How to Avoid Getting Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause nearly 8.5 million doctor visits every year, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Women are more likely to get this type of infection, but men can be affected too. Urinary tract infections can cause symptoms such as frequent, painful urination; cloudy, or pinkish-red colored urine (if there's blood present); strong-smelling urine; back pain below the ribs; fever and chills, and nausea and vomiting. Common treatment for this condition is antibiotics. There are simple precautions you can take to avoid getting urinary tract infections.

1. Drink Plenty of Water Each Day
Urinary tract infections are commonly caused by harmful bacteria in the urethra. Drinking an ample amount of water every day helps flush the bacteria out. A good guideline to follow, according to the Mayoclinic.com, is to drink "eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid" every day.

2. Avoid Using Feminine Deodorant Sprays, Douches and Bubble Baths
These products can irritate the urethra and give the bacteria that causes urinary tract infections a chance to enter into it. (For more information about sprays, read "The Problems with Using Feminine Deodorant Sprays" .)

3. Wipe the Toilet Paper From the Front to the Back After Using the Bathroom
If you wipe your crotch from the back towards the front, you can easily spread bacteria from the anus into the vagina or urethra. To avoid getting urinary tract infections, start at the front and wipe towards the back instead.

4. Urinate and Wash Your Genital Area Before and After Sexual Intercourse
By urinating and emptying the bladder before you have sex, and washing your crotch with soap and water, that will help remove harmful bacteria that causes urinary tract infections. Sexual intercourse can push bacteria up into the urethra. Immediately after sex, urinate again and rewash your crotch to remove additional bacteria.

5. Don't Wait to Urinate
Holding urine for an extended period of time after you first feel the urge stretches your bladder. If you do this repeatedly, over time, the bladder will become weaker. A weak bladder doesn't completely empty out. Leftover urine in the bladder can cause urinary tract infections.

Resources
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/Kudiseases/pubs/utiadult/
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/urinary-tract-infections-in-teens-and-adults-topic-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283