Why Am I Getting Urinary Tract Infections

Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented Or Avoided

Urinary Tract Infection | How To Prevent UTI (2018)

There are many lifestyle choices that can help you prevent UTIs. These are some of the things you can do to protect yourself from them:

Drink plenty of water to flush out bacteria. For some people, drinking cranberry juice may also help prevent urinary tract infections. However, if youre taking warfarin, check with your doctor before using cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infections. Your doctor may need to adjust your warfarin dose or you may need to have more frequent blood tests.
Dont hold your urine. Urinate when you feel like you need to. Some children dont go to the bathroom often enough. If your child does this, teach him or her to go to the bathroom several times each day.
Wipe from front to back after bowel movements. Teach your child to wipe correctly.
Urinate after having sex to help wash away bacteria.
Use enough lubrication during sex. Try using a small amount of lubricant before sex if youre a little dry.
If you get urinary tract infections often, you may want to avoid using a diaphragm as a birth control method. Ask your doctor about other birth control choices.
Avoid taking or giving your child bubble baths.
Wear loose-fitting clothing , and dress your child in loose-fitting clothing.
If you are uncircumcised, wash the foreskin regularly. If you have an uncircumcised boy, teach him how to wash his foreskin.

Reasons You May Be Getting Recurring Utis

Posted on by Cleveland Urologyin Female Urology, Urinary Tract Infection

A UTI is an infection in any part of your urinary tract. Having one UTI is painful enough, but having them come back can be quite frustrating. If you get three or more of these infections within a year, this recurrence is known as chronic. However, the reasons you may be getting recurring UTIs might surprise you. Time to find out why and what to do about it.

Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:

Drink plenty of water every day.
Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
Take showers instead of tub baths.
Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.

Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.

Why Does Sex Cause Urinary Tract Infections

Many women suffer from urinary tract infections or UTIs after sex. This isnt always the case. Some women never end up with a UTI. Intercourse can increase your chances of getting a bladder infection, however. Eagles Landing OB/GYN explains below the correlation between sex and UTIs, how you can avoid them, and what to do if you get a bladder infection.

Not Treating The Infection Long Enough

recognize the signs of a urinary tract infection and distinguish ...

It used to seem like the standard length of treatment for a urinary tract infection was a week, but now veterinarians know that many times the course of antibiotics is determined by a number of factors: how old the dog is, how bad the infection is, whether the infection is caused by a rod or a cocci-type bacteria, the overall health of the dog, etc.

The bottom line is that no two dogs are the same. Therefore I have many different treatments when it comes to UTIs. I might do 7 days of antibiotics in a mild case in a young dog. However, I could easily do 14 days of a very strong antibiotic in an older dog or one that has other health conditions .

How do you know if the infection wasnt treated long enough? That likely happens when a culture is done and it turns out that the antibiotic your dog was on was the right one.

How do you prevent this from happening ? The way I do it in my practice is to check a urine sample 3-4 days after the antibiotics are finished. Other veterinarians will likely vary this based on their experience and opinion.

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How Is A Uti Diagnosed

To find out whether you have a UTI, your doctor or nurse will test a clean sample of your urine. This means you will first wipe your genital area with a special wipe. Then you will collect your urine in midstream in a cup. Your doctor or nurse may then test your urine for bacteria to see whether you have a UTI, which can take a few days.

If you have had a UTI before, your doctor may order more tests to rule out other problems. These tests may include:

A cystogram. This is a special type of x-ray of your urinary tract. These x-rays can show any problems, including swelling or kidney stones.
A cystoscopic exam. The cystoscope is a small tube the doctor puts into the urethra to see inside of the urethra and bladder for any problems.

It’s Not Actually A Uti

“People often perceive a UTI that’s not a UTI,” Dr. Herati says.

Some may experience burning when they urinate and other symptoms of UTI, and those problems can improve with antibiotics. However, if what you think is a UTI keeps coming back â and particularly if you also experience discomfort during intercourse â it may be pelvic floor dysfunction.

In this condition, you’re unable to properly control the muscles of your pelvic floor, per the Cleveland Clinic. It has a wide variety of causes, including stress and anxiety, an enlarged prostate and pelvic pain conditions, Dr. Herati says.

âThe fix:â See your doctor for a urine culture, which is more specific than urinalysis and can help reveal an accurate diagnosis, Dr. Herati says.

If you indeed have a dysfunction, pelvic floor physical therapy or biofeedback to retrain your muscles can help. So can medications such as muscle relaxants or Cialis, Dr. Herati says.

