UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection. It is defined as an infection in the urinary system, including your kidneys, urethra, ureters, and bladder.

And is one of the most common infections in humans. Most UTI cases happen in the urethra and bladder. However, it can still happen in the ureters and kidney, in the upper tract.

Upper tract UTI are actually more rare than lower tract UTI, and they’re usually more severe. Women have the highest chance to get UTI. It is a common occurrence for people especially women to get UTI repeatedly. It is caused by bacteria, germs, and in rare cases caused by viruses. Having UTI can be difficult when peeing.

This condition can affect your daily routine and can be annoying at times since this infection can happen repeatedly.

Women are more susceptible because a woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s and is closer to the anus.

The woman’s urethra is also close to the vagina, and can collect bacteria during intercourse or when left uncleaned.

Therefore, the bacteria from the anus and vagina has a very close range and allow infections from happening.

Additionally, post-menopausal women are at a higher risk because of the change in pH in the vagina, making it more susceptible to infection.

This is why doctors tell women to wipe starting from the front to back after using the bathroom.

Proper hygiene and proper cleaning of your private parts are key to avoiding UTI. The most common cause of UTI is by getting E.coli, which is the bacteria from the large intestines that can sometimes get caught in the urethra.

People who leave UTI untreated are more prone to kidney problems.

Having UTI is pretty difficult and annoying because peeing can be very painful. There are several symptoms for UTI, this includes:

• Burning sensation while peeing

• Pain in the lower abdomen or back

• Fever or chills

• Increased urge to pee even if there’s none

• Cloudy urine

• Blood in urine

• Urine that looks similar to iced tea

• Urine that has a strong odor

• Pelvic pain in women

• Rectal pain in men

• Feeling tired

There are actually 3 types of UTI, and each type has its own definition.

Pyelonephritis - This type of UTI affects the kidneys. The symptoms of this infection are fever, nausea, chills, pain in the back, and vomiting.

Cystitis - This type of UTI affects the bladder. This causes you to pee more frequently with a painful sensation. Symptoms include abdomen pain and cloudy or bloody urine.

Urethritis - This on the other hand, affects the urethra. And causes a burning sensation when you pee.

Antibiotics are the main treatment for UTI. It can help you fight off the infection but there are side effects.

The side effects include nausea, vomiting, rash, and headache. Oftentimes, people who use antibiotics have an increased risk of the bacteria to resist it.

This is even more likely when people do not follow doctor’s instructions properly. With this result, doctors are trying to reduce the use of antibiotics, especially when there are other possible treatments.

As a matter of fact, the body contains a variety of bacteria that help with bodily functions.

But because of antibiotics, the good bacteria decreases, which results in the likelihood of other infections to occur.

Because of this, people have come up with various natural remedies for UTI and lifestyle changes to help avoid and alleviate its symptoms.

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Urinate As Soon As You Feel Like Peeing

Frequent urination helps wash out the bacteria in the urinary tract. Which obviously helps you avoid the chance of getting UTI.

Increase Vitamin C

Vitamin C is thought to affect the urine by increasing its acidity, thereby killing the bacteria causing the infection.

A study based on pregnant women found that vitamin C works by cutting the risk of UTI. Vitamin C is a very convenient one because it can be found in many fruits and vegetables.

These include, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, pomelo, guava, and many more.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water gives electrolytes, nutrients, and moisturizes the body. Water helps the urinary tract remove waste from the body.

Hydration dilutes the urine, making it harder for bacteria to reach cells. The amount of water that a person shall consume is 8 glasses per day.

Wipe From Front To Back

This is one of the most effective ways to avoid getting UTI. This is because UTI develops when bacteria from the feces goes near the urethra — the small passage that allows urine to flow out of the body.

Bacteria in the urethra will eventually reach the urinary tract which leads to UTI. So it is necessary to wipe from front to back after urinating.

Drink Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is one of the healthiest ones. This is because it contains antioxidants, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Take note that this is one of the most popular remedies for UTI. People traditionally use this to help treat infections and speed up the healing process of wounds.

Take Probiotics

Probiotics is known to be beneficial bacteria that is good for the body. Lactobacillus probiotics may help keep the urinary tract healthy and free from bacteria.

Probiotics include, yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, yakult, etc. Based on a study, people who take lactobacillus supplements while on antibiotics for UTIs may develop less antibiotic resistance than people not taking them.

Peeing After Intercourse

Bacteria forms during sexual intercourse. By practicing proper hygiene can greatly reduce the number of bacteria during intercourse.

Proper hygiene after intercourse include, urinating right after intercourse, using condoms, and just simply washing your genitals.

Mild symptoms of UTI can be treatable using these natural remedies and lifestyle changes. It won’t hurt to try these before taking antibiotics.

But if you have severe symptoms, then it's better to take your concern to the doctor. The treatment for UTI shall be done immediately. Leaving untreated UTIs can lead to more severe symptoms and problems.

It is important to seek medical attention and recommendation if you think you have UTI. Early treatment of urinary infection can help to prevent infection spreading to the bladder or kidneys.