Mistakes You Should Avoid If You Have Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Listed in this article are a few of the mistakes that women should avoid if they are suffering from Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Tuesday, May 9, 2017, 9:27

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of any part of the urinary system. It can be the urethra, ureters, urinary bladder or even kidney.

Urinary tract can be divided into two as lower urinary tract and upper urinary tract. The infection will first attack the lower tract comprising of urethra and urinary bladder and then move upwards to the upper tract infecting the ureters and kidney.

Majority of UTI cases are caused by the bacterium E.coli, usually found in the digestive system. Bacteria like Chlamydia and Mycoplasma can infect the urethra, but not the bladder. Also if you want to know about the major signs of UTI then click here.

Factors that can increase the likelihood of developing a UTI include sexual intercourse, poor hygiene, problems in emptying the bladder, kidney stones, heavy use of antibiotics, etc.

UTIs are more common in women. Never leave this as a simple issue as the condition can become serious if the infection spreads.

Meanwhile, there are also few foods that helps to fight UTI. If you want to know then click here.

There are certain mistakes you should avoid if you have UTI. Neglecting these simple things can worsen the condition and make the recovery longer.

1. Avoid Self Medication

UTI can be easily brushed off in the beginning stage. The more you delay ,the more complicated will be the case. Self medication may reduce the pain for 2-3 days, but can't cure the condition.You should consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

2. Treat Without Delay

If untreated in the beginning, it will lead to complex kidney infection that should be treated with i.v antibiotics. So if you feel any symptoms of UTI, consult your physician and administer the medicine prescribed by the doctor.

3. Never Avoid The Symptoms

Symptoms of UTI may vary from individual to individual and the same symptoms can also be signs of some other conditions. Common symptoms include stinging or burning while urinating, frequent urination, cloudy or bloody urine and pelvic pain. Sometimes fever and shivering can also occur.

4. Drink More Water

Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated will make the recovery faster as water cleans the walls of the urinary tract and flushes out the bacteria from the bladder when you pee. Depriving your body of water can make the bacteria fester in the urinary bladder. So always keep a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

5. Complete Your Antibiotic Course

You should continue the antibiotic course as prescribed by your physician. Discontinuing the antibiotic when you are feeling better will make the condition worse. It is a common big mistake that can happen. If you are stopping the antibiotic before completing the course, you are making the bacteria resistant. This will make the therapy useless.

6. Stay Away From Sex

UTI is not a sexually transmitted disease, but may arise because of sex. It is best to refrain from sex if you have UTI. Sexual intercourse at this time can push the bacteria from the vagina back into the bladder, causing a new infection.

7. Say Bye To Alcohol And Cigarettes

You should stay away completely from alcohol and coffee. It is recommended to avoid acidic fruits, citrusy sodas, spicy foods, fizzy drink and artificial sweetners. Smoking should also be avoided.

8. Never Hold Your Pee

If you feel the urge to pee, this means your body wants to flush out the bacteria from the system. Holding the pee will make the recovery longer and may lead to some other health issues. In short, holding the urine means holding the bacteria in the bladder itself. So UTI patients should never hold the pee.

These are the common mistakes that can happen to a patient with UTI. So if you are a UTI patient, never skip this article that mentions the mistakes you should avoid if you have UTI.