Health Tip: Stop Urinary Tract Infections

(HealthDay News) -- One in five women will have at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) in her lifetime, and many have them repeatedly. A UTI can be a sign of a more serious problem, and can bring days of discomfort.

According to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), UTIs are responsible for nearly 10 million doctor visits each year, most caused by one type of bacteria. Women are more susceptible than men, but anyone who has diabetes, a kidney stone, or for men, an enlarged prostate gland, can be more susceptible.

The NKF offers these precautions to reduce your risk:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Studies have shown that drinking 10 ounces of cranberry juice every day may help reduce your chances of developing a UTI. Cranberry juice contains compounds that may actually inhibit certain bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract wall.
• Urinate when you feel the urge. Don''t postpone going to the bathroom.
• Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from the intestines from getting into the urinary tract.
• Cleanse the genital area every day, and before having sex.

-- Nancyann Rella