Did you know a urinary tract infection can affect you more as you age? Yes, that’s true, and it is especially true for women. About half of women may get a UTI sometime in their lifetime. Urinary tract infection, or UTI as it is commonly known, is a common bacterial infection that affects the human body.
Since it is an infection, usually a doctor tends to treat it with antibiotics. UTI is often a recurring disorder and assails most of us. However, in older people, it is often misdiagnosed, and it is all the more important to recognize the symptoms and treat it the right way. The symptoms can be scary, and the searing pain can make you avoid and reduce bathroom visits. But that isn’t the solution.
Then what is? We always tell you to follow the doctor’s advice when you are treating any infection. These tips are there to reduce your symptoms and make you feel better, which is always on the agenda!
Stay hydrated
UTI is an infection, and it usually may affect other parts of the urinary tract such as the bladder, the urethra, or the ureter. Most of the doctors try to treat their UTI patients with antibiotics. However, it is said that the human body has the power to treat minor infections on its own. Keep the doctor on the loop while you try first to try the general hacks, such as drinking a lot of water. Adequate water can help flush away the harmful bacteria. And how much should you drink to keep infections such as UTIs at bay? Well, the magic amount seems to be at least two to three liters of water. Water is the elixir that can treat several disorders.
Are you delaying urination? A strict no-no!
Most women try to hold their urge to urinate. Did you know that something as seemingly harmless as stopping to urinate may create further problems for you, and the infection may tend to linger in the system for longer periods, making it worse? When you feel the urge, don’t dwell on other things. Go!
Drink cranberry juice
This is one of the most potent juices to treat something like urinary tract infections. If you want to go au natural, try cranberry juice. We don’t know the science behind it, but it can help flush out the tract bacteria if you don’t get the natural stuff! You can get it at your nearby departmental store too. But look at the back of the carton to rule out the addition of any harmful additives, which can do more harm than good.
Use probiotic flora
Probiotics have been officially recognized as the best buddies for your gut since they flood your gut with the good kind of bacteria. The good bacteria that nudge away the bad bacteria, helping your gut and urinary tract bacteria-free.
Probiotics produce more hydrogen peroxide in the urine. It has strong Ph balancing qualities and ensures that the bad guys die an untimely death in an unfavorable environment. Don’t much like the yogurt? Don’t worry. There are many options available such as kombucha, kimchi, and homemade pickles too!
Consume more Vitamin C-enriched foods
Vitamin C is another powerful weapon in your arsenal! Consume at least 75 mg of Vitamin C if you are a woman and 90 gms of the vitamin if you are a man. It reacts with nitrates and slays the baddie! In this case, the bacteria!
Wipe from front to back
Always ensure to clear the passage from the rectum to the urethra with water or toilet paper immediately after urination. This is the passage of choice for the bacteria to enter the urethra from the rectum. And then it starts to proliferate.
A UTI is an infection that may occur in any part of the urinary system like the kidneys, the bladder, the ureter, and the urethra. Recurring UTIs is a cause for concern for most elderly and may indicate an underlying condition such as diabetes, kidney stones. However, there is no reason to get panicked just yet. You can detect it through a simple lab test. Follow the easy-to-follow tips to prevent the condition and lead a pain-free life. However, if the problems continue to persist, do visit a healthcare professional.