Everyday relaxation practices like yoga or meditation can also provide relief by helping you learn to relax the pelvic floor muscles, and because “stress and anxiety are drivers of the dysfunction,” Dr. Herati explains. “Stress reduction with yoga, meditation and psychotherapy play a big role in symptom reduction and resolution.”

Its Actually Not A Uti

One of the most common puppy issues that pops up is a dog who develops symptoms that look just like a urinary tract infection. They pee frequently and struggle with house training because of it. They may even strain to urinate or lick their private areas.

If its a female puppy, it could be puppy vaginitis. This sometimes frustrating condition appears for no good reason and sometimes sticks around for a while. Affected puppies can have a thick mucoid vaginal discharge with a very reddened vulva. Antibiotics can seem to help but this problem can also fix itself if given enough time.

However, puppies tend to dribble a bit before/after they pee and that can cause urine to collect and gum up the hair in front of the prepuce. This can also happen with female puppies as well so if you note matted fur around their private parts, you may need to trim it very carefully!

What about a behavioral cause? Ive seen dogs break with house-training when something changes in the household and they start having accidents in the house. This can happen due to new people in the home, a major change in the daily schedule, or even something as simple as a male child maturing and the dog smelling hormones that werent there before.

The Link Between Utis And Sex: Causes And How To Prevent Them

How do you get a UTI (urinary tract infection)?

One common way women get urinary tract infections is by having sex. But that doesn’t mean you have to banish sex from your life to prevent painful infections.

Mosuno/Stocksy

Pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections arent the only consequences of having sex. For some women, a urinary tract infection can also be a result.

Blame it on anatomy, which makes a UTI more likely for women than for men, says Sujata Yavagal, MD, a urogynecologist at Baptist Health South Florida in Miami.

Still, it isnt inevitable that having sex will cause a UTI. Taking proper precautions can minimize your odds.

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How To Feel Better

If your healthcare professional prescribes you antibiotics:

Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
Do not share your antibiotics with others.
Do not save antibiotics for later. Talk to your healthcare professional about safely discarding leftover antibiotics.

Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Your healthcare professional might also recommend medicine to help lessen the pain or discomfort. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics.

What Are The Symptoms Of A Uti

Not surprisingly, some of the symptoms of a UTI involve the frequency and quality of pee. Women suffering from a UTI, whether they get the infection from sex or other ways, can have a strong urge to urinate, have cloudy or red or pink urine, and may experience pain or burning during urination.

You might also get fever, shaking, or chills, and even pain in your upper back, your side, or the pelvic region.

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Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back

If your UTI comes back after treatment, or you have 2 UTIs in 6 months, a GP may:

prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
prescribe a vaginal cream containing oestrogen, if you have gone through the menopause
refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments

In some people, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection, even though you have UTI symptoms.

This may mean you have a long-term UTI that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatments.

Long-term UTIs are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.

You Have A Structural Problem

Informative Illustration Of Urinary Tract Infections Stock Vector ...

In people assigned male at birth, recurrent UTIs may suggest you have an enlarged prostate, Dr. Herati says.

Both of these conditions can hinder your ability to fully empty your bladder, which turns the bladder into a warm swimming pool of urine where E. coli loves to breed, Dr. Ellerkman says.

âThe fix:â If you have recurrent UTIs caused by an enlarged prostate, surgery may be necessary, Dr. Herati says. Talk to your physician about your options.

If your UTIs are due to pelvic organ prolapse, doing kegels can often help the condition from worsening, Dr. Ellerkman says. It can also help to work with a pelvic floor physical therapist to be sure you’re performing kegels properly.

When To See A Doctor

Its always a good idea to reach out to a doctor if youre experiencing those UTI symptoms, because remember, UTIs can affect the kidneys without prompt treatment. But this is especially important if youre susceptible to recurrent UTIs. As you can see, there are various treatment optionsand potential preventive methodsthat may be able to keep that terrible burning to a minimum.

Additional reporting by Laura Adkins.

Uti Tests And Diagnosis

If you suspect that you have a urinary tract infection, go to the doctor. You’ll give a urine sample to test for UTI-causing bacteria.

If you get frequent UTIs and your doctor suspects a problem in your urinary tract, they might take a closer look with an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI scan. They might also use a long, flexible tube called a cystoscope to look inside your urethra and bladder.

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What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system. This type of infection can involve your urethra , kidneys or bladder, .

