Summer is right around the corner, and trips to the beach, lounging at the pool and fun in the sun is on the horizon. That being said, it‚s also the season where
urinary tract infections (UTIs) are on the rise.
This week on the Vibrant Health blog, we‚re sharing all about how to spot a UTI and four simple ways to keep your urinary tract health in check this summer.
Urinary Tract Infection 101 & Symptoms
Before we dive into urinary tract infection prevention, let‚s cover the basics. A
UTI is exactly as it sounds: an infection of the urinary tract caused by unwanted bacteria making its way to your bladder.
While they also occur in men, women are much more likely to develop a UTI. In fact, according to the
Urology Care Foundation a whopping 60% of women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime. Other factors such as pregnancy, age and sexual activity can also play a role in your risk factors.
Here are the most common UTI symptoms to look out for according to the CDC:
- Burning or pain while urinating
- Frequent urge to urinate (even when bladder is empty)
- Cramping and pressure in the lower abdomen or groin area
- Bloody urine (cloudy or foul smelling urine may also occur)
4 Tips for Summer Urinary Tract Health
Now that you‚ve got the lowdown on UTIs, here are four simple ways to keep your urinary tract health in check this summer (and hopefully prevent the onset of a UTI altogether).
- Explore Natural Supplements
- Stay Hydrated
- Keep it Clean Down There
- Flush Out Your System
- Explore Natural Supplements
Along with your sunscreen and shades, you may want to consider stashing your beach bag with some extra urinary tract defense this summer ‚ starting with our
U.T. Biotic supplement.
Packed with cranberry extract and probiotics, this daily supplement is designed to promote urogenital health and ward off unwanted bacteria, making it your swimsuit season BFF. Plus, next month we‚ll be offering a NEW product to our U.T. Health product family!
- Stay Hydrated
During the heat of summer, it‚s more important than ever to stay
properly hydrated. And if you needed yet another reason to get your daily dose of H2O, we‚ve got one: it may ward off urinary tract infections. A recent study found that
increased water intake among premenopausal women reduced the risk of recurrent UTIs. We‚ll cheers our reusable water bottle to that!
- Keep it Clean Down There
According to the
Urology Care Foundation, the main reason UTIs are more common in the summertime is that the heat and humidity is a breeding ground for bacteria. That‚s why it‚s key to keep it clean ‚down there‚ by upping your hygiene game this season.
This includes urinating post sex, changing out of wet swimsuits and yes ‚ hydration, hydration, hydration. Consider packing your beach bag with an extra set of dry clothes and natural wet wipes for on-the-go cleansing!
- Flush Out Your System
One of the best ways to prevent UTIs from happening is simply urinating regularly and not ‚holding it in'' (which gives
bacteria the chance to grow within the urinary tract). Luckily, frequent urination can help flush out pesky bacteria before it becomes an issue! So before you hit the beach, be sure to take a pitstop to the restroom; your bladder will thank you.
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.
