To your Health: Tips on maintaining a healthy urinary tract
Urinary tract health isn’t top of mind for many women until they experience the problem first hand. One in five women will have at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in her lifetime. And as any woman who has encountered a bladder infection can tell you, there are few ailments more uncomfortable and inconvenient.
A urinary tract infection is what happens when bacteria (germs) get into the urinary tract and multiply, causing redness, swelling and pain. If not treated promptly, the bacteria can travel up to the kidneys and cause a more serious type of infection.
Research shows drinking cranberry juice cocktail every day may help promote urinary tract health. Cranberries contain natural compounds the help prevent certain bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract and causing infection. Cranberry juice cocktail should not be used as a treatment for infection, but may be an effective part of a prevention routine. If an infection is suspected, a health care professional should be consulted on proper treatment and management.
While there’s no proven way to totally prevent UTIs, the National Kidney Foundation suggests some steps to help reduce your risk for developing this painful condition.
- Drink plenty of fluids. Studies have shown that drinking 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail every day may help reduce the chance of developing UTIs. Cranberry juice cocktail contains compounds that may actually inhibit certain bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract wall.
- Urinate when you feel the urge; don’t postpone going to the bathroom.
- Wipe from front to back after, to prevent bacteria from the intestines from getting into the urinary tract.
- Cleanse the genital area every day and before having intercourse.
For more information on urinary tract health, go to the National Kidney Foundation web site at: www.kidney.org
|