Your urine typically doesnt contain bacteria . Urine is a byproduct of our filtration systemthe kidneys. When waste products and excess water is removed from your blood by the kidneys, urine is created. Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. However, bacteria can get into the urinary system from outside of the body, causing problems like infection and inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection .

How To Prevent Utis When Youre Sexually Active

Why do you keep getting bladder infections (UTIs)? (pelvic physio perspective)

You don’t have to stop having sex to prevent UTIs. Here are some steps you can take to minimize bacteria buildup and reduce your risk of getting UTIs from sex.

Urinate before sex and promptly after. This will flush your system and keep bacteria that has entered your urinary tract from gaining a foothold.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, then have an extra glass after intercourse. This will help rid your urinary tract of unwanted bacteria.
Use a vaginal lubricant. Friction during sex can irritate the urethra.
Consider a new form of birth control. If youre prone to UTIs, you may want to avoid using a diaphragm or spermicide as your form of pregnancy prevention. These can introduce bacteria into the area and can kill off healthy bacteria that keep the problem germs in check.

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Your Diet Is High In Bladder

Some people experience bladder sensitivity. If youre one of them, your bladder may become inflamed due to the foods you eat and beverages you drink. This inflammation increases the risk of infection-causing bacteria growth in the urinary tract. Foods and beverages that can trigger bladder sensitivity include:

Youve Got A Cold The Flu Or Allergies

You may be tempted to curse your seasonal sneezes, a cold, or the dreaded flu for making your life even more miserable with a UTI, but these ailments arent the cause. The meds you take to manage symptoms could be.

Though theyre the bomb at keeping your runny or stuffy nose in check, antihistamines and decongestants might make you go less by causing urinary retention. And see No. 6 that may lead to a UTI.

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How To Prevent A Uti In Your 60s

Theyre painful, irritating and often arrive at the most inopportune times, and unfortunately urinary tract infections are all too common among both men and women.

Women in particular are more prone to UTIs, which can become more frequent as we age due to changes down there.

While there are prescription and over-the-counter drugs to treat UTIs, there are also a number of natural ways you can prevent getting one in the first place and avoid those painful trips to the toilet.

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Ayurvedic Treatment For Urine Infection

Ayurvedic and Unani medicines are also very helpful in the treatment of urinary tract infections. A combination of allopathic antibiotics and herbal alkalizers/diuretics is very effective. These preparations prevent damage to your kidneys and manage burning sensations. Use following herbal medicines for the treatment of UTI with the doctors advice.

Sharbat-e-Bazoori 10-15 ml once a day in the morning hours
Tablet Neeri 1 tablet morning and 1 tablet in the evening with water
Syrup Renalka 10 ml thrice a day with water

When urine becomes more acidic causes a burning sensation. To control the PH value and control the acidic medium of urine, alkalizers are used. The name of urine infection syrup is Alkasol, Neeri, and Renalka.

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Can Recurrent Utis Be A Sign Of Cancer

Both UTIs and bladder cancer can cause similar symptoms, such as a frequent need to urinate and even blood in the urine, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center.

According to the American Cancer Society, urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, and other causes of chronic bladder irritation have been linked to bladder cancer. However, its not clear whether recurrent urinary or bladder infections can actually cause bladder cancer or whether they constitute a true risk factor for bladder cancer.

The biggest known risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. The risk of bladder cancer also increases with age. Most people who get bladder cancer are over the age of 55.

If you think you may have chronic or recurrent UTIs, its best to get checked out by your doctor. Your provider can rule out other health issues, including bladder cancer, and get you the treatment you need to get rid of chronic UTIs.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Treatments

Here are some treatments that are commonly used for successful treatment of chronic UTIs. Keep in mind that treatments employed will depend on the cause of the UTI:

The primary treatment for UTIs is a course of antibiotics delivered over one week however, for chronic UTIs, if the patient takes low dose antibiotics long term or after sexual intercourse, it will help to prevent future UTIs.
Along with prescribing antibiotics, the doctor may want to monitor the urinary system more closely using home urine tests. These are easy to do, and they are very effective at properly diagnosing the problem.
Drinking cranberry juice and taking Vitamin C supplements can make your urine more acidic, which decreases the potential for bacteria growth while also keeping your heart and immune system healthy.
If the chronic UTI occurs in combination with menopause, the patient may want to consider vaginal estrogen therapy in order to limit risk for future UTIs.

Consult your doctor before starting a treatment regimen. Chronic Urinary Tract Infections can be very painful, but with a little bit of time, the proper diagnosis, and patience, they can be a thing of the past.