Common Triggers and Prevention Methods for UTI
UTI is one of the most common bacterial infections, especially in women. UTI is caused due to a variety of reasons and is generally treated with the help of antibiotics. However, once you understand your triggers, it becomes easier to avoid them and manage your condition. To help you, here are some tips to understand w hat triggers UTI and how to manage them.
- Sexual activity – A lot of women experience UTI after sexual intercourse as bacteria from the vaginal or bowel cavity can easily get transferred to the urethra. To lower your risk of suffering from an infection, it is best to urinate thirty minutes before and after sexual activity. Also, it is advisable to clean private parts thoroughly to kill the bacteria, but do not use multiple soap products.
- Constipation – To know what triggers UTI and how to manage them, you need to consider various factors, and one of them is constipation. Being constipated can make it difficult to completely empty your bladder, which means that any trapped bacteria will get enough time to grow and cause UTI. Similarly, diarrhea can also allow the bacteria to conveniently enter into your vagina or urethra. In such a situation, it is better to wipe from front to back to avoid bacterial transmission.
- Holding your urine – This is another common reason for UTI. Holding your urine for six hours or more helps the bacteria to get into the bladder and grow. Hence, if you are on a road trip, then do yourself a favor empty your bladder as many times as possible.Â
- Dehydration – one of the points in what triggers UTI and how to manage them is dehydration. Reports suggest that drinking plenty of water not only quenches your thirst but also helps avoid UTI. When you urinate at regular intervals, your body is able to flush out harmful toxins. So, you must aim to drink seven to eight glasses of water every day to remain hydrated.
- Kidney stones – Kidney stones can block the urinary tract, which gives bacteria time to grow. Hence, if you feel discomfort, then it is better to get yourself checked, as any delay in the treatment of UTI can cause severe damage to the kidneys.
- Uncomfortable underwear – Another unusual point in what triggers UTI and how to manage them is underwear. It may sound surprising but uncomfortable underwear can cause UTI. Wearing a breathable, cotton underwear can prevent the moisture from accumulating and the bacteria from growing.
To prevent the recurrence of UTI, it is best to understand what triggers it. As once you become familiar with the potential causes, it becomes easier for you to manage your condition by simply avoiding such triggers.