What You Should Know About Urinary Tract Infections

October 10, 2018

If you’re a woman, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve had a urinary tract infection (UTI). Some studies indicate that as many as 1 out of 2 women have had one, with some women experiencing chronic infections. Now, that’s a whole lot of misery, so we’re going to offer you some tips on how to prevent UTIs in the first place. However, UTIs are sneaky and quite tenacious, so we’ll tell you what you should do if you get one.

What causes UTIs?

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria, often E. coli from the large intestine, infects the urethra—the tube responsible for expelling urine from the bladder. To prevent such infections, it’s crucial to adopt hygienic practices, such as wiping from front to back after using the bathroom. Ignoring the symptoms of a UTI can lead to further complications, including the infection spreading to the kidneys, which might necessitate kidney disease treatments. Women are particularly at a higher risk for UTIs due to having shorter urethras, which allows bacteria easier access to the bladder.

Symptoms of a UTI

UTI Infographic

You have a UTI. Now what?

Your best course of action is to drop by one of our 10 locations to see one of our providers. You’ll be asked to give a urine sample, which will be tested for the bacteria that causes UTIs. You’ll probably be prescribed antibiotics to kill off those pesky invaders. Remember to finish all your prescribed medicine, and to drink lots of water to flush the bacteria from your system. Your provider may also prescribe you pain meds to help you get over your infection more comfortably.

Cranberry Juice is refreshing, but it’s no treatment.

There’s a common misconception that cranberry juice is good for treating UTIs. While cranberry juice is quite refreshing over ice, it’s definitely not a cure. According to a review of 24 studies that evaluated the effectiveness of cranberry juice/extracts on UTIs, there is no conclusive evidence to indicate that cranberry products reduce the incidence of UTIs.