Urinary tract infections are indeed painful and take a toll on your body if the symptoms worsen.
The burning sensation, constant trips to the bathroom and the annoying feeling of not being able to empty the urinary bladder are enough to make you feel miserable.
But did you know that some everyday habits might silently worsen your UTI? Certain things you might be doing right now could irritate your bladder and delay your recovery process.
In this blog, we’ve highlighted five things you should stay away from to kick that bacterial infection to the curb as quickly as possible.
Plus, we’ve mentioned some expert advice from Dr. Asrar Sheikh, MD at Family Urgent Care, that he shares with his patients suffering from UTI. Let’s cut to the chase!
1. Avoid Drinking Alcohol or Coffee Beverages
If you have a UTI, it is essential to be mindful of what you’re eating or drinking. Alcohol can irritate your bladder by increasing the acidity level of urine, worsening your symptoms.
Not to mention, alcohol and coffee are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to dehydrating your body. Why? Both drinks act as diuretics which means they promote urine production, leaving you rushing to the bathroom consistently.
This frequent urination flushes out more water than you can hold onto, drying you out and making it harder for the bacteria to flush out.
Apart from alcohol, also refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages such as tea or soda as it might trigger the symptoms more.
Clearing a UTI infection takes almost a week or two. So, for a few days, instead of reaching your usual pick-me-up, try switching to water or herbal teas to help flush out the bacteria and improve your symptoms.
2. Eating Spicy or Acidic Foods Might Irritate Your Bladder
Can’t resist those spicy meals? It’s important to have a well-balanced and nutritional diet when you’re suffering from a bacterial infection.
Doctors often recommend avoiding those foods or fruits that would make you feel worse or cause irritation while urinating.
Spicy foods such as hot sauce or hot curry that contain chili peppers are well known to trigger the lining of your bladder and promote inflammation.
When dug deeper for scientific evidence, many studies have suggested that spicy foods contain capsaicin which aggravates the burning sensation in your stomach and urinary bladder.
As a result, symptoms like urinary incontinence, burning sensation while urinating or lower abdomen pain may worsen. Therefore, you need to be careful and avoid such trigger foods.
3. Do Not Stop Taking Your Antibiotics Until Full Course Is Completed
Antibiotics are typically prescribed for 3, 7, or 14 days, depending on the severity of your UTI.
While it might be tempting to stop taking them once you start feeling better, don’t be fooled! Improvement in symptoms doesn’t mean the bacteria has been eliminated completely from the urinary tract.
Therefore, if you stop taking the medicines early, it might cause a recurring UTI with even severe symptoms.
That’s why it’s essential to follow the doctor’s instructions and complete the entire course of antibiotics so the pesky infection is completely wiped out.
Stick with the prescription, and your body will thank you in the long run!
4. Avoid Bubble Baths, Hot Tubs or Swimming Pools
Let’s bust a common myth! You can’t get UTI sitting in a bubble bath, hot tub, or a swimming pool. But here’s the catch! Experts worry that these spots can still be a trouble if you have UTI. Here’s why:
- Bubble or foam baths often contain surfactants that are well known to irritate the urethra, especially in case of infection. There are chances that it might trigger an inflammation response, worsening your symptoms.
- Warm and moist environments are a playground for bacteria, therefore, soaking too long could make your symptoms worse.
- Some swimming pools or public tubs do not have the perfect chemical balance which can be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to grow and thrive.
- Chlorine in swimming pools can irritate your urinary tract, adding further discomfort to your day.
The worst part? If you sit in a wet swimsuit for a longer period, the bacteria can multiply quickly. (Remember! These organisms love wet environments!)
Now! It doesn’t mean you need to avoid the water completely. You can play it safe by sticking to short dips and swapping the wet swimsuit for dry clothes ASAP!
5. Avoid Relying On Over-The-Counter Medicines Only
It is a common practice to grab some over-the-counter medicines or try a few home remedies during early symptoms of UTI like burning while peeing, lower abdominal pain, cloudy urine, etc.
