JOIN USUrinary tract infections (UTI) are the most common bacterial infection seen by doctors in their outpatient practice these days. It affects women far more frequently than it does men.
It is not uncommon to see women working for long hours these days. Women as such are more prone to UTIs by virtue of their anatomies, that is, a shorter urethra, which allows easy access to UTI, allowing microbes easy access to the urinary bladder, leading to their subsequent multiplication.
Sexual activity is the other major risk factor for frequent UTI in females. Need for proper hygiene before and after sexual intercourse is of paramount importance. UTI is now more commonly seen in teenagers and individuals in their early twenties due to their early engagement in sexual activity. There is also another school of thought that suggests
genetic predisposition as a factor for increased incidence and recurrence amongst certain individuals.
Even during summers, there is always a rise in the cases of UTIs, besides rise in ailments like stones in the kidney. The main reason for this is that during summers, water evaporates quickly from the body leading to concentrated urine. Other factors contributing to the increase in the incidence of UTI among working women are:
Lower consumption of water/fluids
Dehydration
Using workplace washrooms with
contaminated water sources
Stress of work/ improper diet, which leads to impairment of immunity
The symptoms of UTI include:
Burning sensation while passing urine
Frequency of urination
Lower abdomen pain
Blood mixed with urine
Fever with severe loin pain in cases of complicated UTIs
It’s actually quite easy to prevent UTI. Here are some effective ways:
Increase water/fluid intake
Maintain genital hygiene
Eat a balanced and healthy diet
(especially Vitamin C rich food)
Do a routine health check to rule out anaemia
Avoid ill-maintained public toilets
(The author is consultant urologist & andrologist, Narayana Multispecialty Hospital, Bengaluru)