Urine generally doesn't contain bacteria, but bacteria can enter the urinary system from the outside and cause infections or inflammation. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can occur in the urethra (urethritis), kidneys (pyelonephritis), or bladder (cystitis).

Although anyone can get a UTI, they are more common in women. This is because women's urethras are shorter and located closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are often found.

When your urinary tract is infected, you may experience frequent urges to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, or urinate very little. Until the infection clears up, there are several things you should avoid:

Foods and Drinks That Worsen UTI Symptoms

As reported by Healthline, studies have found a link between certain foods and drinks and the development of UTI symptoms. Drinking beverages such as soda, caffeinated drinks, and alcohol can irritate the bladder and are linked to symptoms of lower urinary tract infections.

While suffering from a UTI, avoid irritating drinks like coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, or artificially sweetened beverages. Additionally, avoid spicy foods and acidic fruits. The more acidic the foods you consume, the easier it becomes for bacteria to multiply.

Holding Back Urination

Don't hold back urination, especially if you're busy. When you feel the urge to urinate and delay it, you increase the risk of problems in the urinary tract.

Holding in urine allows germs to stay in the bladder longer, giving them more time to multiply. The next time you feel the urge to urinate, drink a glass of water to help flush the germs out of your urinary tract.

Dehydration

Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, which increases the risk of urinary tract infections. Dehydration also allows germs to grow and multiply faster in the urinary tract.

Besides increasing the risk of UTIs, dehydration can cause confusion, fainting, and acute kidney injury, which may require hospitalization.

Drinking plenty of water helps flush the kidneys and bladder, delivering antibiotics to the urinary tract and speeding up the healing of bacterial infections. Staying hydrated also reduces the risk of developing kidney stones.

Not Completing Antibiotics Treatment

Many studies examine how long antibiotics need to be taken to fully eradicate bacteria. Doctors prescribe specific antibiotics for treating UTIs, and these should be taken according to the prescribed instructions and dosage.

Even if you feel better, this doesn't mean the infection is completely gone. Bacteria may still be present in the urinary tract, and stopping the antibiotics prematurely can lead to antibiotic resistance. Always finish the prescribed course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms improve.

Delaying to Visit the Doctor

UTIs are treatable with antibiotics, but delaying treatment increases the risk of complications, such as kidney damage, premature birth, urethral stricture, recurrent infections, and even sepsis (a life-threatening infection).

If you experience symptoms of a UTI, there's no reason to delay seeing a doctor. If symptoms worsen, including high fever, back pain, or vomiting, contact your doctor immediately for further examination and to prevent complications.

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