While UTIs (urinary tract infections) are most common among women, they affect thousands of men every year as well. UTIs are best treated by using antibiotics, but there are lots of ways to prevent these pesky infections without having to go back to the doctor.

Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Gastonia explains.

• Where to start: Drink plenty of water. This is the easiest and one of the best ways to prevent future UTIs. Staying adequately hydrated will flush harmful bacteria out of your bladder and urinary tract.
• What to do next: Don’t hold your urine for too long. Holding your urine for an extended period of time causes bacteria to build up and will increase your risk of a future UTI.
• Another thing to consider: Wipe front to back. More bacteria hang out around the anus, so wiping front to back lessens the likelihood of them making it to the urethra.
• Something else to try: Stay clean before and after sex. Using soap and water before sex will keep bacteria away from the urethra and urinating afterward pushes out any bacteria that made its way into the urethra.
• More healthy habits to consider: Consume more probiotics and vitamin C by adding foods like oranges, grapefruit, kefir and probiotic yogurt to your diet. Probiotics balance out bacteria levels in the gut and vitamin C increases the acidity of your urine, which, in turn, can kill off infection-causing bacteria.
• A tried-and-true prevention tactic: Unsweetened cranberry juice. Although studies are mixed on whether or not it can actually treat current UTIs, studies do show that cranberry juice definitely helps prevent future UTIs. Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thus preventing infection.
• Doctor recommendations: If you still find yourself with a UTI after trying these prevention tactics, schedule a doctor’s appointment. Life we said earlier, UTIs are often effectively treated with antibiotics, which can be prescribed by your doctor.
• After you’re better: Stay vigilant with your newly implemented healthy habits. If you frequently get UTIs, staying hydrated and clean will go a long way in preventing future infections.

We hope you stay healthy and well this year! If you have any questions or health concerns, don’t hesitate to visit AFC Urgent Care Gastonia today.