How to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

First Step
Take showers, not baths. Especially for women, lying in a bathtub can make the urethra susceptible to infection, since it's easy for water and bath products to enter the body. Showering eliminates the problem and can go a long way toward preventing urinary tract infections

Second Step
Wear the right underwear. Believe it or not, the underwear you choose can have a big impact on whether you get a UTI. Keep these factors in mind next time you go underwear shopping:

Silk or polyester underwear traps moisture and bacteria against the body, increasing your risk of getting an infection. Cotton is a more breathable fabric, allowing air to circulate and preventing bacterial growth.

Wearing thongs and other tight underwear can also cause a problem. Save these for special occasions and don't wear them for more than a few hours.

Avoid wearing tights and hosiery that aren't made with breathable fabric.

Third Step
Urinate often. Holding urine inside when you feel the urge to go increases the chances that bacteria present near your urethra could make its way inside. Urinating pushes bacteria from the area, reducing the chance of infection.

To flush the area often, drink plenty of water. Try to urinate once every hour or hour and a half.

If your urine is yellow, you should be drinking more water. Try to get eight glasses of day to keep your urinary tract flushed.




Fourth Step
Get moving. Sitting for too long with your legs crossed, especially if you do it on a daily basis, can create the right environment for bacteria to breed. It's important to get up and walk around several times a day.

If you sit at a desk for work, make a point of taking walking breaks in the fresh air outside.

Long airplane rides might make it necessary to sit in one position for hours. When the seatbelt light turns off, get up and walk down the aisle a few times.