06-19-2024 Primetime - Flipbook - Page 9
A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, June 19, 2024
happen. And now you’re back to implementing ways to prevent another UTI.
Prevention
Given the discomfort UTIs can cause,
what can you do to prevent them?
“One of the best ways to prevent UTIs
is to stay hydrated,” Zhang says. “The
more water you drink, the more you urinate, which flushes out bacteria from the
urinary tract. Another tip is that when you
wipe, start at the front and wipe towards
the back. This prevents the spread of
bacteria. And when you urinate, stay on
the toilet a little bit longer to ensure you’ve
emptied your bladder completely. If you’re
sexually active, urinating after intercourse
can also eliminate bacteria that could
cause problems.
“As for hygiene, try to avoid douching
or using harsh products like anti-bacterial
wipes or spermicides. These items can
eliminate the good bacteria that is part of
the vaginal microbiome and protect you
from developing UTIs. The best way to
clean is to use a gentle unscented cleanser
and water. And only wash the exterior.
“If you are post-menopausal, there is
an increased risk of developing UTIs due
to decreased estrogen and thinning of the
vaginal tissue. Post-menopausal patients
with recurrent UTIs could, therefore, benefit from vaginal estrogen cream if they
don’t have any contraindications.
In general, though, change your undergarments daily and be careful about your
hygiene. There is mixed data regarding
drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry
supplements to prevent UTIs, but anecdotally, it can be helpful, so go for it.”
Dehydration
There are some people who just don’t
like to drink water or any other liquid that
will keep them hydrated. My mother was
one such person. Time after time, she
would end up in the emergency department where they would give her IV (intravenous) fluids and antibiotics. One time, the
nurse showed her the bag of fluids, about
a liter, and said, “You need two of these
each day just to perform the normal functions of living.” She tried.
And recently, a friend was hospitalized
for dehydration and was there a full week.
He had no idea he wasn’t getting enough
liquids; then he fell. That is what sent my
friend to the hospital.
Zhang talked about the dangers when
you are dehydrated. “Dehydration can lead
to low blood pressure, which could cause
dizziness and lightheadedness. This could
increase your risk for falls, which can
be very dangerous. Dehydration can also
affect your kidneys so they stop functioning as they should. This can cause acute
kidney injury.”
Other things can cause dehydration:
diarrhea, vomiting, fever and sweating too
much. And older adults are more at risk
because they lose their sense of thirst,
or due to some medications they take for
chronic illnesses.
Just know you’re at risk to become
dehydrated. Once it is something you
understand, it’s one less concern to worry
about.
Preventing Dehydration
What liquids are good to ensure you’re
properly hydrated? The Taste of Home
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(www.tasteofhome.com/article/best-andworst-hydrating-drinks-ranked) has a list
of what works and what doesn’t, and why
they are effective…or not.
What Works
First and always, the best is water.
Given all the fancy water bottles available,
pick your favorite, keep it filled and sip
it constantly. There are tons of additives
available; my personal favorite is lemonflavored Chrystal Light. There are also lots
of flavorings like Stur and Mio.
Next is milk. “In addition to calcium and
vitamin D, milk contains protein to keep
you fueled on even the hottest of days,
another thing water can’t do.”
Water infused with fruit is next up
because it adds flavor without sugar. Try
adding lime and basil, or cucumber with
mint.
Other good choices are actual fruit
juices, watermelon (so much of it is water)
and sports drinks. For this last item, watch
All about UTIs,
continued on page 20
