Dos and Don'ts for managing UTI

Usually one often associates Urinary Tract infection (UTI) with married and pregnant women. The latest studies prove that one out of every two women faces UTI. Unfortunately, women are more prone to UTIs than men due to the proximity of their urinary system to their genital organs. Additionally, with the temperatures rising across the country, a woman is at a higher risk of UTI due to lack of hydration. So, let’s start by understanding what UTI is.

“UTI is an infection in any part of the urinary system which includes the kidney, bladder and urethra. The bacteria enter the urinary tract and leads to symptoms like frequency and burning sensation while urination, strong-smelling urine, nausea or vomiting, muscle aches or even pain in the lower part of the stomach. It can give rise to fever and rarely blood in the urine.”, explains Dr Vaishali Joshi, senior Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai.

Even if one does land up with UTI there is nothing to be ashamed about. While over time we are aware that the reasons could involve dehydration, menopause, wearing tight clothes, pregnancy, honeymoon cystitis or even holding your pee for a long time. It is important to know the do's and donts including the precautions to take post that.Precaution and treatment of UTI
1. Drinking plenty of fluids so that you flush out the toxins frequently
2. After urinating, wipe from front to back
3. Avoid deodorants, sprays, perfumes, etc in the genital area that can affect the urethra
4. Drink water to flush the bacteria and empty the bladder soon after intercourse.
5. Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes to keep the area around the urethra dry.
6. Avoid fluids like alcohol and caffeine that can irritate the bladder.
Do’s in UTI
1. If you have a burning sensation while urinating, increase your daily fluid intake.
2. If the doctor has adviced an antibiotics course, complete the course fully. If you stop your treatment in between after feeling better, then there is a risk of antibiotic resistance and you will have UTI repeatedly.
3. Maintain hygiene of your private parts.
4. Drink coconut water, cranberry juice or barley water to fight off UTI along with antibiotics to keep bacteria at bay.
5. Improve your immunity with a healthy balanced diet, rich in antioxidants.

Don’ts in UTI
1. Holding urine for a longer duration.
2. Self-medication and incomplete treatment of UTI
3. Continue to have intimate relations during the treatment of UTI. It can aggravate and delay the cure.
4. Wearing tight innerwear like G- string or synthetic material underwear

One needs to be careful if UTIs happen repeatedly, i.e more than 2-3 infections in 6 months duration, which needs specialist treatment. The routine tests performed are urine microscopic examination and urine culture and sensitivity. This will pick up the type of bacteria causing UTI and the effective antibiotics to clear the infection. The sonography of the kidney and bladder may be needed to look for the aftereffects of UTI.

Inputs by Dr. Vaishali Joshi, senior Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, Mumbai