Reduce Your Risk of Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection is a painful and irritating infection of the bladder that can in many cases be easily prevented. The everyday activities that you may or may not take part in play a huge role in whether or not you will suffer from multiple urinary tract infections (UTIs) in your lifetime. Here are some things that you can do to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections and to treat the infection if you already have it.

Urinary Tract Infections Are All About Infection

There are many basic steps that you can take right now to prevent a urinary tract infection. For one, don't wear silk underwear or any other underwear that is not a loose breathable cotton type. Not only does silk underwear leave you in a sweat, it allows heat and bacteria to build up and it also increases your risk of a yeast infection as well. Face it-you don't want an infection down there no matter what type so steer clear of the non breathable fabrics when it comes to the undies!

Your Sex Life Plays a Role in UTIs

If you are very sexually active you are also more likely to have more urinary tract infections. Whether you are happily married and have one partner or you have multiple partners plays little role in this matter but the frequency of times that you are sexually active does play into the frequency or possibility of having a bladder infection. The best thing you can do-make sure that you always use the bathroom before and after sexual encounters! It sounds weird, but sexual activity leaves you open to bacteria and if the bacteria makes its way into the bladder you can end up suffering from a UTI. Going to the bathroom will help to flush out any bacteria before it makes it all the way up the urethra and into the bladder itself.

How Long You Wait to Go to the Bathroom Plays a Part Too!

That's right, if you need to go to the restroom-GO! The longer you wait, the more your bladder stretches out and over years of this happening you will eventually be left with a less sensitive bladder that is unable to release itself completely when you use the bathroom. If you cannot fully empty your bladder, you will have bacteria left behind which can cause painful urinary tract infections. If you've gotta pee just do it!

Foods Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections Before they Start

Certain foods are great for preventing urinary tract infections before they start. Berries such as cranberries and blueberries contain antioxidants that will help to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections. Cranberry juice is often prescribed if you already have a UTI but your best bet is to stop the infection in its tracks by drinking at least 2 glasses of cranberry juice every day. If you already have a UTI, it can't hurt to get those antioxidants into your bladder but you should also consult your physician for the proper antibiotics to treat the infection so that it doesn't escalate into a kidney infection which can be very serious.