While over-the-counter medicines can make you feel better for a short period, but here’s the deal! They won’t help in curing the infection.
OTC drugs can only mask the symptoms of UTI but can’t kick out the bacteria. Therefore, if you do not tackle it with the right treatment, the infection may worsen and even reach your kidneys.
That’s why it’s important to get in touch with your healthcare provider as soon as you notice early symptoms. The provider would take some tests to confirm bacterial infection and prescribe you antibtiotics accordingly.
Early action means a quicker recovery and less chance of things going downhill, so don’t wait around—deal with your UTI the right way from the start.
What To Do If You’re Suffering From A UTI Right Now?
“If you start to feel the symptoms of a suspected urinary tract infection and you haven’t yet consulted a healthcare provider, make an appointment to see your doctor,” says Dr. Sheikh, MD at Family Urgent Care. “The sooner you begin the antibiotics, the faster you recover”.
At home, you can take the following steps right now to curb your symptoms, Dr. Sheikh recommends:
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily as it would help flush out the bacteria from the kidneys or urinary bladder.
- You can also drink cranberry juice if you like it. Cranberry extract is well known to prevent the adhesion of bacteria inside the urinary bladder.
- If your fever continues even after 48 hours of antibiotic or your symptoms return after you have finished your medicines, connect with you healthcare provider right away.
- Complete the course of antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor.
Now, you may be wondering if you can go to urgent care facilities for UTI or not! Keep reading further!
Can You Go To Urgent Care For UTI?
Absolutely! Urgent care centers are a great option for diagnosing and treating the urinary tract infection. No need to wait in discomfort! You can even walk into the clinic or book a prior appointment.
With quick tests and a prescription for antibiotics, you’ll be on your way to feeling better in no time!
Some urgent care centers even have built-in lab facilities so that you do not need to bear the hustle of traveling to other lab facilities and get tested without any delays right away.
Want to know when an urgent care facility is the best option for you? Read this blog further: When Can I Go To Urgent Care Clinic?
Walk Into Family Urgent Care If You Have UTI
All in all, dealing with a urinary tract infection can feel like a real headache if the symptoms do not improve.
But worry not! You contact our healthcare providers for quick assistance and visit our clinic nearby.
We have minimal waiting times if you’re walking into the clinic. However, if you book a prior appointment, you can directly check in at the scheduled time.
Not to mention, we have a built-in lab facility where our trained medical staff can take your necessary lab tests to help the doctor in diagnosis.
So, do not delay getting your treatment and contact us right away.
FAQs
What should UTI patients avoid?
If you’re suffering from UTI, take the following precautions:
- Avoid drinking alcohol, caffeinated beverages or sodas as they may trigger your symptoms.
- Do not stop your medicines on your own but follow the doctor’s advice
- Do not delay in seeking medical treatment once you suspect a UTI.
- Avoid swimming pools, hot tubs or public baths if you have an active urinary tract infection.
- Do not eat spicy or acidic foods as it may worsen your symptoms.
Can I swim with a UTI?
It is better to avoid swimming if you an active urinary tract infection. This is because the chemicals in the swimming pool can irritate your urethra (tube that lets urine leave your bladder and body). Furthermore, if you spend long hours in swimming pools or lakes, there’s an increased risk of bacteria pooling in your swimsuit which can eventually reach your bladder through the urethra.
Can I drink decaf coffee if I have UTI?
Doctors often recommend limiting or avoiding coffee consumption when you have a UTI. Even decaf coffee can cause dehydration which would hinder your recovery from the bacterial infection. Remember, hydration is important for UTI treatment so make sure you replace coffee with water or other juices.
Can chlorine cause UTI?
No, chlorine does not cause UTI but it can trigger an inflammatory response. When you’re suffering from a urinary tract infection, your bladder and urethra are already sensitive. Any exposure to chemicals would further worsen your UTI symptoms.
Can hot tubs cause bladder infections?
If the hot tubs are poorly maintained, yes, you can get UTI from hot tubs. Bacteria love warm and moist environments, therefore, hot tubs can be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, especially E. Coli, known to cause UTI in males and females.