Prevention of UTIs is ideal

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most common ailments and can affect adults and children alike. Every year, 8-10 million visits to doctors occur because of UTIs.

To avoid the painful experience, here are some ways you can reduce your risk of a urinary tract infection.

• Drink water! It is helpful to be well hydrated so that your bladder can work efficiently. Respond to your body’s thirst with a drink.
• Urinate Fully. Do not rush urination. Empty your bladder completely when you use the toilet.
• Urinate on Demand. Do not hold in your urine. Use the toilet when you feel the urge to.
• Use Condoms. During intercourse, condoms can reduce the risk of a UTI. Just beware of spermicide-lubricated condoms. According to WebMD.com, these can actually increase your risk of developing a UTI.
• Urinate After Sex. After intercourse, urinating can flush out any bacteria that might have found its way to your urethra.
• Wipe From Front to Back. When using the toilet, avoid any bacteria transfer from the rectum by wiping the correct way 100% of the time.
• Wear Cotton Underwear. Breathable cotton is a good fabric to avoid trapping moisture and breeding bacteria near your urethra.

Let our Houston area urologists diagnosis your UTI

You might not know for sure if you have a UTI unless you consult a doctor. At Houston Metro Urology, we will determine if you have a urinary tract infection by examining samples of your urine under a microscope.

If an infection is present, we may also perform a urine culture, a process in which bacteria from infected urine are grown in a laboratory. The germs can then be identified and tested to see which drugs will provide the most effective treatment. It often takes a day or two to complete this testing.

If you suffer from recurring urinary tract infections or other problems urinating, we can help diagnose and treat you. Give us a call today.