the way each time you urinate. Removing as much from your bladder as possible each time helps to keep your kidneys working properly.
- Do not hold your urine for too long. Go to the bathroom as soon as your body tells you that you need to do so. This urge to go isn’t one to avoid since this can worsen your symptoms.
- Proper cleanliness of this area is also important. Bathing properly, avoiding the use of cosmetic products or those with floral scents, and ensuring the area is cleaned with each use can also help. For men that are uncircumcised, it is also important to ensure the foreskin is cleaned.
Taking each one of these steps is important to protecting your kidney and urinary tract health. If you do experience urinary tract infections, schedule a consultation with our urologist in New York to learn more about the options available to you for treating it.